Horse Conversations

08/12/2024

This is not (only) about the big namens in the international arena’s.

This is about the organizations behind those events.

This is about the sponsors of those events.

This is about the visitors of those events.

This is about the media for those events.

This is about the trainers at the local stables.

This is about the stable owners.

This is about the boarding clients.

This is about you. And me.

These psychological patterns are apparent in all of us. In all levels of the equestrian sport and recreation.

We must change.
Collectively.

We ALL must do our part.

This is not about who rides at what level. Who is better than who.

This is about your willingness to learn, to open up, to get informed. And make better choices. If you have won gold in the Olympics or just the day between job, stables and groceries.

Be prepared to face the consequences and we will come out better at the other side. Better for horses.

Start your learning journey right now, no matter where you are.

07/12/2024

Since I call my dog “the best dog in the world” she got too much arrogance in herself and started becoming leash aggressive, charging at other dogs, growling and snapping. I guess she’s just confident 💁🏼‍♀️

Said no dog person ever. Like wtf. Wouldn’t it be ridiculous to put such human traits on a dog? An animal we do have in our home, who does share similar emotions and habits but still we realize that such behaviors are not normal, nor healthy and good for them?

Yet, with horse, which we DENY any kind of empathy towards our own humanity by forcing them to perform under control by metal and leather, the elite draws on them such ridiculous feelings and egocentric behaviors like arrogance through winning competitions.

One must be very silly to assume such.
Unfortunately it’s just one of the most successful riders in modern dressage.

The need for real behaviorists has never been greater.

Isabell Werth on how success in the show ring “changes” horses.

Apparently, a horse going from calmly tolerating horses passing them or walking near them to pinning their ears flat back any time another horse comes close is evidence of “arrogance” and a sense of the horse knowing how talented they are…

Instead of, you know, a sign that the horse has learned through experience that competitions are stressful, other horses may be a potential threat and is now displaying signs of more discomfort than they previously showed.

This level of anthropomorphism is delusional and harmful to the horse.

Horses do not have the capacity to be “arrogant.”

They don’t know they’re winners.

They don’t even know how competition is structured, what constitutes a win and what the purpose of their travel around the world to compete even is.

Wendy, the horse, is simply displaying signs of behavioural change that speaks more for an increase of stress than it does for anything else.

I am so sick and tired of elite riders trying to rebrand communication of stress, pain discomfort etc as signs of an exceptional and successful horse.

The reason why so many competition horses behave in this way is because of the shared similarities in trauma… not because they win.

06/12/2024

I love this and this is exactly why I advocate for kind training methods - because when the horse feels scared it won’t reach its potential. If you want your horse to learn something make him feel safe. Period.

Although a lot of old fashioned folk think the old rules work best - they are based in fear and compliance.

While the oh so controversial food reward actually makes them feel safe.

But you wouldn’t need science for that. You could experience yourself first hand if you would give it a try. Except, this would ask for courage. From you.

Comparative neurobiology of horse and human.

Horses and humans are both mammals.
Our brains may not be the same size, but they are almost identical in their structure and function.

Why can our brains look so similar but our behaviours and sensitivity to the world look so different?

The area in the picture highlighted is the prefrontal cortex or the (PFC). Its job in humans, horses, dogs, dolphins, elephants, cats, mice, rats, all mammals, and even birds is to carry out "higher executive functions" such as:

🧠 problem solving
🧠 decision making
🧠 reasoning
🧠 risk assessment
🧠 forward planning
🧠 impulse control
🧠 intention

Obviously, these executive functions are more advanced in humans than in other species of mammals, but this part of the brain plays a pivotal role in higher levels of learning beyond primal behaviours and learning survival skills.

So why aren't we seeing these higher executive functioning skills and behaviours in horses as much as what we see them in dogs, dolphins, elephants and even birds?

Ultimately it comes down to safety!

The latest neuroscience research suggests that when the brain feels unsafe it causes the body to produce stress response hormones and these stress response hormones cause the PFC to go "offline".
This means that subcortical regions of the brain (deeper parts of the brain) such as the primal brain (AKA limbic system, survival brain, flight/fight brain) completely take over to increase the chances of survival.

Feeling unsafe causes the feeling of fear and it is fear that gets this party started.

So behaviours come from two areas:

1. The PFC, carrying out problem solving skills, reasoning, impulse control, forward planning etc. that may be interpreted as "obedience" and "partnership".

2. The primal brain, carrying out reactive survival behaviours. This brain does NOT carry out impulse control, forward planning, problem solving, etc. It just reacts to the world. This brain heavily relies on patterns and consistency. This brain will cause freeze/flight/fight behaviours such as shutting down, bolting, biting, rearing, bucking, kicking, barging, etc.

Which brain is the domesticated horse spending most of it's time in?
It's primal brain!

This is why we don't get to see their full intellectual and cognitive potential because most of the time, domesticated horses are perceiving their world in a fearful way to some degree.

We can help our horses with this!

Feeling fearful is the OPPOSITE to feeling calm.
If we want to help our horses access their PFC then we MUST do whatever it takes to help them feel calm.

☝️ ONLY when a brain feels calm can it slow down enough to develop TRUE confidence. Only when the brain feels confident will it access TRUE cognition (PFC).

☝️ We first need to understand that when we get "bad behaviour" from our horses, it's not intentional or naughty or rude. What you are seeing is either a horse that is just reacting to the fear they feel or they are carrying out their "coping mechanism" in response to their anticipation of feeling fear.

☝️ Try to remove expectations that your horse should "know better".
"Knowing better" implies that all behaviours are coming from the PFC and there should be some impulse control and reasoning. Unless your horse feels calm, they can't access the PFC to "know better".

THIS STARTS WITH YOU!!!

You need to be consciously aware if YOU feel calm first. If you feel calm, your horse will have a better chance at feeling calm. Expecting them to feel calm when you don't is unfair.

The best way to create calmness is to intentionally be SLOW!!!
SLOW EVERYTHING you do down.
SLOW your movement down.
SLOW your talking down.
SLOW your walking down.
SLOW your breathing down.
SLOW your horse down.
If you feel too slow, then you're going slow enough.

Calmness is slow, not fast.

This will help you and your horse to connect and feel safe together.
When the brain feels stressed, the stress response hormones cause the body to speed up.

Stress = speed

We can reverse engineer this process and create a calm mind through slow intentional movement and a relaxed posture.

The by-product of a calm brain is confidence and cognition (PFC access).

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 😊

Photo: Credit: Adult horse (equine) brain, sagittal section. Michael Frank, Royal Veterinary College. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

05/12/2024

Reposting one of my favorite graphics until it reaches every corner, mind and heart.

There is always more to behavior than what most people think. We can’t assume that animals (and children too, for that matter) always share their needs with us in a constructive way - how could they? Animals don’t even speak our language. So behavior is their way of communicating with us.

Saying that behavior is ‘naughty’ and ‘on purpose’ is so short sighted and does a terrible injustice to animals and children.

Horses are incapable of doing things to us ‘on purpose’. They only do what they think they should do. If you don’t like it what you’re seeing, then you have to find out WHY the horse does it and to what extent YOU evoke that behavior.

Because communication is always a two way street.

Guilt has no place in a relationship. So, if you want a true relationship with your horse, stop the blaming. Watch your words. Be brave. Ask questions. And face the answers.

It will tell you a lot about yourself.

You might grow here.

04/12/2024

We can train and manage and condition our horses - but we can’t change the fact that they are horses.

Horses are prey animals. Their whole existence is wrapped around the ever on going play in nature between prey and predator.
Their whole being has evolved around the behavior and skills they need to play this game.

They played this game more than 50 million years.
The 5000 years of domestication won’t change that soon.

Your horse is supposed to spook from noise and sight.
Your horse is supposed to bolt when it feels threatened.
Your horse is supposed to buck off what’s on his back.
Your horse is supposed to search for food.
Your horse is supposed to be buddy sour.

All what we call „vices“ is simply a surviving mechanism, implanted deeply into the DNA of every horse.

Your horse lives in a human world, where he has no handbook for in his genes. He is just being a horse.

It’s your task to show him trust, patience, calmness, strength, assertiveness and fairness. But you have to be like this yourself.

You cannot expect what you are not ready to give.

It’s your responsibility to help your horse navigate.

Acts of aggression, confining him, calling him names, defining him as „naughty“, does not teach or proof any horse to behave the right way. It only shows your capability of teaching a horse.

There are so many techniques, methods, tools and trainers all defining „bad behavior“ and their solutions, all hustling and managing around a horse to bend and press it into a form. All of them, that claim to be so knowledgeable, so experienced, so wise, have forgotten, that the horse is just a horse.

It’s our responsibility to make sure they are heard 👉🏻
Learn how to read them and care for them as the owner and trainer they deserve ✨

01/12/2024

To withhold an animal from executing his species appropriate patterns is not animal friendly.
If an animal does not show appropriate patterns, it’s a reason for serious welfare concerns.

Thanks to behaviral studies from real scientists, we do know a lot about appropriate behavior patterns of most animals, especially our domesticated ones.
It is no secret to specifically and exactly know what a horse needs to live a species appropriate (and fulfilled) live.
The problem lies in the patterns of humans who listen to “what we’ve always done” and stick with old believes.

What is a behavior pattern?
We can organize the behaviors we observe in functional cycles that follow a certain pattern. Within these patterns, every species has their own appropriate behavior circles that can be further organized in function, time or order.
How often, long or intense a certain behavior is displayed, then becomes predictable and helps us to understand the individual animal and its species. It also is the best indicator to notice when something is not right.

We call this an ethogram.

Every species has its own ethogram, put together by years of observation.
An ethogram contains descriptions of appropriate behavior, for example:
- General forms of movement
- Comfort and care
- Acquiring and taking in food
- Orientation�and so on…

For example: We do know that non-stop grazing and searching forage is part of the species appropriate behavior of horses. Same as having strong social bonds and practicing social grooming.

When we label behavior as inconvenient or dangerous and manage their surrounding that forbid these patterns, we enter a welfare discussion with nature we by no means can win.
We are no gods.
We can’t change what horses are.
We can’t change what nature is.

We can’t possibly control nature without paying a prize - a prize which we are just starting to realize how much it already had cost us.

Stalling horses in boxes, giving them minimal turnout and let them go without forage, friends and freedom is not species appropriate nor animal friendly. That’s not just someones opinion, its written down, in science, since decades.

We CAN do better.
Let me show you how 👉🏻

27/11/2024

The horse - the privilege

From all the human feelings one can have towards horses, there’s one that should top it all: gratefulness.

I’m all here for turning things around and changing mindset.

It’s us who need to have respect for them.

Horses did not choose to be we with us. They did not choose to be used as a tool for practical or emotional purposes.
We choose to bring them into our lives. But we don’t need them.

However, in this world, there is no stone left unturned. This world is made for humans. And we can’t give them back what our ancestors took from them.

They need us. They need us to take care of their BASIC needs and requirements - free movement, free forage, free friends.
So simple, yet, we fail to provide on a grand, systematic scale. And then we turn it around and think they owe us some kind of service.

How twisted is that?
While, when I look at his face, all I see is pure intent, striving for harmony and curiosity towards life.
Qualities, I often miss in my life and humans of this society.

How lucky we are to have horses, to be able to learn from them, connect with them.

That this horse is in my life comes close to a miracle. Like I’ve moved mountains to make it possible. And all I’ve ever expect from him is to continue breathing. And I do all I can to make sure he does.

Because it is my responsibility and I am grateful for that.

The end.

Now you.

24/11/2024

My dear Sol arrived today in Germany 💖✨
No worries, he’s staying with me 🥰
We are just moving back home 🇩🇪

Thanks to PaardenVervoer-Natúúrlijk for the qualitative, trustworthy and friendly transport!

22/11/2024

🕵️‍♀️ It’s Not Too Late to Observe and Decode! 🕵️‍♂️

There’s still time to dive into the Observe and Decode Challenge before we wrap it up tomorrow! 🌟

Why should you participate? Let’s get real:

* Your horse is always communicating. The question is—are you listening?
* Recognizing subtle cues can be the difference between early intervention and missed warning signs.
* Understanding their body language isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for their health and happiness.
*
Here’s what to do next:

1️⃣ Choose a moment to observe—feeding time, turnout, or grooming.
2️⃣ Use the Body Language Homework to jot down key details: Ears? Posture? Tension? Energy?
3️⃣ Reflect on what these signs mean. Are they calm, alert, or maybe showing discomfort?

Engaging Questions for You:

🤔 What’s the most surprising thing you’ve noticed about your horse this week?
💡 How do they express relaxation vs. stress?
💬 Have you picked up on a subtle cue you missed before?

The videos and materials are all in the Weekly Challenge Channel on the platform, ready for you to catch up. Remember, these insights can transform how you connect with your horse!

⏳ Don’t miss this chance to refine your skills. Tomorrow we’ll tie everything together with our final wrap-up video, so make sure to join in now.
Drop your findings in the group—we’re here to learn together! 🐴❤️

21/11/2024

Time is an illusion - even more so when you’re moving countries with a household and a horse 🐴

I just can’t find the time to be on here regularly atm 🙏But I am active in our platform, for the challenge, for the course update and all the extras so come join me there!

Usually the doors are closed up until exclusive dates - but I’ve opens ALL the courses up for you

👉🏻 Confident Connection - the All-In solution to become a horse expert yourself, covering physiology, psychology, management, hoof care, self development and so on ..

👉🏻 Applied Horse Psychology - the introduction course to get you started in equine behavior and training

👉🏻 The Masterclasses - Body Language Mastery and Your Training Foundation

ALL include acces to the private community.

So if you’ve waited for one course to open, this is your chance!
We’re still in the middle of the Observe and Decode Challenge so jump right in 🌟

I will keep you updated on our moving, where Sol will move to and how that is going!

Stay tuned and stay followed even if it’s a bit more quiet. After the move we’ll be back for more shenanigans and challenging the status quo in the equine industry 💪🏻

🚨 your discount code to use on any course you like:
GOINGHOME

💖 see you there

17/11/2024

Ready to deepen your connection with your horse and unlock the secrets of their body language? 🐴 Join the Observe and Decode Challenge! This week-long experience will teach you how to recognize and interpret your horse’s subtle signals, from posture to behavior cues, helping you understand what they’re really trying to tell you.

To participate, all you need is access to the Body Language Masterclass! 🎓
🔗 The masterclass includes:
✅ A full-length webinar teaching you the essentials of equine body language.
✅ The Read Your Horse Homework workbook to kickstart your observations.
✅ Access to the Weekly Challenge Channel in my exclusive community.

🚨 Don’t wait—the challenge starts Monday, and the current offer won’t last long.

Join the Masterclass & Challenge Here
https://www.horseconversations.nl/en/educationhub

This is your chance to step up for your horse and build a stronger bond like never before. Let’s decode together! 💙

15/11/2024

🖤 Stop Guessing. Start Understanding.

Every flick of an ear, every swish of a tail—your horse is speaking to you. The question is: Do you know what they’re saying?

The Observe and Decode Challenge is here to help you unlock the language of your horse. Inside this exclusive weekly challenge, you'll learn to:
�✨ Decode your horse’s subtle cues.�✨ Spot signs of discomfort or stress early.�✨ Build a deeper, more trusting connection.

💡 How to Join?�All you need is access to my Body Language Masterclass—your gateway to this transformative experience. Plus, it grants you access to the Weekly Challenge Channel in my community where all the magic happens!

⚠️ Limited Time Offer: The masterclass is currently on sale, but this price won’t last once the challenge kicks off. Don’t miss your chance to join at this incredible value.

➡️ Click the link in the comments to sign up now. Your horse is counting on you!

🐴 Ready to observe, decode, and connect? Let’s get started!

07/11/2024

If you want a true partnership or friendship with your horse, you must look for the other end of dominance. Because dominance is what we all got taught about how to deal and interact with nature and the creatures in it.

We are taught - consciously or unconsciously - to dominate the soil, plants, insects, wildlife, pets, horses, cattle and even children.

If you agree with it or not - this is our upbringing and how society is structured.

Every time I meet new clients, I have to carefully unravel the layers of dominance, looking for how implemented they are. Because my clients are mostly women I don’t have to wait long for the releasing words „I want to be a partner, a friend for my horse“.
Sigh.
Dear horsewomen, don’t you ever get astray from that inner calling and feeling 🙏

„I don’t want my horse to fear me. I want her to want to be with me.“

Dominance is on the other end of friendship. Ethology says: submissive behavior is the avoidance and ignoring of the more dominant animal. Members of the group that are lower in rank will often leave before the dominant one can get to close. There is no interaction. No contact. To be dominant is often to be isolated. And when there is contact, it’s tainted with stress, fear and defensiveness.

Should this be the tint of our interaction with the horses?

Even the toughest cowboys talk about contact and connection. Funny enough, it makes absolutely no sense to implement any of these dominance techniques that make you the „boss“ or “winner”. It has the opposite effect of what we want. Just ask yourself what you are really winning.

Once again, the feminine tenderness is the one that can get us where we want to be if we look for that connection - and it’s there for everybody. Don’t be afraid to use it with strength and confidence.

If you let that softness in, your horse can finally see you, so you can see yourself.

The way to become a better horse person is always through understanding. No magic tricks.

Start to understand. Take that extra step.

31/10/2024

There’s a common old-school belief in the horse world that says to get respect, you must “move their feet”—often by sending them away or making them circle to show who's in charge. This idea, based on outdated dominance theories, assumes a need to become an “alpha” through control.

But the truth? The dominance model has been debunked. Horses don’t operate in strict hierarchies led by force; instead, they form close social families based on mutual safety, trust, and shared resources.

So, why does this matter?
Because to truly connect with your horse, the goal isn’t to command; it’s to collaborate. Building a relationship through softness, empathy, and understanding—qualities often dismissed as “too soft” or “weak”—will actually bring you closer than any form of dominance ever could. This shift not only improves how your horse responds to you but also fosters patience and compassion in every other aspect of life. A gentler, more understanding approach could just be what the world needs—and it starts with our horses.

Control never birthed lightness, freedom and joy.
So why are we holding on to it, literally, with ropes and straps, clinging, like our lives depend on it?

💫 Ready to learn how to communicate without control? Embrace understanding over “moving feet” and watch your relationship flourish.

Understanding isn't difficult - it's a life long journey you take step by step.
Make your first step and join in on our Applied Horse Psychology Course & Platform.
The doors are open for 3 more days so make sure you check the link in my bio

29/10/2024

🚨 24-Hour Early Bird Reminder! 🚨

If you’ve been thinking about joining the Applied Horse Psychology Course, now’s the time! The early bird deal ends tomorrow, and with it, your chance to snag these exclusive perks:

🌟 Best Discount Available
�🌟 Bonus 1:1 Coaching Call for personalized guidance
�🌟 Lifetime Access to the course and community
�🌟 Future Discount on Confident Connection Course

This is more than a course; it’s the foundation of a new, ethical approach to horsemanship. Build the skills that create deeper understanding and lasting change for you and your horse. You’ll only find this early bird offer here—don’t let it pass by!

Tap the link and join today!

https://linktr.ee/horseconversations?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d8df6f1f-1aa7-4a1a-9802-2ae62eef670c&fbclid=IwY2xjawGNUYtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRI-9hWyb5GDnxX8VIED5oMLPztw7qdvFDXo3mc3x_DGFTnODRc-Hjs93w_aem_FdYK37C4Q6iAyARAj5BvRg

28/10/2024

🌟 Doors are Now Open!

1️⃣ There was a time I thought I had it all figured out—working with horses using natural horsemanship gave me tools to handle difficult horses without the pressure of performance goals.

2️⃣ But no matter how many techniques I tried, something felt missing. It was like I was scratching the surface without ever truly understanding who horses are and how they’re wired.

3️⃣ Diving into equine psychology changed everything. Knowing the science behind how horses think and feel opened up a whole new world—one where we communicate like we’re speaking the same language.

4️⃣ I created this course to share this knowledge. A place for us to understand, backed by real science, ethical practices, and the goal of forging a true bond with our horses.

5️⃣ This course is for every horse lover ready to leave outdated methods behind and take a compassionate, informed approach to horse care.

💥 Are you ready to go deeper? Doors are open! Tap the link to join us now!

https://linktr.ee/horseconversations?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d8df6f1f-1aa7-4a1a-9802-2ae62eef670c

26/10/2024

🧠 Did You Know? 🧠

Horses don’t have a human-like ability to reason or rationalize. Instead, they rely on instinct to react to their environment. You can’t ‘talk’ or ‘reason’ them out of fear or discomfort because their responses are hard-wired for survival.
Hint: But we can lock-on into their brain responses through understanding and connection. Guiding them to better answers, trust and safety. 
👉 Knowledge of horse psychology isn’t optional; it’s essential for anyone who works with horses!


👀 Horse Vision: How They See the World 👀

Horses’ eyes are geared to detect movement instantly—even subtle shifts in light or shadow can feel like a real threat. So, if they spook at what seems like ‘nothing’ to us, it’s because they’re seeing the world through high developed prey-animal eyes.
Hint: All of the horses senses work a bit different - and in my eyes - better than the humans. Learn to understand them and they will show you how to enhance yours.
👉 Understanding how horses see the world builds trust and prevents misunderstandings.


📚 Learning Theories vs. Practical Training 📚

When training horses, timing and consistency are everything. Knowing how and when to reinforce a behavior can mean the difference between a calm, connected horse and one that’s confused or stressed.
Hint: Theory isn’t everything, especially when it’s man-made from a century ago. Let’s dive in how this translates into our modern ethical understanding and how we can make use of what actually serves the horses.
👉 If you know how horses learn, you can guide them with clarity, not frustration.


💡 Coming Soon: Applied Horse Psychology! 💡

This course offers you a foundational understanding of horse psychology—ideal for every rider, handler, and trainer! Dive into the essentials, including insights from a studied equine behaviorist. Affordable, accessible, at your own pace. Join a community of horse advocates like you and get ready to elevate your connection with horses.

👉 Save this post and be ready for Monday’s launch! ✨

23/10/2024

📣 It’s Official! 🎉 The Applied Horse Psychology Foundation Course is coming on Monday, the 28th! 🚀

This course is for everyone who wants to master the basics of horse psychology—from how horses see the world to understanding their brain and behavior. 🧠✨ Whether you’re new to horses or a seasoned rider, this course is your chance to lay the ultimate foundation for better, kinder, and more effective horse training.

Here’s why you need this:

* Learn the 'Why' Behind Behavior: Stop guessing! Understand your horse’s instincts and emotions.

* Quick & Affordable: No time-consuming lessons or big investments—just actionable insights at a lower price!

* Step Into Success: Equip yourself with tools to solve behavior problems before they arise.

How does this differ from the Confident Connection course? 🤔�This is a shorter, more focused course that dives deep into the fundamentals of horse psychology. You’ll learn the essentials like:

* Brain anatomy & senses
* Learning theories
* Body language interpretation
* Basic Training Techniques�

But it won’t cover everything from anatomy, diet, and hooves to advanced training techniques. Perfect for those who want to start with the essentials before diving deeper.

Plus, you’ll still get access to our incredible community, where you can ask questions, share experiences, and get support from others on the same journey! 🌱

Interested? Drop a comment below saying “I’m interested!” and I’ll send you more details!

PS: Did you enrol in the ‘Understanding Horses Understanding Horsemanship’ Course in the past on the old platform? Let me know if you want to be on the new Learning Platform and the Community to get immediate access!