Aimee Harman Horsemanship

01/09/2025

I'm absolutely shattered to be giving you this news.

Rest in peace to the most beautiful soul. You were so loved. You deserved so much better.

16/08/2025

I know of a few trainers who still do this. It does achieve the desired outcome with many horses, but as the article states, the horse has been overwhelmed by their stress and has given up. Hopefully you as a horse owner are not ok with subjecting your horse to such levels of stress to achieve a convenient result.

Likewise, when I was a kid I knew of a trainer who would address float loading problems by wrapping a chain over the horse's nose, and teaching it that if the horse wasn't hypervigilant to the handler every second, it would get je**ed across the nose with the chain. I also witnessed that trainer kicking my 13.2hh pony in the ribs. I was a child and my parents weren't horsey, and we didn't know better. That trainer did indeed get horses to load on the float. He got results. But at a cost that's simply far too high to the horse.

No one who loves horses should want to achieve results at any cost.

“Teaching” a horse patience by tying them for hours without food, water, shelter, or the ability to move is not training — it’s neglect disguised as horsemanship.

This outdated method is rooted in a mindset that ignores equine learning science and welfare, replacing empathy with dominance and convenience.

From the horse’s perspective, there is no concept of “patience” as we humans define it.

Research in equine behavior shows that horses learn through associations and immediate consequences, not abstract moral virtues.

When left tied for hours, a horse does not learn to “wait calmly.”

Instead, they often experience escalating stress, confusion, and learned helplessness — a psychological state in which they stop reacting not because they’re “calm,” but because they’ve given up hope of influencing their situation.

This is not training; it’s mental and emotional abuse.

The horse is deprived of the ability to meet basic needs, placed in a vulnerable and unnatural position, and left to endure discomfort, fear, and boredom.

Such treatment erodes trust and creates long-term damage to the horse-human relationship.

The harsh truth is that these methods persist because they require no skill, no understanding of learning theory, and no investment in the horse’s well-being.

They produce the illusion of a “quiet” horse quickly, but at the cost of the horse’s mental and emotional welfare.

True patience in horsemanship comes from us, not the horse.

It means taking the time to introduce new situations gradually, meeting the horse’s basic needs, and setting them up for success in a world completely foreign to them.

Owners — it’s your responsibility to educate yourselves.

Learn to recognize trainers who rely on outdated, shortcut methods that harm rather than help.

Your horse depends on you to choose training built on empathy, science, and mutual trust.

We surely owe them that much.

Join us at www.equitopiacenter.com where awareness, education and advocacy can shape a better world for horses - from their perspective!

16/08/2025

My newest YouTube video is out. In this clip I work with two foals not far from being weaned. I help them feel better about following the feel of the lead rope and explain how I approach getting them ok with being touched on their legs and face, or just generally when handling is new to them.

If you like my content, please do subscribe to my channel - I'd love to keep building this community!

I shot this video back in July, doing some foal handling for Pam from Moondance Warmbloods. I worked on helping the babies feel better about following the fe...

03/08/2025

My latest YouTube is live! This is just a bit of a chat to camera about how I came to have my equestrian focus in horsemanship, and wondering how others have found their way there. How did you decide on your training modality of choice?

Today I'm talking about how I came to have my horse training focus in the horsemanship realm, and I'm wondering how it is you have come to have yours on your...

23/07/2025

Beautiful words written by a mentor and good friend of mine. Way too poignant not to share.

A HORSE TRAINER AND A HORSE PERSON

Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman were great jazz clarinetists who headed two of the most popular American big bands (dance bands) of the 1930s and 40s. In an interview in the late 1950s, Artie Shaw was asked his opinion of Benny Goodman. In a very ungracious mood, he said, “Benny Goodman played clarinet. I played music.”

A young Aussie trainer I know wrote to me about his horse. I have met his horse and at the time I quickly appreciated its intelligence and sensitivity. Yet getting along with the horse has been elusive for the trainer. The horse does what it is told, but has a low tolerance for being told. The horse is a great example of one that does not hide its contempt for what humans have to say. Despite the trouble, the owner loves his horse and sees its potential, but is frustrated by his inability to inspire a relationship of mutual trust, confidence and enjoyment.

My friend and I have discussed some of the horses he has been working for clients and it is clear he is doing a good job and even helped horses that other trainers had given up on. He has become quite skilled at getting things done and helping horses feel okay or even happy about it. But regardless of the growth in the trainer’s skills and understanding of good horsemanship, the problems with his own horse persist. It’s as if his horse says, “Okay, I’ll do it, but don’t expect me to like it or even be nice to you about it.”

This is what I had to say about my young friend’s dilemma in a recent email.

“I’m glad you are seeing Billy’s potential. I liked him from the start but wondered whether you were suited for him because of your fixation with getting things done. I believe he has a lot to teach you about getting along with a horse. I feel that the horses you’ve been working for your clients have been brilliant at teaching you to help a horse get something done and be okay about it. But Billy could teach you how to be a friend to a horse and not just a rider or trainer. There is a difference, and not many horse people are open-minded enough or aware enough to know how to be a friend. I am hopeful Billy could be that horse for you.”

I think there is a difference between being a good trainer and a good horse person. Most of us measure our training skills by the effectiveness of what a horse can do. There are plenty of people who are good at what they do, but just because a trainer is good at what they do does not mean that what they do is good.

If we are lucky a horse or two will come along in our life to remind us of that. They will reveal our weaknesses and flaws as friends to the horse. They will show us that being an employer is not enough. Even having focus, clarity, and softness to a high level is not always enough.

So what makes a person a friend AND a good horse person instead of just a good horse person alone?

I believe it is sensitivity to a horse's need to feel their concerns are important and catered for. When we present a challenge, a horse only feels the need to ‘try’ if they have learned it works out well for them over and over again. This happens because we prioritize their feelings and never betray them. It’s only then that horses learn to trust and feel confident in our presence.

But more than that we need to become part of a horse’s life. Most of us interact with our horses when it comes time to work with them. However, in that way our relationship becomes work one like colleagues that share a job. On the other hand interacting with a horse outside of the work scenario and becoming an intricate part of their life changes the relationship from employer/employee to friendship status. Spending quality time with horses as they go about their day is an important part of developing a great relationship.

I know this experience. I know it is possible to be a friend to a horse. I know it's real. I’ve had this type of relationship with a small number of the horses in my life. I have previously told the story of my horse, China who was able to lead me to water and back twice a day when I lost my sight while trekking in the South Australian wilderness. I was able to hold his tail while he negotiated through the thick bush to a creek; he waited while I washed my body and bathed my eyes, and then led me back to camp. He did this every day until I recovered, even though he had not been trained to lead while being held from the tail or to wait while I bathed or take me to water. In my blindness, I trusted his judgment and he did more than he was ever trained to do.

Then there was the time a small herd of brumbies (feral horses) stormed into camp during the night to take my horses. Despite breaking away and being free to follow, Luke and China both stayed nervously by the camp as the brumbies disappeared into the darkness. Or the occasion we were trapped in a bushfire and the horses jumped a crevasse to enable our escape. Then there was the first time I asked China to jump over a person standing up. Not forgetting when China was bitten by a snake and was very sick through the night. I stayed with him all night but I eventually fell asleep. I was awakened at dawn by his bristles nuzzling of my face as he laid down beside me to sleep and recover.

I can tell a dozen or more stories of events that confirm to me that being a true friend to a horse is entirely possible even though most behaviourists would find an alternative and more rational explanation. But friendship is difficult (if not impossible) to define and friends come in a variety of forms and serve different purposes in our lives, yet we categorize them all under the umbrella of friendship. So who is to say that when a horse offers something above and beyond their training that it is not a friendship?

I believe my young trainer friend has the potential to know his horse as a friend and not just a possession. But even if it doesn’t happen with Billy, I know he wants it and if he wants it he will work hard enough to eventually know it. Like Artie Shaw who did more than just play the clarinet, my friend will one day do more than just ride and train horses.

Photo: Artie Shaw (left) and Benny Goodman (right)

22/07/2025

My latest YouTube is out now. In this video I talk about what a sidepull is, and why you might use one when you are training your horse.

Today I thought we could chat about sidepulls and their application in horse training. What is a sidepull, and why would you use one? It turns out there are ...

22/07/2025

I’ll have some openings for training horses from mid September onwards over the warmer months. If you are looking for some help with your horse, get in touch! I work with horses of all breeds, ages, and levels of education, from ground handling and float loading to starting under saddle, schooling flatwork, and getting them out and about. If you are interested in sending your horse to someone who prioritises the two way connection between horse and handler and who makes what the horse is thinking and feeling the priority then I might be a good fit.

11/07/2025

My latest YouTube video just dropped. In this clip I introduce George and Taz and give you a little info on their backgrounds and where they’re at currently.

I have a few ideas at the ready for the next video, but if there’s anything you especially would like to see, drop it in the comments. Can be educational, can be personal, can be silly. All suggestions welcome!

If I'm going to be bringing you guys along for the ride on my young horse training journey, you should probably get to know my two boys, OTTB George and warm...

07/07/2025

Hi friends!

I want to start sharing more of my training journey with George and Tazzie, as well as some general tips, observations, and sometimes just silly fun. I’ve decided to revive my YouTube channel. First video has just dropped.

Winter has hit me hard and I very nearly turned into a house-bound hermit. In this video I make some commitments about the horses, and what you can expect to...

12/06/2025

Hi team!

I believe there are one or two spots left for this Good Horsemanship - Ross Jacobs clinic at Fish Creek in October. I’ll be heading along with Tazzie. I always get loads out of these clinics, both from my own lessons and from watching others. 10/10 would recommend!

25/03/2025

Tazzie and I spent four days away at Stable & Nook attending a clinic hosted by Good Horsemanship - Ross Jacobs. Tazzie is only 4, and this was just his 3rd outing away from home, so it was a challenging time for him. He's not a chilled out guy, so I had my work cut out for me, but under Ross's excellent guidance I was thrilled with the changes we had both made by the completion of the clinic. Much to go on with at home now, and then we'll be going back for another of Ross's clinics in Harcourt at the end of April. George will also be coming along for this one, so I'll have my hands full!

Ross's clinics are well worth attending for anyone who is interested in strengthening their relationship with their horse and helping their horse to feel more ok with the work. If you can get along to one even just to fence sit I highly recommend you do.

17/03/2025

Hello friends!

Calling on you to help out another member of our horse community if you are able. My good friend Siri Christie has had such a run of bad luck lately, culminating in this weekend's events. Her mare Rainbow, who has only just lost a foal at 5 months gestation, managed to get her leg over the electric stand off wire, and has degloved her hind leg and shredded a tendon. This required her to be rushed to the vet hospital and operated on on the table. Siri always puts the horses first, and now she is up for a decent vet bill. Anything you can spare would be so appreciated.

Hi all! I’m raising funds for my good friend Siri, who has been through a rough time … Aimee Harman needs your support for Help cover Rainbow’s vet bills