Equine Connection Freelance Training

02/07/2025

Sneak peak into some of the topics we'll delve into in Saturday's Webinar: Intro to Postural Training!

*The purpose and function of the Mammalian Nervous System
*The Tendon Guard Reflex: understanding how our (and our horses') bodies unconsciously and involuntarily take on postural patterns governed by feelings of safety
*Postures associated with 6 nervous system states
*Biomechanical implications of prolonged sympathetic nervous system activity
*The Thoracic Sling- function and dysfunction
*The Hyoid Apparatus- function and dysfunction
*The Equine Stay Apparatus and what happens when it's not working
*Training your eye to read physical, mental, and emotional patterns from a horse's postural presentation

Sound interesting to you? Sign up at the link below. If you participate in the first 4, the last webinar is free (even if you sign up one at a time)-- so this first one isn't one you'll want to miss!

https://forms.gle/F9yMeUVhxd5actrBA

02/04/2025

“Harmoniously bent in forward motion, the horse advances his poll which will be vertical to his mouth. Here we have the makings of a bringing to hand, the result of lateral flexibility in impulsion rather than forcing by the reins.”
-Philippe Karl from Long Reining

While I’m home sick, I’ve been studying and reading. I found this simple passage so profound, and a refreshing way of describing proper poll flexion.

I always teach my students that poll flexion comes last in all that we do to help a horse develop a supple and healthy neck and back. First we teach the mobilization of the jaw. Then lateral flexion of the neck. As we practice these while building strength in the thoracic sling, the horse becomes able to support and lift the base of the neck. This lifting makes it possible (and natural) for the horse to advance the poll as Phillipe describes— so instead of thinking of poll flexion as the nose coming BACK, think of it as the poll coming up and FORWARD over the nose. Because we have engaged the thoracic sling, opened the back, and elevated the base of the neck. So, we become round through correct lengthening.

If you want to know HOW to do all this, sign up for my webinar series!

02/04/2025

I am so grateful for the amazing community I’ve found and grown. I’ve met some of the most generous, empathetic people through my work with horses, and I am blown away by how much they give back.

Last week one of my q***r clients donated half the cost of lessons to another q***r student. Because it’s a hard time for all of us, but especially minorities right now.

I’ve been sick for several days now, and a client just sent me money, saying she gets paid sick days and since I’m self employed and don’t, she wanted to share that with me. I was going to try to pull myself together and work with at least one of her horses today, but she wanted me to get well more than she wanted the training.

What beautiful acts of kindness. ❤️

01/25/2025

You know you’re a posture nerd when you look out the window and see your horse (finally) resting with vertical front legs and you think to yourself, “this is the best birthday gift ever”…. 😉

Thank you Shannon Runke Lmt for showing me a simple way to improve a front leg stretch through a proprioceptive touch so that he can enjoy better rest with the lovely thoracic sling we built up! Yay for functioning stay apparatuses 🎉

01/24/2025

New Blog Post Just Published!

"Sometimes we focus so much on the horse that we forget about ourselves in the training process. We want to see what the horse is doing and how they are moving. We want to help the horse move and feel better. We want to study the horse and know the horse. But if all of our awareness is on the horse, we cannot support them. Part of that awareness needs to be on ourselves. Our own sensations in the body. The thoughts in our heads. The breath in our lungs, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. Our balance and alignment. Our posture and muscular engagement. These are the things which we use to connect with and influence the horse, so we are ineffective guides to them when we exclude ourselves from our focus...."

Read more at the link below

https://www.equineconnectionfreelancetraining.com/blog/energy-feel-and-attachment

(Blog post on the half halt coming soon. I'm hoping more will engage in the discussion first!)

Sometimes we focus so much on the horse that we forget about ourselves in the training process. We want to see what the horse is doing and how they are moving. We want to help the horse move and feel better. We want to study the horse and know the horse. But if all of our awareness is on the horse,

01/23/2025

In case you missed it... RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE

for the 2025 Webinar Series, starting in just over 2 weeks on Saturday, February 8th. So if you're not available at any of the scheduled times, you'll still be able to access the material.

Just sign up at the link below:
https://forms.gle/29kxzAVmgJnSogdq5

01/22/2025

What is a half halt?

I’m working on my blog post about the half halt and would love to hear what you all have learned or heard about the half halt.

I’ve found it’s a something riders are almost constantly coached to do, but have very little understanding of, and I hope my upcoming post will help clear the waters!

I will be using your answers in my blog post. If you want to be named, just let me know. I’m imagining an exposé of all the different definitions and procedures people have been taught, followed by my take on the matter! Thanks for your input 🥰

01/21/2025

I'm so excited to announce the 2025 Clinic Schedule, including clinics both in person and online! Keep an eye out for sign ups as these clinics roll out!

I would love to travel to other farms to offer clinics, so if you or someone you know would like to host me, let's talk!

You can already sign up for the Webinar Series at the link below. If you can't make it live, you can watch the recording any time after!

https://forms.gle/n76WTQQeYR6m6cQC6

01/20/2025

That's a wrap on our Unmounted Rider Biomechanics Clinic with Annemieke Buis and Shannon Runke! What an incredible day. Participants learned how each piece of their body can move to harmonize with and influence the movements of the ridden horse. They all identified their body's movement patterns, restrictions, and asymmetries and found their center through unmounted exercises and bodywork from Shannon.

Sharon, one of participants said the "clinic was a blast. You are so articulate, well researched, and easy to understand. That was a fun group. Shannon is great. The atmosphere was light, fun and soo educational. Makes learning a great enjoyment."

Shannon and I are planning a clinic where we address the biomechanics of both the horse and the rider through in hand work, bodywork, and riding-- combining the concepts we've presented at previous clinics.

Want to attend a future clinic? The 2025 Clinic Schedule will be released soon!

01/16/2025

While winter doesn't always bring the best weather for riding, you can still work on yourself to become a better rider! On this cold and rainy Saturday, join us indoors for our Unmounted Rider Biomechanics Clinic with Annemieke Buis and Shannon Runke! We can still take a couple more participants.

Here's some of what you'll learn:
~How the aids impact your body and your horse-- hands, legs, seat, breath, voice, etc.
~How to find a neutral pelvis and neutral spine
~Where your asymmetries and restrictions are in your own body-- Shannon Runke Lmt will apply hands-on bodywork techniques to bring you back into balance, and we will give you tools to maintain that on your own!
~How to post correctly-- which leads right into how to sit the trot correctly
~French classical flexions-- how the rein action impacts the biomechanics of your horse

Lunch and hot drinks provided! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/cWufEq9rKQZSdHSq6

Photo credit Alexandra Taylor

01/08/2025

The browbands I designed are now available!

I've currently made them in warmblood and standard horse size, but since they are made to order like everything else, we can measure your equine to get the size just right. They are padded and stamped leather with an anatomical shape for your horse's comfort. They're made to fit on the Connection Cavesson.

They can be made in any of the colors available for the other tack. See primary leather and padding leather pictured in the photos!

Browbands are $50

I'm now offering a package deal for a Connection Cavesson, Standard Padded reins, and a Browband all for $325 (not including remote fitting or shipping costs)

Thanks Pine Woods Photography for the photos of the browbands and other custom tack!

01/07/2025

Frequently asked questions about lunging:

1. Why do you lunge off of the horse's nose instead of the bit or halter?

Having your lunge line attach to the center of the horse's nasal bone gives you a direct connection to their spine, which promotes correct axial rotation and lateral bending. When we lunge under the chin, like on a halter, pressure on the lunge line pulls the lower jaw in, counter-rotating the neck, and creating tension in the horse's spine and throwing the shoulders out of balance. Lunging off of the bit isn't respectful to the horse's mouth. If they express themselves on the lunge, they're likely to experience sharp pressure on the tongue. We want to preserve the tongue and train it to lick, chew, and swallow in response to the hand to unlock the myofasical and neurological chains connecting the horse from head to hind leg. There are numerous other rein aids on the bit that can be muddled by lunging off of the bit, and we can accidentally train a horse to be dull in the mouth or evasive and fearful of contact. Lunging off the nose is simple, kind, and logical.

2. Should I lunge my horse to get the energy out before riding?

No. We want to work with our horses with relaxed, yet alert energy. If we are afraid of the horse's energy, we are not ready for that horse. However, a horse having "too much energy" is often a way of describing a horse that is anxious, stressed, confused, or in pain. If a horse is in one of those states, I agree we shouldn't hop right on and ride, but rather take the time to diagnose the issue and better support the horse so that we can work on the ground and under saddle with that relaxed, yet alert energy. Lunging is an important part of a horse's education, so I do often lunge before riding, but never to the point of fatigue or boredom.

3. Aren't all those circles bad for the horse's stifles?

Horses are not made to circle, and certainly not to go on endless redundant circles, as people often do when lunging or schooling. But lunging doesn't have to be just circles. We can do circles, straight lines, serpentines, figure 8s, and any other figure you can think of. This way, we can work on the horse's balance, straightness, and suppleness. We can improve our communication and develop self awareness about our own body position and timing. When a horse needs support in their balance, it's easy to "reel" the horse in to work in hand, and then send them back out to lunge again. So, lunging should support the whole horse in mind and body when done correctly!

Lunging is a fantastic modality to see your horse's entire body move and evaluate self-carriage.

I'm now offering a Connection Lunge Line!
*Features*
~A buckle instead of a snap, for the horse's comfort and clear connection through the line. No clanking hardware.
~Elastic in front of the buckle so the horse is never je**ed on the nose when mistakes happen.
~10 meter length, allowing you to make accurate 20 meter circles when standing in the middle and have a clear sense of geometry when making other figures.
~Cotton webbing line, which is soft in the hand. If your horse spooks or pulls, you won't get burned the way synthetic materials do. Lightweight feel.
~A leather stopper on the end so you never accidentally drop the line when you reach the end.
~Comes in any of the leather colors offered for the Connection Cavesson, Reins, and Cordeo. Webbing comes in black and tan.

Thanks Pine Woods Photography for the photos

01/05/2025

The Connection Cordeo is here!

This is the perfect tool to have a direct connection to the base of your horse's neck and their thoracic sling under saddle. It's an excellent tool for brideless riding, teaching the rider to guide the shoulders, not the head to steer and shape the horse.

I designed the Connection Cordeo with padded leather all the way around with a wider strap for the horse's part, and a handle for the riders with identical padding and leather to my reins.

There is plenty of adjustability on either side so this cordeo will fit anything from your cob to draft. Like all my custom tack, it is made to order, so if you have a very unusually sized equine, we can take measurements to be sure it's just right.

You can also customize color and even add details, such as stamped or carved leather.

Order your Connection Cordeo now for only $100! All you have to do is get in touch with me through Facebook, phone, or email!

Thanks Pine Woods Photography for the lovely photos of it (:

01/02/2025

Sage Knoll Farm is honored to host Elizabeth Tinnen for an introductory mounted archery clinic the last weekend in May!

I'm so lucky to have had Elizabeth as my very first mounted archery teacher. She was such a good instructor that I was already hitting targets at the canter in my first lesson. I felt so safe, empowered, and excited, and I'm thrilled to be able to offer this experience to our community here in Kentucky!

Elizabeth will be bringing a few of her seasoned mounted archery horses for you to learn on, or you can introduce your own horse to the sport!

Elizabeth competes across the United States and at the International Level. In 2023 she represented the US at the IHAA World Championships in Mongolia on Team USA and won the Gauchoux Open 3* International competition in France. She is the current President of Mounted Archery Association of the Americas, the US Representative/BOD member for the International Horseback Archery Alliance (IHAA), IHAA Judges Panel, IHAA Level 4 Judge, and has been Ranked #1 on the United States National Ranking List since October 2022 and has maintained top 20 placing in the IHAA World Ranking since its launch in July 2023. Above all these accomplishments, she is most proud of those she is honored to teach and the horses that have carried her along the way.

Read more about Elizabeth here: https://horsearchery.info/elizabeth-tinnan?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0p8ARMoEL5g5raGwVXyKhCtwxBIWfxSJLVsGfBXb4xrOg3r-GeGKH_cTY_aem_hs2CymeHkLNqweXMWU74-w

Sign up for the clinic here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdju8P363ALJkx7ITU87kJRcoB1IWafE4ar9eGej670wJ2IoQ/viewform