Balance Horsemanship

01/02/2025

It's important to me that horses feel safe, comfortable and loved being touched around their heads, at liberty we can use touch in place of a halter to direct and guide the horse if they are willing to accept our touch.

Touch gives us an opportunity for physical connection with our horses and exchange emotions and information through feel.

A gentle caress, a soft rub, a light brush, a firm touch explore and dwell on the emotions, feel and information you can exchange with your horse through touch.

01/02/2025

Preparation demo talks and music ready for a wonderful evening...

01/02/2025

Rider places still available.

Liberty, groundwork, tricks, flatwork, pole work, obstacles....

Make a wish and we'll do our best to make it come true....

31/01/2025

Hrymur at a Playday: Huggie as I called him everything I love about an Icelandic, sensitive, generous, kind and trusting.

Huggie came to me for to be restarted and gain confidence in riding again. I did lots of work on being able to be around, behind, beside him in or with movement to gain his trust and acceptance of energy around his body.

He was an absolute treasure to work with and we did lots of hacking and a little bridle less riding together before he found a new home at Penthills Icelandics in Scotland.

Sometimes I wish I'd kept him, as he's the only horse I've ever ridden that I said to myself, I'd ride him to the end of the Earth and back. He was that comfortable and enjoyable that once going we could have gone on together forever!!!

29/01/2025

Feeling funky?! Hurrah! You can always play Joy Bingo. I even made you a board to play the game (asking for suggestions from unsuspecting JoyRide members) but if you think it's rubbish, you can make your own 😆

Here's how you play the game...

1. Make a 5 x 5 grid on a piece of paper.

2. Fill in the squares with activities that make you joyful— horse related, things you might not do often but always love when you make the effort, things that feel important but you might forget to do, things that you love...

3. Stick it somewhere obvious and visible.

4. Cross off squares as you complete them.- give yourself a week a month, whatever.

If you yell BINGO you get extra points. We won't hear you, but you will have our undying support and respect.

What other Joy Bingo Bringers can we add to our ever-growing list?

And most importantly:

A sense of humour is an important nervous system regulation tool.

Take things seriously, hold as much as you can lightly. That's what allows for the long game.

Yours in love, joy and hopefulness,

xx Jane

29/01/2025

Relationships are about trusting the process of communication. Often the best response is to watch and wait for the decision to be made before stepping in with a response.

In the morning, Quora came in from her pasture and had asked to go into a stall. She was in there munching hay when I went to get her to tack her up and ride.
Although I normally bring her out into the aisle at liberty, she had already been groomed so I went into the stall with the halter, as that’s what I ride her in.

I opened the door and entered the stall, she picked her head up, looked at me, made a kind of ‘blech’ face then turned away from me. The back door of the stall was open to a paddock and she slowly walked out.

There were so many ways to think about or ‘address’ that scenario. Was she being disrespectful? Was she telling me that she hated riding, or hated me? Did she need to be ‘corrected or did I need to walk away? Should I have ‘done’ something?

Should I feel like a failure that my young horse doesn’t like me? Or should I feel like a failure because I hadn’t trained her to give me her full attention when I enter her space? for so many people those would be the only 2 options for how to feel about this.

I decided to do nothing and just observe. I decided to be curious.

She walked out into the paddock and got a drink from the waterer. Yes, there was water in her stall, but I had already observed that she prefers the outside waterer, perhaps because it’s less noisy.

After getting a drink she walked back into the stall and into the aisle and stuck her head in the halter that I was still holding. I guess I’m not such a failure after all.

I thought about the day before when Dana and I were going somewhere, he was already outside and came in the kitchen to let me know we needed to go. I held up my finger to say: ‘just 1 minute’ and turned to get a drink of water. I thought about how absolutely normal that scenario was. There was no pressure or disobedience. Dana didn’t feel like a failure or that I had disrespected him. It was just 2 people in a relationship moving through life together.

How else could Quora have possibly have told me that she was thirsty? I love that my horses feel free to do things like that. It means she ‘got’ what is happening and she simply wanted to have a drink before doing it. No, I don’t know exactly what she was thinking, but sometimes things simply are as they seem.

I was glad I didn’t ‘correct’ her or feel bad about myself. Keeping me feeling good about myself isn’t my horse’s responsibility anyway… but that’s a different story.

I know probably some people are going to make arguments that she should look at me when I enter the stall, she shouldn’t turn away, blah, blah blah.

I wonder if that would be the same people who also would say that when my husband walks in the room I need to give him full attention and I don’t dare hesitate when he says it’s time to leave... even if I'm thirsty.

We are each allowed to have the relationship we want with our horses. Just make sure it’s working for you and your horse.

29/01/2025

29/01/2025

28/01/2025

"there's nothing you can't do when the horse becomes a part of you"

Dancing with Smushy at the South West Iberian Show

Such a wonderful evening getting to showcase relationship and the heart of the Lusitano horses, their power, expression and kindness are incredible.

Ever horse breed has its own unique traits part of working with the horse is knowing the breed history, knowing what their talents are and helping them to be the best they can be.

28/01/2025

Bemer is being used by horse owners and riders all over the world, the Horse set offers three setting
P1 - 5 mins Low intensity
P2 - 10 mins Low and Medium intensity
P3 - 15 mins Low, Medium and High intensity

Just 5 mins of feeling the BEMER frequency can have your horse more relaxed, muscles warm and better prepared for work.

Contact me for more details

27/01/2025

Come and join me and my horses for an evening of education and equestrian art 💖

25/01/2025

Bemer is the most easy and incredible therapy for your horse. combining 20 years of research and development to provide the very best experience for your horse to be optimised in his circulatory system.

Since the circulatory system is the transport and provision for every reaction within the body, BEMER has an impact on health, comfort, performance, wellbeing and emotional regulation

Message for more info Whats App 07927026819

25/01/2025

Are you ready to delve into understanding your horse, developing your relationship, working on groundwork, liberty or riding.

Pretty much open to teaching ANYTHING!!!! I always start where a combination is at and build for the next step.

Young horses very welcome.

Please book in via Hopoti - Balance Horsemanship

Wonder chance to be indoors with your horse, in a friendly kind environment and just spend some time enjoying learning together with your horse.

Poles and obstacles can be arrange too if you would like to practice TREC or Working Equitation exercises.

25/01/2025

What scope, power and such a beautifully ridden round. I don't follow much show jumping but it reminds me of the incredible athletic capabilities of horses. Love the appreciation for his horse at the end too.

24/01/2025

Came home from a ride on Sellie and Smushy noticed I had snacks, how could anyone resist this look???

Or does he simply have me wrapped around his hooves 🥰

Any how have a safe weekend with the crazy weather warnings and take good care of yourselves ❤️

20/01/2025

The most beautiful thing we can offer our horses is emotional safety, a place they can relax and be themselves and interact with openness and curiosity

When a man is gentle, soft, and consistently respects you, your nervous system begins to heal. Emotional safety is one of the greatest gifts in a relationship. It’s not just about being in love; it’s about feeling secure, cared for, and valued. That’s why some women have a unique glow when they are loved right—it’s the emotional safety that makes all the difference.

When a woman feels safe, her stress levels drop, her mind feels clearer, and her heart feels lighter. She can finally relax and be herself without fear of judgment or rejection. Emotional safety gives her the freedom to grow and thrive in ways she couldn’t before. It allows her to focus on her dreams, her health, and her happiness.

Many women, however, struggle with emotional pain because they lack this kind of safety in their relationships. Without respect and gentleness, a woman’s heart stays guarded, and her mind stays on high alert. This constant tension can lead to anxiety, sadness, and even health problems. Healing begins when someone offers her love that feels steady, kind, and real.

A man who wants to create emotional safety for his partner doesn’t need to do anything extraordinary. Small, thoughtful actions make the biggest difference. Listening to her, respecting her feelings, and showing kindness every day help build trust. It’s not about solving all her problems—it’s about being there for her, no matter what.

When a woman feels emotionally safe, she finds her true self again. So many women are taught to hide their feelings or needs to avoid upsetting others. But when they feel safe, they can finally let go of those fears and embrace who they are. This freedom helps them feel more confident and alive.

That glow women have when they’re loved right? It comes from feeling whole and balanced inside. Emotional safety doesn’t just brighten her mood; it brings out her natural beauty, joy, and strength. She laughs more easily, her eyes shine brighter, and her presence feels warm and comforting.

When a man offers emotional safety, it’s not just the woman who benefits—the relationship grows stronger too. Trust deepens, communication improves, and the bond becomes unbreakable. Both partners feel supported and loved, creating a connection that can weather any storm.

For men, offering this kind of love means being patient, understanding, and willing to grow. It means learning how to listen, express their own feelings, and create a relationship built on respect and care. A man who can offer this becomes not only a better partner but also a stronger, kinder person.

Every woman deserves a relationship where she feels valued and supported, not one where she has to fight for respect or love. When a woman is loved in a way that helps her heal, she becomes her best self—and this transformation can inspire everyone around her.

At the heart of every thriving relationship is emotional safety. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being consistent, kind, and reliable. When a woman feels safe, she blossoms, and that light spreads to everyone in her life. Emotional safety isn’t just love—it’s love done right.

- Abhikesh

19/01/2025

The lovely Smartie from Langaller Farm - Charles Upham having her first trot online with a pad on.

Really fun to use the TREC corridors to teach her to look where she's going, go straight and forward.

Going slow and steady with her education, she's got a wonderful character and it's wonderful to feel her learning and developing her confidence