Welcome back to The Mirror in the Stall, where we explore the reflections our horses offer us and the deeper connections we can build when we truly listen.

In this episode, I sit down with Susi May, whose journey from traditional horse training to a more intuitive, empowering approach has reshaped the way she connects with horses—and with herself. Moving to Western Australia and working with her horse, Hercules, were pivotal moments in her evolution, leading her to embrace animal communication, presence, and a deeper understanding of emotional connection in training. She shares the personal challenges she faced, including injuries and the pressure of conventional methods, and how those experiences ultimately deepened her awareness of both her own needs and the emotional needs of her horses.

We explore how shifting away from dominance-based methods allows both humans and horses to step into their own power, fostering relationships built on trust and respect. Susi talks about how presence, attunement, and real-world experiences—like her deep connection to the ocean—help her horses feel seen and understood. Amber Lydic joins the conversation, sharing her own experiences of self-discovery through horse training and how redefining success has led her to a more holistic approach. Together, we dive into the emotional and nervous system awareness that plays a crucial role in our interactions with horses, and how practices like grounding exercises and honoring a horse’s voice can create profound transformation for both human and horse.

This conversation isn’t just about training—it’s about how horses teach us to show up fully, embrace our own growth, and build connections that go beyond technique. So take a breath, settle in, and let’s explore what our horses are reflecting back to us today.

Three relationship themes from this conversation:
1. Relationship to Empowerment – Understanding how both humans and horses can step into their own voice and autonomy.
2. Relationship to Presence – How slowing down and truly being with our horses shifts the depth of connection.
3. Relationship to Nature – The healing influence of the natural world, from the ocean to the land, in deepening our awareness and connection with horses.

🎙️ Special Guest Feature: Mandi Dana on Relationships, Self-Awareness & Personal Growth

I’m beyond excited to share this episode with you!

This time, I’m sitting down with the amazing Mandi Dana, a seasoned coach with a deep focus on relationships, self-awareness, and personal growth.

We dive into the real work behind relationships—not just the ones we have with others, but the one we have with ourselves.

Mandi shares how our personal beliefs, past experiences, and unprocessed emotions shape our connections. She also walks us through the difference between relationship misalignment and personal trauma, offering a fresh perspective on healing and growth.

We also talk about:

✨ Feeling misunderstood in relationships (whether it’s with a partner, a friend, or an adult child)

✨ The sneaky ways feelings of inadequacy show up in our lives—and how to shift them

✨ The resistance we face when making big life changes and why self-awareness is key

✨ Emotional regulation, self-judgment, and how to stop fighting your own feelings And, of course, we couldn’t help but explore something unexpected—the role of AI in personal development.

We talk about its potential as a tool, but also why nothing replaces deep human connection. Mandi also introduces her upcoming book, “Joyride”, which is all about stepping into self-empowerment and joy.

This conversation is real, insightful, and packed with those “aha” moments that make you stop and think.

You can catch it on YouTube, the podcast, and all my social channels! Let me know what resonates most with you!

#Relationships #SelfAwareness #HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth #MirrorInTheStall

🎙️ Special Guest Feature: Jenn Acosta on Emotional Healing & Transformation Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share this conversation with you.

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Jenn Acosta, a life coach with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the messy, beautiful journey of emotional healing.

We got deep into why so many of us avoid our feelings—how we get stuck in patterns that feel familiar but aren’t actually serving us. Jenn shares pieces of her own story, from childhood conditioning to a life-changing caregiving experience, and how those moments shaped the way she sees healing today. We also talk about breaking generational cycles, the challenges of parenting through tough emotions, and the power of vulnerability in real transformation.

Jenn even shares one of her favorite tools, the “dream day journal”, to help you reconnect with what you truly want and start shifting out of those old limitations. This conversation is warm, real, and packed with insight.

I can’t wait for you to listen!

Catch it on YouTube, the podcast, and all my social media channels. Make sure to tune in, and let me know what resonates most with you! 💫

#EmotionalHealing #SelfGrowth #MirrorInTheStall #BreakingPatterns #HealingJourney

Money, Energy, and the Deep Journey of Self-Discovery with Natalia Graf In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Natalia Graf for a conversation that is both deeply reflective and powerfully practical. We dive into the importance of truly knowing yourself—the thought patterns you hold, the beliefs that shape your world, and how that awareness is the foundation for everything, including your relationship with money. Money, like anything else, is just energy, and we all have areas where abundance flows easily and others where we feel stuck.

Natalia and I explore these dynamics, shedding light on how to recognize your own patterns and shift your perspective to allow for more expansion, ease, and alignment. Natalia runs a thriving heart-based company, a journey that was deeply inspired by her horse, King. He was there as she found herself, stepped into her purpose, and built something meaningful. And now, even in this next chapter, he continues to challenge her—to go deeper, to step into even more worthiness, and to expand beyond what she’s already created. These horses are always along for the ride, pushing us in ways we don’t always expect but that we always need.

This conversation is packed with both mindset shifts and practical tools to help you stay grounded, focused, and connected to what truly matters. But more than anything, it’s a reminder that we’re all in this together—navigating the ups and downs, finding our way, and supporting each other along the journey. So glad to have you here for this one! Be sure to check out Natalia’s website and connect with her amazing company. https://syncequestrian.com/

To join these conversations live take a peak at the Mirror in the Stall program:

 https://www.amberlydic.com/mirror-in-the-stall-March

Welcome back to The Mirror in the Stall, where we dive into the reflections our horses offer us and the deeper connections we can build when we truly listen. In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Sandy Vreeburg, a lead instructor and co-director of education at the Masterson Method.

Sandy shares her journey into equine bodywork and the powerful ways this method supports not just a horse’s movement and performance, but their overall well-being—physically, emotionally, and even energetically.

She walks us through how tuning into the horse’s nervous system can unlock deeper levels of safety, trust, and healing, reinforcing the idea that connection is the key to everything. We also talk about what it means to create a truly safe space—not just for our horses, but for ourselves.

Sandy gets real about the challenges of unlearning past practices and stepping into new ways of working with horses, where curiosity replaces pressure and presence becomes the most valuable tool.

She shares how this shift has not only changed the way she teaches but has also transformed her own life, offering her a deeper understanding of herself along the way. And of course, we explore the incredible ways horses mirror us back to ourselves.

From the way they respond to authenticity to the neurochemical shifts that happen when they feel safe, Sandy and I discuss how slowing down, paying attention, and truly being with our horses can change everything.

This conversation is for anyone looking to deepen their awareness, not just in their horsemanship but in life. So take a breath, settle in, and let’s explore what our horses are reflecting back to us today.

Find more about the Masterson Method https://mastersonmethod.com/

Previous episodes with Sandy:

https://youtu.be/VXeF6X-gjJA?si=dAINZX0MT86P8iM8

Funny one:

https://youtu.be/ZIl7Tf2l4MY?si=2O0hbdLWiIyWiSk2

Hey there, and welcome back to The Mirror in the Stall—a space where we get to explore the deep, sometimes messy, always beautiful connection between us and our horses.

This series is all about looking inward, because the relationship we have with our horses so often mirrors the one we have with ourselves.

In this conversation, I sit down with the incredible Steffi Spielhaupter, an equine scientist with a holistic approach to horse well-being.

She doesn’t just look at physical health—she considers the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of what it means for a horse to truly thrive.

Steffi shares wisdom from her own herd, shedding light on how we can create natural, supportive environments that allow our horses (and us) to feel safe, connected, and whole. We also dive into the fascinating world of the nervous system through the lens of Polyvagal Theory.

If you’ve ever wondered why your horse—or even you—reacts a certain way in different situations, this conversation is going to be eye-opening. Steffi breaks down how understanding our own nervous system states can completely shift the way we show up for our horses.

And Amber Lydic joins in to offer her insights on how awareness and self-regulation are everything when it comes to horsemanship. But this isn’t just about horses. We also get real about personal growth, vulnerability, and the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship in the digital space.

We talk about breathwork, breaking old emotional patterns, and the importance of having a supportive community.

Because at the end of the day, the work we do with our horses is really just another path to understanding ourselves.

So settle in, take a breath, and let’s dive into this conversation—because sometimes, the biggest shifts happen when we allow ourselves to truly see the reflection staring back at us

Find More about Steffi: www.scienceforsoundness.com

To sign up and join us live:https://www.amberlydic.com/MirrorintheStall

To see our previous episodes:

https://youtu.be/8EaRP3_SZkc?si=zvRxgzL5Cacmc02l

This video is a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability—owning our emotions and how we show up in relationships.
It’s easy to blame external situations or other people when things go wrong, but the truth is, it all starts with how we handle our own feelings.

Whether with people or horses, our ability to recognize and take responsibility for what we’re feeling can transform the connection we share.

The speaker in the video walks us through a simple, practical process for addressing worry or overwhelming emotions. It’s about pausing, reflecting, and taking ownership so we can respond from a place of clarity rather than reaction.

This is especially relevant in horse relationships because horses mirror us so closely. If we’re worried, tense, or overwhelmed, they’ll reflect that back to us. The same applies to human relationships—our energy sets the tone for the interaction.

The Process for Handling Worry or Stress Here’s the process from the video, broken down step-by-step:

1. Pause and Check In • Stop and acknowledge what you’re feeling. • Ask yourself: What’s really going on for me right now?

2. Name the Emotion • Identify the specific emotion—fear, frustration, sadness, etc. • Naming it takes away some of its power tend helps you focus.

3. Ask “Is This Mine?” • Reflect on whether the emotion is truly yours or if you’re picking up on someone else’s energy. • If it’s not yours, consciously release it with the reminder: This isn’t mine to carry.

4. Take Responsibility • If the emotion is yours, own it. Ask: • Why am I feeling this way? • What story am I telling myself about this situation?

5. Shift Perspective • Reframe the situation by asking: • What can I do about this right now? • How can I move forward in a way that feels good and grounded?

6. Take Aligned Action • Decide on one small step to address what you’re feeling—whether that’s taking a deep breath, communicating with someone, or simply shifting your focus.

Relating the Process to Human and Horse Relationships • With Horses: • When you’re worried or frustrated, your horse feels it. They’re incredibly sensitive to our energy and emotions.

By going through this process, you calm yourself first, creating a safer and more grounded environment for your horse to connect with you.

• Think about how much easier it is for your horse to trust you when you’re consistent and steady in your energy.

• With People:

• Accountability in relationships means owning what’s yours—your feelings, your triggers, and your reactions. Instead of blaming or shutting down, this process helps you take responsibility so you can communicate clearly and show up with integrity.

Journal Prompts

1. For Human Relationships:

• Think of a recent situation where you felt worried or reactive. What triggered it, and how did you respond?

• How often do you own your emotions versus blaming external circumstances?

• What’s one way you could show up differently in your relationships by taking more responsibility for your emotions? 2. For Horse Relationships:

• Reflect on a moment when your horse seemed reactive or disconnected. How was your emotional state at the time?

• How does your horse mirror your emotions? What does that teach you about yourself?

• What’s one small way you can create a more grounded, safe space for your horse?

Thought-Provoking Questions

1. How does worry or tension affect your relationships—both with people and horses?

2. What happens when you take responsibility for your emotions versus when you avoid them?

3. How do you think your horse perceives your emotional patterns?

4. In moments of stress, how often do you pause and reflect instead of reacting? Exercise to Practice Accountability

1. Self-Reflection Exercise:

• The next time you feel worried or overwhelmed, take a moment to pause.

• Use the process from the video:

• Name the emotion.

• Ask if it’s yours.

• Take responsibility for it.

• Shift your perspective and choose an action.

2. Connection with Your Horse:

• Spend 10 minutes just being with your horse—no agenda, no riding, nothing to “do.”

• Pay attention to your own energy and emotional state. Take a deep breath and soften yourself. Notice how your horse responds to the shift in you.

This video is such a great reminder that when we take responsibility for our emotions, we open the door for deeper, more authentic relationships. Whether it’s with your horse or the people in your life, accountability creates space for trust, clarity, and connection. https://youtu.be/tqVuaq9JCDk?si=t2MkqvMFQUjYwlIE

Here is the link of the second video that was referenced at the end of the call!

https://youtu.be/mCncz83CU-k

We had an incredible candid conversation between the presenters for the Art of Equine Alchemy, where we dove deep into our personal feelings leading up to the event. It was an unfiltered, heartfelt exchange between people who deeply care about each other and what we’re bringing to the table. Each presenter shared their intentions and what they hope to offer to the attendees, making this a truly special and raw discussion.

This was not a planned or scripted conversation, which made it even more powerful. We talked about our journeys, our passions, and what we feel called to create at this event. Everyone is bringing their unique gifts and perspectives, and the energy was so alive—this conversation reflects the authenticity that we hope everyone feels at the event itself.

Listen to hear directly from each presenter and feel the energy we’re putting into this experience. It’s not just about learning techniques, but about creating an atmosphere where deep connection and transformation are possible.

Special announcement ➡️ LIVE FEED TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW HERE ⬅️
Don’t miss out on the chance to experience this groundbreaking event!

Whether you join us in person or via live feed, you’ll be part of something deeply transformative for both you and your horse.

Click here for event tickets and info!

The Art of Equine Alchemy Event info!