EquiKinder

26/03/2025

Big News: Our New Website is Live! Check it out now 👇

Safely Guiding Young Riders Every Step of the Way.

23/03/2025

🌊 Daisy’s First Beach Trip 🐴 Here is how it went ...

Taking a horse somewhere new isn’t just a fun outing. It’s a training moment, not in the sense of achieving something, but in how we guide them through unfamiliar territory and help them feel safe while they learn. This is how I supported Daisy through this new experience.

This was Daisy’s first time at the beach with me, and the experience started before we even got there. She hesitated to load onto the float, which didn’t surprise me. Her last float trip ended with several days away from her herd during the floods. Experiences like that leave a mark.

So we took our time. I offered reassurance, gave her time, and waited for her to choose to load. And she did. That moment of choice matters It’s the first layer of trust.

When we arrived, Daisy's nervous system was clearly activated. She was high-headed, ears pricked, muscles tense. I recognised the orientation reflex. That moment when a horse freezes slightly, not out of fear, but to assess. She was gathering information and deciding if flight might be needed.

I didn’t interrupt this. I just stayed with her. When she leaned into curiosity, I let her explore. When she needed space, I offered retreat.

We followed a gentle rhythm: approach, retreat, reassess. This was her learning to regulate. And my job was to support that regulation. Not override it.

She was sniffing every footprint and paw print like a tracking dog, fully taking in the new environment. At the same time, she was managing a lot of sensory input: the sound of crashing waves, flapping beach umbrellas, and off-lead dogs running past.

Here’s where I made a conscious decision. I didn’t try to “train through” everything in one go. I gave space to the dogs. I walked away from the umbrella. I chose to stay focused on what we couldn’t control, like the waves, and save the rest for another day.

When she spooked at the water, I didn’t stop her from backing away. I let her process and then gently invited her forward again. It was a conversation, not a correction.

She never went into full fight, flight, or freeze. There were fleeting moments, but she stayed with me. Checked in. Stayed curious. That’s the kind of responsiveness I value most.

And at the end of our session, she even rolled. Twice! That says a lot about how much she processed and released.

There was no goal to reach the water or touch the waves. The only goal was to support her in exploring something new while staying emotionally safe.

That’s how I introduce new experiences: not by flooding the horse or desensitizing them, but by building a foundation where they feel seen, heard, and supported.

One step at a time. One experience at a time. That’s how confidence grows.

19/03/2025

❌ Kicking and pulling harder is NOT the answer!

If your horse won’t move forward, the problem isn’t laziness. It’s a lack of clear communication. Instead of stronger aids, what if you could use energy, feel, and timing to get your horse moving willingly?

In my latest blog post, I break down why horses shut down, how to fix it, and groundwork + riding exercises that actually work.

🔗Read the full guide here: https://wp.me/pgozub-7D

Tell me! Have you ever struggled with a horse that won’t move forward? What did you try? Comment below 👇

12/03/2025

This weekend, we had to evacuate our schooling horses due to flooding, and they’re currently staying at my in-laws' farm. Since they live near the state forest, I took the opportunity to take Prince for a walk through the bush today.

As we wandered through the trees, we passed rosellas, kangaroos, and Brahman cattle grazing in a neighbour's paddock. It was a beautiful experience. Except for one thing that bothered me!

At home, Prince always walks beside me, his head level with my shoulder. Today, he kept moving slightly ahead, positioning me at his shoulder. My first thoughts?

💭 "He’s trying to take the lead."
💭 "He’s being disrespectful."
💭 "He’s not listening to me."

Except… he was listening.

Every time I stopped, he stopped immediately. No tension in the rope. If I paused for longer, he turned his head toward me checking in. When we trotted, he matched my pace perfectly, speeding up and slowing down without a single pull on the rope.

Yet, no matter what I did, he kept positioning himself slightly ahead.

At first, I tried blocking him, but he kept creeping forward. Then I stopped focusing on correction and started asking why.

HOW HORSES SEE THE WORLD

Horses have an exceptional field of vision. Almost 350 degrees. About 65 degrees is binocular vision (where both eyes focus on the same area in front), while the rest is monocular vision (each eye sees independently).

Because their eyes are positioned on the sides of their head, horses have a panoramic view of their surroundings.

That means when I walk at his head, I’m blocking part of his vision.

In a familiar setting, this might not be a big deal. But we were in the bush. A completely new environment for him. He wasn’t trying to be dominant. He wasn’t testing me. He wasn't ignoring me.

➡️ He just wanted to see.

SHIFTING MY PERSPECTIVE

I let go of my expectation of where he “should” be and walked at his shoulder instead.

Nothing changed in terms of connection. He still checked in with me, still stopped when I stopped, still mirrored my pace. But it felt different.

🔹 More like partnership, less like obedience.
🔹 More like communication, less like correction.

I could have insisted that he stay at my shoulder, and he probably would have complied eventually. But why? The important thing was that he was connected and responsive.

It didn’t matter where I was next to his body.

THE BIGGER LESSON IN HORSEMANSHIP

This is the kind of mindset shift I believe is essential in horsemanship. Instead of assuming a horse is testing or ignoring us, we should be listening to them.

True horsemanship isn’t about dominance or forcing a horse into a set framework. It’s about understanding how they experience the world, adapting, and building a real partnership.

Today was a reminder: When something doesn’t feel right, don’t rush to correct. Pause and ask why.

💬 Have you ever had a moment where a horse’s behaviour suddenly made sense once you saw it from their perspective? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

09/03/2025

Ever felt like your child’s riding journey needed a clear roadmap?

Meet the Rider's Training Scale, a structured approach to riding that builds confidence step by step. Whether your child is just starting or looking to progress, this scale offers a clear, progressive path to independent riding.

Read the blog post: Link in the comments below

12/02/2025

Missed out on a spot? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

With Term 1 officially booked out, we know many eager little riders are still hoping for a chance to start their horse journey. That’s why our 2025 Expression of Interest (EOI) form is still OPEN, so you can be first in line when new spots become available!

📩 Get on the waitlist now: https://forms.gle/66AxgLkzvsnq4fY5A

Starting a horse journey isn’t just about riding. It’s about responsibility, resilience, and connection. We’d love to welcome your child when the next opportunity comes up!

Tag a friend who should join EquiKinder next term! 🐴✨

11/02/2025

UPDATE: This Spot is Now Booked! Keep an eye out for future openings!

🐴✨ LAST-MINUTE SPOT AVAILABLE! ✨🐴

Looking for a fun and enriching activity for your little one? We have ONE spot left in our Pre-schooler Lesson this Friday, Feb 14, at 11 AM! 🐎💛

This is the perfect chance for your child to experience gentle, hands-on horse time in a relaxed and supportive environment. No experience needed, just a love for horses!

📩 Contact us to grab the spot before it’s gone!

09/02/2025

🥁 And the winner is… 🎉🐴

A huge congratulations to Ivy, age 7, for winning our EquiKinder Logo Colouring Competition!

We absolutely loved her creative touch by transforming our logo horse into a magical Pegacorn! 🦄✨ This design perfectly represents EquiKinder, where playfulness, imagination, and endless possibilities come to life. Just like a Pegacorn is a mix of the unexpected, we celebrate each child's unique journey, creating a space where everyone belongs, grows, and discovers their own magic.

A massive thank you to everyone who participated! The creativity and heart behind each entry were incredible.

💭 Which part of Ivy’s design is your favourite? Drop a 🦄 in the comments to show her some love!

✨ Exciting things are happening at EquiKinder! We're dreaming big and working towards a vision of becoming a community hub for equestrian education. Stay tuned to learn how you can be part of making this dream a reality! 🌟🐴

08/02/2025

The Lymphatic System - Essential for strong immunity, the lymphatic system protects the body against bacteria and disease. 💪

The lymphatic system consists of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and bone marrow.

06/02/2025

🎨🖍️ The Future of EquiKinder is About to Change! 🐴✨

Our EquiKinder Logo Colouring-In Competition brought in some incredible creativity, and the winning design has been chosen! 🎉 This isn’t just any drawing. This design will officially become the new EquiKinder logo! 🤩

Which one do YOU think won? Drop a like ❤ or comment with your guess! 🧐

📢 The big reveal happens THIS SUNDAY NIGHT! Get ready to see the new face of EquiKinder! 👀✨

05/02/2025

Now that's something! We love letting kids experience movement and different positions on our horses. Gymnastics on a horse aka vaulting is fun and enriching.

Drop a 🤸‍♀️ in the comments if you'd like your kids to give it a try.

03/02/2025

📢 LAST CHANCE TO WIN A FREE RIDING LESSON!

Our EquiKinder Logo Colouring Competition is closing soon! ⏳ Entries close Wednesday, 5th Feb 2025, so if your little artist hasn’t submitted their masterpiece yet, now’s the time!

📩 Submit your entry before the deadline: https://tinyurl.com/2etpak9m

The winner will receive a FREE riding lesson!

We’ve loved seeing all the creativity so far, and we can’t wait to pick a winner. Don’t miss out! Grab those crayons, markers, or pencils and bring our logo to life.

29/01/2025

Horse-Themed Holiday Fun at Home 🏠🐴

Missed out on our holiday program and can’t wait to start riding lessons with us in Term 1? Don’t worry! We’ve got plenty of ways to keep that pony spirit alive until then!

🧩Horse Crafts & Activities: Head over to Breyer Model Horses website for loads of printable colouring pages, DIY crafts, and creative games. It’s a great way to fuel your child’s imagination while they look forward to their first ride.

🎨Colouring Competition: We’re still running our colouring-in contest, and guess what? The winner gets a FREE riding lesson! Grab crayons, markers, or pencils, and let your little artist shine. Don’t forget to tag us once it’s complete. We love seeing your masterpieces! 👉 https://shorturl.at/xwL6z

🤸‍♀️Balance & Stretching at Home: Being a better rider starts with core strength and stability. A simple at-home exercise is standing on one leg with eyes closed. It’s trickier than it sounds! Practicing this daily helps build balance and confidence for when they hop in the saddle.

Ready for Term 1 Riding Lessons? Spaces are limited, so head to our website or click the link below to secure your child’s spot. We’ll see you and your little ones in the paddock soon!

👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/2wLu9oADgzjr7KjS8

29/01/2025

Another colourful entry for our EquiKinder Logo Colouring Competition from Alva 💙❤️💚💛

👇 Join the fun and win a FREE riding lesson!!! 👇

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGW5MgRBbI/2I8w-SL1-L1lPe_KN0ClhQ/view?utm_content=DAGW5MgRBbI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdcd795616f