Harmonized Horsemanship

03/02/2025

🍃 The strongest thing you can offer your horse is softness. Softness of hand. Softness of heart. Softness of presence. Horses react to force, they don't follow it. What they follow is trust.

So many of us were taught that to gain respect, we have to be "in charge"—to make the horse listen, to establish dominance, to always be in control. But true leadership in horsemanship isn’t about control at all. It’s about trust. And trust is built through softness.

👉🏻 Softness doesn’t mean weakness.👈🏻 It means clarity. It means communication. It means recognizing the moments where less is more.

A horse who is met with force will brace. A horse who braces will develop their mind and body in a way that is not conducive to a happy life with humans. A horse who is met with patience will soften. A horse who softens will learn that what you ask of them helps them feel ✨better.✨

When you step into the barn today, ask yourself—am I using more pressure than I need? Am I listening as much as I’m asking? Am I giving my horse the space to trust me, or am I trying to make them do what I want? To follow my agenda? To appease my ego?

Because in the end, the softest thing always wins. 💛🐴

02/19/2025

I felt anxious today. The thoughts in my mind swirled around in a frenzy, adding to the feelings of tightness in my chest. My stomach felt like it was full of rocks, my breath got shorter and faster.

And somehow, in a moment of separation and clarity, this kind, quiet voice in my head spoke out above the noise.

"No, your body feels anxious. YOU are not anxious."

Some divine, beautiful wisdom from beyond that accessed my psyche at the most perfect time, presenting me with the beautiful gift of peace.

This small moment of removal from my human experience changed everything. For years, anytime I felt anxious, I made it a part of who I was.

"I'm anxious," I'd tell myself. It became part of my identity, my soul, who I was. And the more I told myself I was anxious, the more my body would experience those all-too-familiar feelings, which only fed the flames of thoughts in my mind. And so began the vicious cycle.

I've also gone to the other extreme. I've ignored the feelings and told myself "I'm not anxious." Guess what? That doesn't work either. Shutting yourself off from the human experience of being in a body only works for a short amount of time, and always results in some kind of explosion from too many ignored feelings.

See, what I was doing wrong in those two scenarios above was getting either engulfed by the human experience and losing sight of the fact that we are, indeed, not our bodies. Or, I was trying to ignore and remove the human experience altogether.

The beauty of this wild, messy, beautiful thing we call life is that we get to experience the sensations, thoughts and emotions of this body we are existing within. The challenge is to be able to remove yourself enough from that experience to realize that you are not your body. You are not your thoughts. You are not your anxiety. You are not your pain. You are not your anger.

You are the light within that gets to sit back and witness all of this crazy, exhilarating journey. You can separate yourself from your thoughts and your body enough to spare yourself of the suffering of the human condition, without completely disconnecting from the life we're each destined to experience.

Next time the thoughts in your head start swirling or the sensations in your body feel too overwhelming, remember: You are not those things. You can witness them, acknowledge them, and tend to them gently—the way you would a struggling child. Your body is a precious thing, the only one you will ever have. Be kind to it. Be kind to yourself.

Because life is short, fast, and beautifully designed—for you to experience, not just endure.

02/18/2025

Sometimes your training sessions look “productive.”

And sometimes your training sessions look like this.

Remember that the cold weather is hard on our equine friends, too, especially those with arthritis or medical challenges.

If your horse isn’t interested in working or doing things that they usually like to do, don’t push it. Their bodies may need something different or their minds might need a chance to rest in peace, while in the company of someone they feel safe with.

Honor the horse. always.

02/17/2025

Being an amateur horse owner can be so hard. I remember so many times as a teenager and young adult being told to do things that felt SO WRONG. Or being told things about my horse (i.e. “He’s trying to win and you can’t let him.”) that intrinsically felt so icky. I learned early on though, that you can’t speak up to a professional when you are an amateur and be heard.

For years, I silenced my intuition and all those gut feelings that said things were wrong, and I did what I was told. I trusted the professionals who were guiding me when they told me if I "didn’t do XYZ, then the horse would _______ (insert some violent retaliation here.)" For years, I believed that the feeling at the core of my existence was just fear, anxiety or worry.

Now I know what it was. It was my intuition SCREAMING at me, trying to wake me up to the fact that what was going on was not okay.

And so I forged my own path.

And now, years later, the first thing I tell people when they come to a clinic or show up to a lesson is this:

"If anything I do or anything I ask you to do does not feel right or good, I need you to tell me. There is always another way to do it and if it doesn’t feel good to you, it will not feel good to your horse.”

Because that’s how it should be. Owning a horse and having less experience than me does not mean that your opinion doesn’t matter or that what I say goes. Will I advocate for your horse? Yes. Will I speak up if what YOU are doing doesn’t feel good to ME? Yes. Will I also listen if you tell me that a technique I am using or an aid I’m asking you to apply feels bad to you?

100%.

We’re all here because we love the horse. That’s why we got into this. Remember that.

And to all the horse owners out there: trust your gut. listen to it. nobody has the right to tell you it’s wrong.

02/16/2025

✨ Shaping the 2025 Clinic Season—What Do YOU Want to See? ✨

I’m starting to plan my spring and summer clinic schedule and would love your input! My clinics are designed to create lasting, meaningful change—not just for the days we’re together, but well beyond. They’re immersive, transformative, and focused on helping you and your horse move through roadblocks with clarity, confidence, and connection.

I’ve typically leaned toward multi-day clinics because my work is deep and layered, but I know one-day clinics are sometimes more accessible for people. I want to help as many horses and humans as possible—so I’d love to hear from you!

👉 What kind of clinics would you love to see this year?
👉 Are you more drawn to one-day clinics or multi-day deep dives?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I can’t wait to create something special with you all! 🐴✨

01/31/2025

The most important lesson to teach a young horse?

That humans are meant to be friends (not food, if you have a bitey one 😉😂) and that we will always make time for quiet moments of connection and softness. 🫶🏻

01/27/2025

01/24/2025

🌟 We’ve Kicked Off the Winter Relationship Reset Challenge in the Harmonized Hub and the first exercise has been released! 🐴💫

This challenge is all about reconnecting with your horse, revisiting foundational exercises, and building the kind of trust and partnership that lasts a lifetime. Over the next month, participants will be diving into intentional, connection-based exercises (both with and without their horses!) to reset and strengthen their relationships.

✨ Why Join Us?
If you’ve ever wanted to:
👉🏻 Build a deeper connection with your horse.
👉🏻 Slow down and truly feel into the partnership.
👉🏻 Explore the “why” behind your horse’s behaviors.
👉🏻 Gain tools to approach challenges with empathy and clarity.
…this is your sign to hop in now! It’s not too late to join, and every moment you invest in your relationship with your horse is worth it.

🔥 BONUS: Completing the challenge will also enter you into a drawing to win exclusive Harmonized Horsemanship swag—because who doesn’t love a little extra motivation?

💡 Ready to join the journey?
The challenge is happening inside the Harmonized Hub, a members-only group. You’ll get access to all the exercises, videos, and reflections PLUS a supportive community of like-minded horse lovers cheering you on every step of the way.

➡️ https://harmonizedhorsemanship.com/harmonizedhub

Let’s reset, reconnect, and transform the way we show up for our horses. 🫶 Join us today! 🐴✨

01/22/2025

✨ “It’s a safe space here,” I said to the horse. “You need not be anything other than who you are. You are enough. We can navigate imperfections or fears together. And you are safe here.”

✨ “It’s a safe space here,” I said to the human. “You need not be perfect, you just have to show up and let the horse and I do the rest. You don’t need to plan or forecast the future. You are safe here.”

Our world can feel chaotic. It can feel scary. It can feel overwhelming and we can feel pressure from all sides closing in on us, demanding perfect timing, a perfect feel, a perfect appearance.

We don’t strive for that here, though. Here, we are safe.

We see imperfection in our horses and we immediately start planning on how to “fix it.” We see imperfection in ourselves and we immediately start planning on how to change it — how to cover the blemish or erase the lines of age and experience.

And then we are in a perpetual hunt for things to be different. For things to change, to improve, to be better.

And in that perpetual hunt, we lose the sense of safety, of belonging, of peace.

So, to anyone who needs it — you are safe here. You are safe to be you. Safe to show up as you need to show up. To be messy sometimes, to be overwhelmed.

It’s a safe space here. You need not be anything or anyone other than who you are.

01/22/2025

The part of horse training and management that takes precedence over any training goals or timelines.

Horse health and happiness first…always.

Here’s to the owners who are outside every couple of hours to monitor their horses’ health in these frigid temps.

Here’s to the owners who are checking waterers for ice. Here’s to the owners who are freezing their fingers to hang up their hose, or bringing hoses inside their house to keep from freezing.

Here’s to the owners switching blankets, double blanketing, or cleaning out shelters for their unblanketed horses. Here’s to the owners who are worried if their horse is staying warm enough with or without their blanket.

Here’s to the owners who are throwing countless flakes of loose hay out while making sure the round bale feeders don’t go empty.

Here’s to the owners praying that equipment starts, and hydraulics work smoothly. Here’s to the owners who figure it out when the equipment fails you.

Here’s to the messy mud room, filled with winter bibs, charged heated vests, boot dryers plugged in, and headlamps charged. Here’s to the countless pairs of gloves you have to swap out each time you venture outside.

Here’s to the rigorous training schedules, riding lessons, and busy barn coming to a halt. Here’s to putting the health of the animal’s first.

Here’s to the part of horse management that isn’t so glamorous. Thank you for all you are doing for the safety and wellbeing of your horses during this time.

Here’s to all of us ❄️🩵

01/18/2025

🌟 Ready to Reset Your Relationship with Your Horse? 🌟

We all know that the foundation of every great partnership—whether human or equine—is connection, trust, and understanding. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce the Relationship Reset Challenge, starting January 24th, exclusively in my members-only group, The Harmonized Hub! 🐴✨

This month-long challenge is all about revisiting foundational exercises to strengthen trust, deepen your bond, and create a more mindful relationship with your horse. It’s designed to meet you where you are—whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to refine your connection.

💡 What’s Included?
• Weekly connection-building exercises (just 2 per week—perfect for winter!)
• Guidance and prompts to help you reset and refocus from the warmth of your home!
• A supportive community cheering you on every step of the way!

🎁 Bonus: Complete the entire challenge, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win exclusive Harmonized Horsemanship swag!

💭 Why Join?
Because building a relationship with your horse isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about showing up, being present, and creating lasting trust and understanding.

🫶 Ready to take the next step in your journey?
Join The Harmonized Hub today for access to this challenge and so much more, including exclusive training videos, Q&A sessions, and a community of like-minded equestrians.

➡️ Click here to learn more and sign up: www.harmonizedhorsemanship.com/harmonizedhub

Let’s make 2025 the year of connection, trust, and transformation for you and your horse! 💛

01/14/2025

Little Miss Cleo the (formerly) defensive horse has made HUGE leaps and bounds and is learning to Ragdoll and soften with her mom, Katy! 🤩 It's always a special day when I get to see the human and the horse come together and find some true peace and relaxation.

01/13/2025

A big congratulations to Caroline on the full lease of the wonderful Poppy Pone! 😍 These two are a match made in heaven and it brings me such joy to see my mare so happy and fulfilled with consistent attention from someone she loves so much!

We've all been missing Caroline being around the barn since her horse passed away last year, and so it's extra special to be able to have her back in the HH fam!

Can't wait to see all the adventures these two will have together! 🥰

01/11/2025

I stopped in the middle of chores today to go out and lay down in the snow next to my horse.

Now, this may not seem like post-worthy news, but over the last two years, I was working so much with other people’s horses…and never spending time with my own.

I was too tired. Too busy. Too ________. I was riddled with excuses and reasons why it could wait until tomorrow. And so, even if I saw a horse of mine enjoying a nap or waiting by the fence for me, I’d mindlessly walk by and carry on with my to-do list.

And I know I’m not the only horse professional guilty of this.

I worked so much and so hard to help other people’s horses, and I started to lose sight of what it’s all about:

love for the horse.

love for MY HORSES.

They’re why I got into this in the first place. And they need to be the reason I keep going.

I’ve been prioritizing time with my own horses this year. I’ve been setting this intention to reconnect to the girl inside of me who couldn’t wait to get off work to get to the barn.

And today, in the middle of chores, that girl told me to put the truck in park, and hike across the pasture to lay down with my horse.

And so I did.

And guess what? The rest of the chores? The rest of the snow-filled morning trudging through drifts? The training sessions with other horses?

It all felt SO. GOOD.

Because my cup was full. Because I stopped to do something for me and my horse.

And so this is a reminder for all you horse professionals losing sight of the LOVE that made us choose this life, and for all you people who have a hard time prioritizing yourself and your needs amidst busy schedules and hectic days.

You’re so worth it. And so is your horse ❤️

01/09/2025

And we’ve got another newcomer to the HH Program…

Say hello to GINGERBREAD 😍 This is likely the most instantly infatuated I’ve been with a big red mare in a long time 🤣

GGB is here to try and get to the root cause of some highly defensive behavior during grooming and tacking. Major medical causes have been ruled out and the behavior has been present for years, so we are going to get to the bottom of it and help Miss GGB feel more at peace and have some ease 🥰

I’ll be documenting a lot of her journey for my Hub and Online members, as this is such a common problem and one that I think a lot of horses can benefit from! A big thanks to Genevieve Hawksley for trusting us to help her perfect girl!

01/07/2025

You know who never complains about the cold weather? The Fjord 🤣 Lena says, "The colder, the better! Bring it on, winter!" 🥶

Stay warm today everyone! 🫶🏻

01/06/2025

Some of the most impressive "frosted tips" from yesterday morning 😍 Thanks to Sarah for the pics of the trees! It was a BEAUTIFUL (even though chilly AF) day!