THIS IS GAME CHANGING!
Ok now weâve got that covered (in the video), letâs talk about.. what is a pre ride checklist?
Well itâs a series of exercises or behaviours that you work through with your horse every time before you ride or train them something new.
Itâs incredible because:
đ It allows you to check-in with your horse and see where you and they are at before moving forwards with your training
đ It will allow you to notice if you or your horse is acting differently that day so you can mitigate any adverse reactions
đ It will help your sensitive horse feel safer around you as you will be more consistent and predictable with what you ask of them
đ It will help you feel safer around your horse/any horse because you will be able to notice any red flags before they develop
đIf your horse breezes through the checklist - amazing, youâve got the green light to proceed and feel great about it!
And if not, you have some really important feedback to fill in holes in your training and better support them and you that day.
+ if you donât ride your horse yet - thatâs cool! I put an * next to the steps you can skip for now as you establish them at the pace that works best for you and your horse.
đŽ Ready to dive deeper? Click the link below to receive direct access to a free podcast playlist full of amazing educational and inspiring episodes to support you on your journey!
https://www.felicitydavies.com.au/horsewomanship-podcast-playlist
Enjoy playing in the field,
Felicity x
If she didnât touch the saddle, I wouldnât have put it on her.
In the past, pre horsewomanship Felicity would not have had this approach.
I would not have considered how my horse was whilst saddling, Iâd just put it on and away we would go.
Even if they had their head turned away from me.
Even if they wouldnât stand still.
Even if they would swish their tail or pin their ears.
Even if they looked fully zoned out.
I wanted to ride so thatâs what we did.
We were having a 1 way conversation because I didnât really take what they were saying seriously.
I only appreciated their yesâs and I took their noâs personally or pushed them aside.
Now Iâm thankful to know that true two way communication involves honouring your horses no just as much as their yes.
Itâs feeling so grateful when they honestly tell you how they feel.
Itâs asking them a question and then only proceeding with their permission.
Itâs holding a vision and dropping the agenda at the same time.
Itâs putting your relationship first.
In this clip I only saddled Lily because she acknowledged the saddle.
There are times where she doesnât acknowledge it and I donât saddle her those days. And yes, she still gets a food reward these days because Iâm not just reinforcing behaviour, Iâm reinforcing her telling me how she feels.
There are so many ways you can invite in two way communication with your horses.
Offer them an invitation.
See how they respond.
Flow from there.
With everything.
Curious to learn more? Click below to explore a free playlist full of podcast episodes to support you on your journey đ
https://www.felicitydavies.com.au/horsewomanship-podcast-playlist
Iâm so glad youâre here,
Felicity x
My intuition led me to a business course in 2020 that I could not afford.
I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to create based on what Iâd been supporting others with in person. I wasnât certain it would convert into an online course successfullyâŠhowever I couldnât stop thinking about it.
It made sense to me to learn from someone who had created a really successful and nourishing business. One that also others were able to create success from using their teachings.
I had enough belief and delusion to trust that I too could achieve great results. I thought if others can do it, so can I.
So I signed up for the payment plan on my credit card (3 payments of $2000 USD đ
) which terrified me but also lit a fire in me to make it work. And I did.
I watched all the videos. Completed all the homework. Found extra clients to help me pay for the instalments and even sold a saddle to a client who was happy to support me with this crazy pursuit.
During the first 3 months of launching my program I worked with 6 incredible clients from around the world. They came through my social media following of about 1800 followers.
They all payed a 4 figure investment for my 12 week horsemanship program with weekly calls and messaging support.
I did not have a website. I used a PDF.
I have never paid for advertising.
My online program was filmed and edited entirely on my phone.
My bed was in the background of many of my theory videos.
I used captions over my horse training videos because I couldnât work out how to add a voice over.
I didnât know about all the tech to use.
At one point my internet was playing up so I had to move locations so instead of being at a desk for calls, I sat on a bed.
Nobody cared.
They were just happy that they were receiving support and guidance.
And they all got incredible results.
Sure I might be in a different financial position now, have a website and utilise different forms of tech to help me⊠but I absolutely di
If youâre a recovering perfectionist who is wondering - where the fck is the joy in my life?? Watch this because Iâm about to blow your mind and call you out in the best way đđ„°âš
After you watch, Iâd love to know how this felt for you. Let me know in the comments or send me a message đȘ
One of the most beautiful skillsets you can learn to embody is embracing the small moments.
Appreciating what is already in front of you.
Being grateful for what you do have.
Recognising the beauty in your life.
Opening up to receive.
Being in the moment.
And letting yourself have it.
Like really letting yourself feel it, deep in your body and turning on all of your senses.
You know the spot Iâm talking about.
Perhaps you have glimpses of this and want more, but in an attempt to get it, you end up fixated on where you want to be instead of learning to be with what you already have.
However, you can learn how to embrace what you have whilst striving for more.
You can develop and embody this skill.
It something I love supporting my clients with and itâs so freaking cool to see them open their eyes to the magic around them.
I know this is possible for you too đ
Comment âMASTERCLASSâ and Iâll send you the link to sign up to my free How To Help Your Horse Feel More Confident & Relaxed Masterclass! đđđŽ
I am so proud and so happy for my client Liz. Sheâs been on a huge journey with her horse over the past 9 months and sheâs finally coming out on the other side.
Listen to yourself.
Listen to your horse.
Address the root cause.
Be kind to yourself through the process.
Trust yourself.
Youâre not crazy. đ©”
If you know you can help people and horses through a service or product you offer - THE EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU!
Itâs your time to put yourself out there.
To learn how to convey the value of your magic.
To be rewarded for the impact you can create.
What are you waiting for?
There is so much space for you!
Go for it đ
- This clip is from by Business Essentials For Equestrians Masterclass - if you want to watch the replay message me âMasterclassâ and Iâll send you the link âš
Desensitising should not equal dull.
Desensitising should not equal shut down and frozen.
Desensitising should not equal not responding to pressure or body language cues.
Desensitising should not equal huge reactions from your horse.
And if it does. It is being done incorrectly.
To avoid the above what I like to do is:
1ïžâŁ Address environmental and health concerns
Your horse should have access to their basic needs. 24/7 access to forage, access to friends and freedom to move.
They should have regular hoof care, dental checks and any health concerns should be checked by a vet or suitable professional.
They should be as happy as possible in their living environment.
2ïžâŁ Relationship
Ensure you spend time with your horse doing things that they like *and* establish healthy boundaries with them.
Learn to listen to them and communicate with them clearly.
Teach them to respond to light pressure cues.
When you relax they should be able to relax. When you ask them to do something and increase your energy they should respond to it.
3ïžâŁ Desensitising
Now that you have a solid foundation you can start to *slowly* incorporate objects to desensitise your horse with.
The focus should be on teaching your horse how to respond to environmental pressure in a soft and relaxed way regardless of how âimpressiveâ it looks.
If your horse is pretty quiet and unfazed this process will usually be relatively quick.
If your horse is more sensitive it will take longer.
If your horse is shut down it will take longer.
But at any point through the desensitising process you should *always* be able to ask your horse to respond to pressure.
I can wave a flag around and have my horse relax but if I pick my energy up and ask them to move, they should be able to move.
They are responding to your energy not the object itself.
*and* if they struggle to respond to your energy in this way you just go back to step 1 & 2 and re-establish your connection.
Rin
Focusing on the positive impact your creating > worrying about what others think. đ Your intentions are good!You are helping horses and humans (even if itâs just your own horse and yourself thatâs the main focus)!If someone wants to judge you for that, that says it way more about them than you.Take up space & shine!You deserve it đ+ support others doing this too, we are all in this together âš
Get ready to be inspired as you listen to the latest Equestrian Perspective podcast episode with Marina Janelle Wenner đShe went from (in her words) feeling: âSelf-doubt. I started so late in life that I feel so behind. Getting into mustangs was alot, and I wouldnât recommend it for âbeginnersâ but here I am. I need to acquire the knowledge to do it, and be accountable to consistency. Iâve had a lot of failures that have felt devastating to me, and I feel like I need some wins.Iâve spent thousands on getting my horses professionally trained. So I decided rather than spending money on sending them somewhere, Iâll invest in my own learning and teach them myself - with the guidance I need.âTo joining CEP and transforming everything in all the best ways! Youâll have to listen to the episode to get all the details đClick the link in my bio to check it out or search for Equestrian Perspective on your fav podcast platform! It is episode 121 đ„°#mustang #equestrian #equine #horsemanship