Beautiful, 🥶 afternoon, ✨️
Had a great session with P and Merlin had good fun sniffing for 🐀 🙈
#bridgingheartsandhooves #behaviourist #coldweather #ice #winterhorses
✨️A Special Morning with the Next Generation✨️
This morning was nothing short of extraordinary! I had the privilege of working with three young girls and their adorable minis. Despite the freezing weather, they showed remarkable focus, an incredible willingness to learn, and were an absolute joy to work with.
Throughout the session, we explored the basics of working with horses, emphasizing connection, patience, and understanding. The girls not only listened attentively but also applied what they learned with enthusiasm, proving that even the youngest horse lovers can build meaningful partnerships with their ponies.
By the end of the session, I couldn’t help but marvel at how well-matched they are with their minis. It’s not every day you see such perfect pairs—it was truly heartwarming to witness. Moments like these remind me why I love introducing the younger generation to the world of horses.
❤️ A huge well done to these exceptional young ladies for their effort and spirit. I can’t wait to see where their journey with their ponies takes them!
❓️Did You Know❓️
Horses, like humans, can respond to stress with fight, flight, or freeze—but there’s another layer: ⚡️shutdown.⚡️
A shutdown state isn’t just a momentary response; it’s the result of deep trauma, where the horse disconnects from interaction entirely. This state often develops when previous attempts at communication or escape have consistently failed, leaving the horse feeling helpless.
M's trauma led him to a complete shutdown in interactions with us, —a state where he seemed frozen, unable to engage or react. Instead of pushing him, we offered him something different: time, space, and presence.
In the arena, he is free to roam, explore, or stand still. No calls, no touch, no pressure. His owner simply sits, quietly supporting when M chooses to engage. And slowly, we see him come back to life and beginning to reconnect with his environment and himself.
This process isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about rebuilding trust and allowing the horse to rediscover his natural state at his own pace.
Healing takes time, but every small step—every blink, sniff, or moment of curiosity—is a sign of progress.
✨️If your horse seems distant or disengaged, consider this: sometimes, doing less is the most powerful thing you can do.✨️
❓️Did You Know❓️
✨️The simplest task—leading your horse, at a comfortable, matching pace—can reveal so much about your relationship. Just by how your horse walks beside you, I can tell where the two of you stand in your connection. It’s not as simple as it seems.
Every second spent with your horse is an opportunity to communicate, and every interaction must be carefully tended to. Over time, this mindful approach becomes the foundation of how you and your horse talk to one another—a language built on trust, respect, and understanding.
Horses feel everything: our energy, our intentions, and even the way we stand in their presence. They notice the smallest details, and they respond in kind. Some will resist and fight; others will retreat, shutting down and submitting to avoid discomfort.
M has adopted a mental escape, a bit of a freeze mode as a way to close off when interactions feel overwhelming or confusing—not because dad is unkind, but because he, like many of us, didn’t realize that love alone isn’t enough. It has to be love in their language.
This is why I will never stop saying: it’s up to us to learn how to communicate in a way our horses understand. (If you need it ofcourse)
To everyone asking why, to everyone who feels that something is missing or lacking in their connection—I applaud you. By seeking a different approach, by stepping onto the path of learning and understanding, you’re opening the door to a relationship that is richer, deeper, and more meaningful.
Let’s remember, every moment we spend with a horse is an opportunity to build a bridge. It’s a chance to connect, to listen, and to speak their language.
✨️
❤️ Nyree and Poppy- beautifully moving forward ✨️ thank you and proud of you.
"The freedom is in , not expecting "
It seems like the most basic thing we should all start with, yet it often becomes an achievement that needs explaining: spending time with our horses without any expectations. In a world where we are often focused on results, goals, and tasks, this simple act can feel revolutionary. But when we let go of the need for anything in return, we open the door to a deeper connection. This is when the magic happens – when trust, respect, and true partnership can begin to flourish naturally, without pressure.
We can learn so much by just sitting there. Watching.
Big news ...
✨ A New Chapter for Bridging Hearts and Hooves ✨
What an unforgettable adventure these past 13 days have been! Four of those days were dedicated to clinics filled with magnificent horses and incredible people, and my heart is brimming with gratitude.
I am beyond thrilled to share some monumental news: Bridging Hearts and Hooves is officially expanding abroad! We will be establishing our very own yard and embracing a new way of life for horses—a vision that feels like the culmination of everything we’ve worked for.
This is more than just a step; it’s a leap into a dream that has been quietly burning inside me for years: to create a space where the change we’ve started can truly flourish, where horses and humans alike can find connection, understanding, and growth.
Our big move is planned for spring 2025, and while I can’t fully comprehend what awaits us, one thing is certain—I am ready. Driven by passion, faith, and belief in what we stand for, I know we are stepping into something extraordinary.
To every single person and horse who has been a part of this journey, thank you from the depths of my heart. Your support, trust, and energy have made this possible, and I carry each of you with me as we take this monumental step forward.
Here’s to the next chapter, to dreams taking flight, and to the incredible journey ahead!
❤️🌿 “Credendo Vides” 🌿❤️
❓️ Did you know ❓️
Horses have an incredible natural ability to stay present, sense their surroundings, and settle after moments of high energy.
However, when their instincts are constantly triggered, these responses can dull, leading to automatic, reactive flight.
This is why intentional, mindful interactions are so important—they form the real foundation of trust. Everyday moments, like a horse walking with you—neither pulling, dragging, bumping into you, nor lagging behind—are more than just tasks.
✨️They’re the groundwork for a relationship where both horse and human are in sync, aware, and connected at every step.✨️
Our star Olive - demonstrates that perfectly..
I am here for them and their needs.
