Avoidance vs Shut Down

When I taught my nervous system clinic recently, an observation arose from a horse owner that caught me a little off guard. I had to think through it for a while before I realised how the misconception had arisen. The owner was adamant that her horse’s grazing behaviour was a shut down response having heard

Why ‘Group Think’ doesn’t help our horses

Firstly, let me start by saying that no one is getting everything right all the time. The learning curve for anything, including things we thought we already knew, means that sometimes we make assumptions that are not right, or take actions that don’t work out well. Unfortunately, perfectionism in the horse world is rife, so

Spooking vs Not Spooking

I watched a video a little while ago that someone had posted online of a pony coming up to a jump (a very tiny jump as it was), then braking hard and spinning in two different directions whiplashing its rider both ways until the poor kid riding was thrown down the side of the pony.

Equifest Presentation Taupo 2022

As the Equifest Taupo event is approaching in only two weeks time, and my thoughts have turned to thinking about what information and demonstrations to present during my 45 minute sessions on Friday and Sunday. Lately, I’ve been listening to many podcasts and finishing my online course on Somatic Experiencing by Peter Levine. Relating the

Overcoming Fear in Riding

Discover ways to reduce your fear in the saddle with techniques developed from equestrian vaulting.

The power of liberty

I recently listened to a podcast with Catherine Price who has written a book called “The power of fun – how to feel alive again.” Catherine talks about fun as a feeling (rather than an activity) that is combination of playfulness, connection, and flow. Playfulness is light-hearted spirit and not caring too much about the

RESISTANCE

The capital letters in the title were on purpose – meant for shouting. The action (or non-action) of resistance is a strong objection in body and energy. The thing that I find quite often is that humans who object to horse resistance are most resistant themselves. Resistance is avoidance action or non-action. On the human

Introduction to Working Equitation Clinic

A 2 hour introductory group session to the Ease of Handling obstacles in Working Equitation with Belinda Rodriguez. To be held at Glenara Farms, New Plymouth 12th February 2022. Cost is $60. Registration and prior payment is required.

Virtual Working Equitation Competition 7

Enter the Virtual Working Equitation competition based in New Zealand running under Working Equitation Down Under rules. Entries close 31st January 2022 11:59PM NZT.

Anxiety and Energy – the influence of Mitochondria

Scientists are constantly uncovering new information about the body – a superbly complex system of interacting mechanisms. We tend to think of ourselves as a ‘brain’ attached to dumb organs, but this is vastly untrue. Our organs have their own ‘brain’ and what is contained within our bodies functions more like a society of negotiating