My Philosophy: Building Trust, Energy Awareness, and Connection with Horses
Working with horses is as much an art as it is a science. It requires a willingness to develop a meaningful connection based on mutual trust and respect. In this piece, I talk about my philosophy and approach with horses, emphasizing the importance of trust, energy management, and relationship-building.
I will allow horses to approach me and interact on their terms. By respecting their space and being mindful of their comfort, I can encourage a bond built on security. For instance, if a horse appears fearful or hesitant, I use unthreatening body language and give them time to process. Trust, once established, opens the door to a mutual partnership.
I often visualize an "energy bubble" around myself and the horse. When the horse respectfully enters this space, it’s an invitation for connection. If a horse pushes into my space unsafely, I address it by expanding my energy field, visualizing a stronger boundary, and gently guiding them back. This approach reinforces confidence without intimidation.
Moreover, I strive to model the behavior I want from my horses by moving into their space respectfully and observing their reactions. When I approach softly, with rounded shoulders and calm energy, I show the horse that I’m not a threat. The more I practice this mindfulness, the more I’ve seen horses relax and willingly connect.
When working with my horses, I assess their energy levels. Are they sluggish and need encouragement to engage? Or are they high-strung and require calming exercises? For low-energy horses, I use transitions, lateral movements, and quick changes within gaits to create more engagement. For high-energy horses, I focus on meditative walks, flowing patterns, and grounding exercises to bring them back to a relaxed state.
Energy awareness also extends to understanding how a horse reflects our emotional state. If I’m tense or distracted, my horse picks up on it. Maintaining calm, focused energy ensures I’m leading by example, encouraging the horse to mirror that energy.
One of the simplest yet most profound ways to bond with a horse is by "sharing territory." Spending time with a horse without an agenda creates a space for connection. This mirrors how horses interact in a herd, standing together, grazing, or simply existing in each other’s company.
When I work with young or anxious horses, I prioritize these moments. Sitting in the pasture, observing their movements, and allowing them to approach me fosters a sense of safety and mutual respect. It also helps me better understand their personalities, quirks, and preferences.
This practice aligns with my belief that a horse’s behavior often stems from their emotions. Behaviors that some label as "disrespectful" are frequently rooted in fear or insecurity. When I approach training with empathy and patience, I can address the underlying cause rather than the symptom.
For the horses I rehabilitate, my goal is to help them rediscover their confidence and trust in humans. Many of these horses have endured challenging pasts (either physically or mentally), so I approach their training with an emphasis on patience, consistency, and empathy. By addressing their fears and creating positive experiences, I aim to rebuild their sense of safety and give them the tools to succeed, whether that means becoming a reliable partner for their next owner or simply finding peace in their interactions with people.
In all my work, my philosophy remains the same: respect the horse, listen to their needs, and create a partnership built on trust and mutual understanding. Every horse has the potential to thrive when given the opportunity to feel safe, valued, and understood.
You will learn how I:
- Establish trust as the foundation for all training.
- Use energy awareness to communicate effectively and maintain safety.
- Balance energy and relaxation to foster optimal performance.
- Build meaningful connections by respecting personal space and sharing territory.
- Apply these principles to raising confident foals and rehabilitating challenging horses.
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Trust as the Foundation
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship with a horse. Just as Monty Roberts’ dubs the "Join-Up" or what Buck Brenneman calls the "hook-on" method - it shows, building trust means communicating to the horse that you are a protector and not a threat. The goal being that horses look to you for confidence which helps with spooking and builds their confidence while riding. Horses, being prey animals, are naturally cautious. Forcing them into obedience through fear only damages the relationship, leaving them anxious and resistant. Instead, when you show that you respect their space, meet them where they are emotionally, and give them the freedom to choose interaction, they begin to trust you and look to you for guidance.I will allow horses to approach me and interact on their terms. By respecting their space and being mindful of their comfort, I can encourage a bond built on security. For instance, if a horse appears fearful or hesitant, I use unthreatening body language and give them time to process. Trust, once established, opens the door to a mutual partnership.
Personal Space and Energy Awareness
Horses are acutely aware of energy and personal space. They sense when our energy is inconsistent or when we are unaware of how we project it. Protecting personal space is both a safety measure and a form of leadership. However, personal space is not about physical proximity alone... it’s about the energy dynamic between myself and the horse.
I often visualize an "energy bubble" around myself and the horse. When the horse respectfully enters this space, it’s an invitation for connection. If a horse pushes into my space unsafely, I address it by expanding my energy field, visualizing a stronger boundary, and gently guiding them back. This approach reinforces confidence without intimidation.
Moreover, I strive to model the behavior I want from my horses by moving into their space respectfully and observing their reactions. When I approach softly, with rounded shoulders and calm energy, I show the horse that I’m not a threat. The more I practice this mindfulness, the more I’ve seen horses relax and willingly connect.
The Role of Energy in Movement
Energy plays a pivotal role in a horse’s movement and training. It is not just about speed but about the power, effort, and engagement the horse brings to their work. Striking the right balance between energy and relaxation is crucial. If the energy level is too low, the horse’s movements will feel disconnected and lack rhythm. If it’s too high, the horse becomes tense and unbalanced.When working with my horses, I assess their energy levels. Are they sluggish and need encouragement to engage? Or are they high-strung and require calming exercises? For low-energy horses, I use transitions, lateral movements, and quick changes within gaits to create more engagement. For high-energy horses, I focus on meditative walks, flowing patterns, and grounding exercises to bring them back to a relaxed state.
Energy awareness also extends to understanding how a horse reflects our emotional state. If I’m tense or distracted, my horse picks up on it. Maintaining calm, focused energy ensures I’m leading by example, encouraging the horse to mirror that energy.
Sharing Territory and Building Relationships
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When I work with young or anxious horses, I prioritize these moments. Sitting in the pasture, observing their movements, and allowing them to approach me fosters a sense of safety and mutual respect. It also helps me better understand their personalities, quirks, and preferences.
This practice aligns with my belief that a horse’s behavior often stems from their emotions. Behaviors that some label as "disrespectful" are frequently rooted in fear or insecurity. When I approach training with empathy and patience, I can address the underlying cause rather than the symptom.
Trust, Respect, and Energy in Action
Training a horse is not about dominance; it’s about partnership. Horses thrive when they feel seen, understood, and safe. Every interaction, whether it’s groundwork, riding, or simply leading them to the pasture, is an opportunity to reinforce trust and connection.For me, every horse is an individual. Some need more encouragement to step into their power, while others require reassurance to find calmness. By being attuned to their energy, respecting their space, and fostering trust, I create an environment where horses feel confident and willing to work together.
Horses have taught me that the little things (a soft approach, a pause to listen, a moment of shared stillness) make the biggest difference. Training is a journey, and with patience and awareness, we can guide our horses while deepening our connection with them.
My Goals with the Horses I Raise and Rehabilitate
When raising foals, my focus is on nurturing well-rounded, confident, and respectful horses who are set up for success in their future disciplines. From the moment they are born, I strive to balance allowing them to be horses (growing up in a herd environment with plenty of space) and imprinting positive human interactions. This early foundation helps them develop trust, curiosity, and a willingness to partner with people.For the horses I rehabilitate, my goal is to help them rediscover their confidence and trust in humans. Many of these horses have endured challenging pasts (either physically or mentally), so I approach their training with an emphasis on patience, consistency, and empathy. By addressing their fears and creating positive experiences, I aim to rebuild their sense of safety and give them the tools to succeed, whether that means becoming a reliable partner for their next owner or simply finding peace in their interactions with people.
In all my work, my philosophy remains the same: respect the horse, listen to their needs, and create a partnership built on trust and mutual understanding. Every horse has the potential to thrive when given the opportunity to feel safe, valued, and understood.
