Connection First Horsemanship

10/02/2024

Relaxation is paramount, no matter the sport. Every horse we develop is supported to relax, and it creates stronger and more resilient partnerships. Relaxation in training builds empowered and willing athletes who will jump the moon for you, and stay motivated in the face of challenge. Valuing relaxation is a gift we can give to these incredible prey animals, who are somehow willing to allow us (a predator species) on their backs and into their hearts ❤️

08/27/2024

Train in lightness, train out tension 🥰🤩

08/26/2024

This little one can’t be bothered! Talk about mental-emotional balance, willingness, and connection! Astro is on board for anything. He loves to learn and be with people. He’s just happy to be a part of the play! A horse who is onboard, relaxed, curious…. and connected above all else (!!!) has unlimited potential as a learner 😍❤️

08/22/2024

Aspen the super horse!! 🤩🤩🤩 he is the best boy and we loooove him ❤️

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08/19/2024

🌟 Accepting Two Horses for Training at Connection First Horsemanship! 🌟

Are you ready to take your horse's training to the next level? Starting September 3rd, we will have two rare openings available on our ranch for personalized horsemanship education and top-tier, individualized care.

At Connection First Horsemanship, we treat your horse like one of our own. Throughout training, your horse will receive individualized education. Horses are developed in our arena, on trails, and throughout our facilities forests and meadows to create a well rounded set of skills. Horses are supported with necessary body work and therapies, and psychology-based training which yields deep understanding rather than quick fixes.

Whether you're looking to:
- Develop performance skills
- Build confidence
- Explore liberty work
- Start a young horse under saddle
- Address lingering issues and frustrations

We’ve got you covered. Our training is fully customized to meet your horse's unique needs.

📞 Contact us today to secure one of these last slots—they won't last long!

Located in Mount Vernon, WA.

08/17/2024

Feeding in the clouds this morning 🩵🐴🌤️

08/15/2024

Building confidence for trail riding before hitting the trail is a perfect recipe for success!

07/03/2024

Lessons on guemes island this morning!

Elia is teaching lightness to Emme, who is a young warmblood in the early stages of her riding career. There is no need to ever create space for her to learn hard/pushing/pulling, but to keep that out of the conversation takes intention and willingness to flex and flow in conversation. My ideas (as the rider and trainer) are important!! But so are her ideas… as the student and partner!

First, connection, relaxation, and responsiveness were built as imperative elements of her foundation. Now the relationship is full of trust and open conversation. Pretty good for a 5 year old after only a few rides together!!

Horses are so smart - they know the answer! The question is: are we willing to actually listen and stay in the conversation? Emme is a testament to the power of conversation. When she feels welcome and heard, she listens and responds so effortfully! 🐎🌿🌱🌾

07/01/2024

I couldn’t be happier with Denali’s start under saddle!! 🤩

Denali is a 17.1 hand, 4 year old, Oldenburg warmblood, who found me as a yearling. Our play over the first years of her life has focused heavily on building connection, relaxation, responsiveness, and confidence: aka, a common language!! I worked to build a language and connection that would prevail when questions got bigger or harder.

While I waited until she was 4 to fully start her (protecting her growing body and joints!), I sat on her here and there, let her take a few steps, and did a lot with the saddle. This preparation was crucial; by the time it was time to get on and ride, there was never any bucking or worry or displaced behaviors - just readiness. It felt like Denali was thinking: “come on already! When are we going to ride!?” Denali has never been an easy, do whatever I have in my head, toddle around kinda girl. She has fire and spark and opinions, and she’s not afraid to tell me all about them. I always listen, and I think it has created mass loads of safety and comfort in our partnership.

I can’t express how important it is to prepare our young horses. To me, this is a commitment to teach from the shallow end before diving in the deep end. “Colt starts” don’t have to look like bucking, or stress, or confusion. My gift to Denali was time, and her gift to me is all her calm and focused ambition and prepared readiness.

Less than 20 rides in Denali walks, trots, canters, and ponies Astro with focus and confidence. She never bucks or fights or bolts, because she doesn’t have to in order to ask a question or communicate a limit or wall. I am so happy for her and can’t wait to see how she continues to develop ❤️

06/27/2024

Our horses are educated to be kid proof, but we also teach kids to be confident leaders so that our horses find joy in protecting them ☺️ safety and confident partnerships come from a commitment to connection! It’s more than just a behavioral responsibility 🤩

06/25/2024

We have the best people in our Starbird community! ❤️⭐️

06/25/2024

Tadaaaaa!! Horses approve 😎😎

06/24/2024

Blissssss ⭐️☘️