Cadence Horse Training - harmony, from the ground UP

22/06/2025

21/06/2025

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐐𝐋𝐃 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 & 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜…

The horses were very appreciative of the brand new sand pit at Strong Stable Seat headquarters!

Today was dedicated to brain training and gaining an understanding of how intertwined mental and physical balance truly is.

We had a great variety of horses in age, discipline and experience level.

No matter what you do with your horse building a positive connection to your guidance and any requests you make, is paramount to keeping them motivated and willing and in avoiding resistance or negative behaviours.

We also explored building confidence rather than training for control and simple obedience and the positive influence of this on consistency, reliability and predictability in training.

By teaching our horses how to balance their own mind and body we give them tools that not only benefit our training but benefit them in their day to day lives.

21/06/2025

We're very excited and all ready for our Mind & Movement Clinic with with Katrina Parks.
Perfect Qld weather for our visiting Victorian trainer.

15/06/2025

🧡 “𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.” 🧡

This is one of the first concepts I teach, as there’s no getting around it.

Everything runs on the same central nervous system and it takes a careful balance of training to develop a calm, capable and confident horse.

I’ll be diving into the how and why next weekend with my Queensland peeps at my Equine Mind & Movement Clinic! 🤗

11/06/2025

🧡 ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE? 🧡

Connection and relationship building are becoming a much bigger priority in horsemanship, a huge step forward in acknowledging that there is more to training than just obedience.

But is it enough?

I loved my first horse with everything I had, I worked two jobs, alongside going to college, to pay for her and never skipped a night with her, no matter how late. I wouldn’t have done anything intentional to harm her in any way, I meticulously made up her stable every night making sure each piece of straw was in its place, I saved up to buy her matching saddle pads, buckets, brushes and rugs. I groomed her until she was spotless, oiled her hooves every night and sat with her while she ate dinner.

But there are plenty of things I would do differently if I had the chance, particularly around the way I trained, my expectations of her and the way I interpreted her behaviour.
She was known for being extremely hot, she had bucked and bolted with her previous owner, but back then it didn’t faze me, I was able to just ‘ride her through it’ and I attributed it to her being ‘sassy’ and ‘mare-ish’.
She didn’t know how to hold herself in a frame and was probably too weak to, so I used training aids to get her ‘round’.
Today my perspective would be very different.

We really owe it to our horses to better understand them, to educate ourselves, upskill and expand our knowledge. Just because things have been done a certain way for a long time doesn’t make them right, and without science, evolution and a growth mindset we wouldn’t have many of the creature comforts or simple things we take for granted that make our lives easier every day.

The first step to a good partnership with a horse is definitely connection, since this builds the trust needed to take and follow direction, HOWEVER teaching them to manage their own mind and body is paramount to creating confidence and maintaining motivation.

In my opinion connection and self confidence are both needed in equal measure for a well rounded, strong partnership.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥…

…𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟔𝐭𝐡, 𝐍𝐚𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐈𝐂

Let me know if you want the details!

09/06/2025

🐴 Want to know WHY your horse does what they do?

🐴 Want to stop the constant setbacks and resistance in your training?

🐴 Tired of the spooks & unpredictability?

ʟᴇᴀʀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴇʏs ᴛᴏ sᴜᴄᴄᴇssꜰᴜʟ ᴛʀᴀɪɴɪɴɢ! ᴜɴʟᴏᴄᴋ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴏʀsᴇ’s ᴛʀᴜᴇ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴍᴜᴛᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴀʀᴛɴᴇʀsʜɪᴘ!

✨ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 & 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐂
✨ 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 / 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬
✨𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟔𝐭𝐡, 𝐍𝐚𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐕𝐈𝐂

You will learn:

✅ How to get your horse in a learning frame of mind and make the most of your training sessions.

✅ Identify readiness to learn and know when to put the brakes on!

✅ Accurately read your horse’s body language AND use the information to your advantage.

✅ Create a connection that keeps your horse motivated and willing.

✅ Create a ‘thinker’ not just a ‘doer’ so your horse is able to respond not simply react.

🦄 Stop riding that rollercoaster!

🦄 Stop the spooks and end the explosions!

🦄 Enjoy your time together and have a happy horse!

Katrina has accumulated almost three decades of international experience working with horses of all ages, backgrounds and breeds.

Through years of observation, equine research, rehabilitation and training, Katrina has the ability to effectively read each horse to identify their individual learning style and potential problems in your training journey.

If you’ve been searching for a low pressure learning environment surround by like-minded people this is the perfect opportunity for you and your horse.
In Katrina you will find a supportive and encouraging trainer who believes that each and every one of you has the capacity to improve and succeed.

Event Location: Nar Nar Goon VIC

$347 with horse
$147 without

STRICTLY LIMITED with horse spots!

🌟 CLINIC INCLUDES!! 🌟

2x Theory sessions
2x Practical sessions

PLUS! Morning Tea & Lunch
☕ 🥪🥗

AND all facility fees included!

Let me know if you want more details!

I can’t wait to meet you all, Katrina! 😁

06/06/2025

Let’s say your biggest fear is spiders and I follow you with one in my hand, as you start to run I run after you, we gather speed and eventually I catch you - you freeze, squeeze your eyes tight and curl up your body. 🕷️

The spider lands on your arm and you feel him moving up your arm, you stay frozen and try to imagine you’re somewhere else.
Eventually you feel his legs on your face and you can’t take anymore, you explode, flailing your arms, screaming and running as fast as you can… you worst fears are compounded and now you are more frightened of even the smallest spider.

Yesterday I was helping with some lovely horses from the Off The Track Program, while I was there little Rusty was getting a clip job…well, half a clip job.

As I was working horses I could hear the clatter of hooves, Rusty’s ‘go to’ is to run over people and leave at speed when he becomes uncomfortable, and trust me, he’s an absolute tank 😆.

His owner was having a hard time getting the clippers on his right side without getting flattened and pulled around. She’d been working on it for about an hour with no luck.

When I brought the horse I had finished working with back in I asked if I could have a go, she gladly accepted 😆. As I touched the rope and turned on the clippers he turned and towed me off immediately down the lane, so strongly I had to let go. (I wish I had a before video if not just for the comedy value!)

I worked with him for around 10 minutes and this was the result, so what changed??

Firstly, I ACKNOWLEDGED HIS FEAR.
He was not being pushy, arrogant, rude or disrespectful, he was fearful of the pressure and noise. So I reassured him instead of reprimanding him.

Secondly, instead of following him with the clippers every time he tried to get away, as we’ve often been taught, I paused at signs of overwhelm, for him this looks like pushing away the pressure and shifting his weight.
I know this goes against everything we’ve been traditionally taught for fear of rewarding ‘bad behaviour’.

Lastly, I got him thinking and processing using his curiosity, again, instead of chasing him with the clippers I invited him to investigate them. ‘Oh!’ He said, ‘now I’ve had time to think, these are not nearly as scary as I first thought!’

I’m not just looking for immobility either, I don’t want him shutting out the scary thing because I won’t let him get away (he wouldn’t let that happen anyway 😆) - I want to see signs he’s listening and aware, ear mobility and soft, blinking eyes.

Great work Rusty 👏

04/06/2025

So you decide you want to run a marathon…you can replace marathon with any type of sporting event, competition, fitness goal or new hobby.

What kind of timeframe do you set for yourself?

If you’ve already achieved a goal, taken part in a sporting event or started a new hobby you’re probably well aware of the steps you took in order to prepare and perform to the best of your ability.

You’re probably also aware of the challenges you faced along the way.

I can guarantee that most of your work wasn’t during the pinnacle but in the weeks, days, hours and minutes spent mentally snd physically preparing.

People are often surprised by the amount of prep time I take during training, whether it be starting under saddle, re educating or bringing back into work, perhaps even in a single session.

Most of this is slow and steady mental and physical preparation and usually the majority is not done under saddle.
When I start prepping for my marathon, I’m not running huge distances daily and I’m not moving at speed - if I do it’s likely I will cause myself an injury, fatigue will set in and my recovery times will be slow.

With a background in equine exercise physiology and rehabilitation I was always aware of how the body worked and developed but I too ignored it for a while when I began training exclusively because with horses we just did what we did and there was a universally accepted timeline.

I began to notice when the most physical (and mental) changes happened, usually right before home time and thought of all I’d asked of the horses before this.
Logically there was no way that they would be able to be adequately prepared to be performing what I’d been expecting.

When a horse isn’t able to reach OUR goal in only a couple of months or even less they might be written off or even labelled as dangerous or difficult. They are also often working above their capabilities which is a good way to kill motivation, create resistance and cause unsoundness.

Everyone wants a confident, capable horse who is willing, motivated and easy to handle but not everyone is prepared to do what it takes to get them there.

𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝟲𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 & 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘!!

𝙒𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜!

Message for more info! 😁