Hatha Equus

12/19/2025

Btw if you want to nerd out on the science, 📝DM us the word‘Study’ 👇and I’ll📥 DM you the link with explanation and resources so you can read it too 🙏🏻

Also, I am aware that some folks use the word “round-penning” with a different meaning than “cardio by chasing the horse around training spaces in circles”. Please know that in this video I am not talking about “connection work” or “join-up” type work. That might be a future video, but the focus here is those round-pen, arena and longeing practices that seek to exercise horses by chasing them with whips.

Lastly, I am telling my own story here, and my reaction to this study - not seeking to tell anyone what to do, or to shame anyone for what they are doing. Everyone has their own journey and I am committed to sharing the science that has helped me navigate how to train my horse in a way that’s aligned with my vision and values, over time. I’m a big believer that everyone should think with their own head and listen to their intuition and especially, to their horse.

🔍IF you are interested in sneak-peeking into the chasing-free cardio techniques that we’ve developed over-time, I’m happy to share: again, DM Hatha Equus the word “study”, go to the link and read your email (it will point you also to a free trial of our online program. Who knows, maybe our experience can support your journey 🤷‍♀️).

12/11/2025

Conditioning doesn't happen in a vacuum.

It is the result of 360° awareness, knowledge, humility, creativity, consistency, mindfulness, and a collaborative team.

In the pictures, the progress to date of our online student's mare Abby. She and her human Vanessa started their rehab journey with us 1.5 years ago.

Abby started as a rehab case.
Super sensitive feet.
'Don't touch my pole'.
Very protective of her face as well (no bitless bridle).
Trailer = 'I'm going to die'.
I remember Vanessa mentioning in her intake form that 'Everything that could be wrong with a pelvis, is wrong with Abby's pelvis'.

1.5 years later of:
- mindful management and nutrition
- expert hoof care and body work
- Vanessa implementing our play-based rehab & cross-training program relentlessly, showing up every week with videos, questions & new ideas...

Abby is an athletic and superbly muscled mare who feels powerful and capable - her comfort zone expanded ten fold.
She consents to being ridden, regularly engages her topline by her own volition and her gaits are most often like melted butter to ride.
She walks on the trailer solo and stations in it calmly.
She has become more resilient and open-minded than anyone could have ever imagined.
The camaraderie that she and Vanessa now share is simply moving.

I put "before" and "after" in quotes because they are just moments in time on a never-ending spectrum.
Their beautiful journey didn't start in June and it certainly doesn't end this week.

BUT boy, how inspiring it is to take a screen shot of the same context in the same arena, 6 months apart, and witness the undeniable transformation!

So proud of this duo.
They move us to tears.

Now let's get technical:
Spot the differences.
The first 3 things that pop to your eye.

12/08/2025

Mabel sounds like a T-Rex when she snores 😂
(she’s the black mare with the white stripe)

Jokes aside, nap time is SOOOO important for them, and knowing that we’ve co-created a space that feels safe enough for them to deep-sleep in means everything 🥹💘

11/20/2025

‘The Unfiltered Italian’ Horse Edition - Episode 1: ‘Backing Fixes Biting…Right?!?’

🤦‍♀️

Btw we are piloting our online program! 👉Comment ‘rehab’ ⬇️ and we’ll DM you the info link 📥📨

11/11/2025

If you know anyone ballsy who isn’t afraid of trying something new in honor of a happier, calmer, more focused, motivated and crazy-athletic horse, please tell them to DM us and we’ll share the specs 🤗

10/30/2025

There are still available spots!
Link in comments (or scan the QR code ⬇️) and I’ll see you on Monday 🤗

10/30/2025

10/27/2025

The Relaxation Grand Prix: where yawns win medals and losers muck stalls 🧹🤷‍♀️

10/15/2025

Announcing 'The Cross-Training Playground' Clinic for the Sport Horse, to be held at Shining River Ranch on November 7-9!

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We always knew that our curriculum could make horses happier, more relaxed, mobile, agile, balanced, sound and intrinsically motivated in the sport world.

Now, after what we experienced at the North Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Association Festival and thanks to a few open-minded super pioneers, we have proof!

Come join us for a weekend of fun, learning &
➡️ throwing the rule book out ⬅️
to achieve:
✅Relaxed Focus
✅Fun & Intrinsic Motivation
✅Injury-Preventing & Performance Enhancing Fitness

Scan the QR Code for info and sign-up or DM us and we'll send you the link 🙏🏼

09/26/2025

I usually edit /cut long testimonials. Not this one. I want to share Helen Marie Ingersoll 's full story, as she shared it with me during the North Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Association's festival 2 weeks ago.

We always knew in our hearts that the horse-first training principles our horses insisted we learned and shared would be one day helpful to dressage horses and riders.

Now it's actually happening.
And it's so beautiful 🥹

Reminder that Giorgia Ghizzoni will be back in North Carolina in early November for a clinic at Shining River Ranch, and there are still available participant and auditor spots!

DM us soon to get the info/sign-up link.
We expect they'll go fast!