Belinda Rodriguez

Building up from the ground

Following on from the previous slow walk movement exercises to strength the horse’s body and prepare for riding.

Techniques for improving posture

The benefits of posture training. Exercises in neck alignment and walking in balance.

The problem with desensitisation

Allowing the horse to sense their environment, react in line with their emotional state, and find safety is the key to building resilience.

What is the Nervous System?

A podcast giving an introduction to the nervous system. This will lead into the demonstrations of techniques and methods that I will be using at Equifest and in my clinics.

Why Posture Gives us Wings

This post is about why teaching horses good posture, and even ourselves for that matter, will lead to better nervous system functioning and more resilience (giving us the wings).

The Effect of Little Bits of Trauma on our Bodies

The word ‘trauma’ comes to us usually with extreme connotations of harrowing events like war or tragedy producing painful and distressing physical and mental injuries. But in everyday life, trauma manifests in much more subtle ways as a matter of us adapting to our environment to survive everyday threats – mini threats, like spilling milkContinue reading “The Effect of Little Bits of Trauma on our Bodies”

A Horse with More Freeze Than Go

My horse, Gino, has been a perplexing case of difficulties. Now almost 11, he’s been with me for eight years. He is a friendly and curious horse who makes me wonder if he was a dog in a past life due to behaviours such as being exceptionally loyal, licking everyone, and having no fear aboutContinue reading “A Horse with More Freeze Than Go”

The Freeze Response – A Biological Process

An understanding of the nervous system, and it’s most severe response under threat – the immobility response – provides a useful guide for training horses.

Virtual Working Equitation Competition 6

Enter the Virtual Working Equitation competition based in New Zealand running under Working Equitation Down Under rules. Entries close 11th October 2021 11:59PM NZT.

Security and Co-regulation

The nervous system is becoming an increasingly important area of focus in understanding behaviours, both in horses and ourselves. Since I wrote the previous articles, I have watched an interview series on trauma which has some very good information that can be applied to how we approach our own emotional responses as well that ofContinue reading “Security and Co-regulation”