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

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.

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

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).

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 about

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.