Heart to Heart - Equine

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Heart to Heart - Equine

Helping people and horses connect, communicate and be together in harmony. After years of teaching horse riding to children and adults, my focus has expanded.

Welcome to Heart to Heart - Equine, where I, Tamar, am dedicated to providing a unique approach to horsemanship that goes beyond traditional riding instruction. While I still emphasize a solid foundation, proper balance, and technical skills, I realized there was more to discover and share. I craved more advanced methods, deeper research, and a stronger commitment to helping both horses and humans

. I observed that in many riding schools, there was limited time for students to truly connect with their horses. The focus was primarily on the mechanics of riding, similar to learning how to drive. This approach neglected the most crucial elements of horsemanship, leaving both horses and riders lacking in understanding and trust. In 2003, I completed my international IGEQ Level 1 certificate in Israel, which is acknowledged by the New Zealand equivalent, ESNZ. In 2020, I established Heart to Heart - Equine, originally known as Heart to Heart Riding, with the intention of offering something different. In 2021, my human and equine family relocated to the beautiful Far North of New Zealand. My journey is one of continuous growth and exploration. I am constantly researching and learning from experts around the world, as well as within my local community. Through this ongoing process, I have discovered new ways of training horses that prioritize the spirit of the horse and the human, departing from traditional techniques. My approach emphasizes listening and learning from the horses themselves, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability.. My mission is deeply rooted in my desire to enhance the lives of horses by helping their human counterparts. Throughout the years, I have witnessed countless misunderstandings between humans and horses, including my own mistakes. These misunderstandings have significant consequences, affecting the well-being of horses, compromising the safety of people, and hindering the progress both parties can achieve together. I am fueled by a passionate drive to eliminate these mistakes as much as possible by providing support and guidance to horse owners, current and future, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of their horses and achieve better results. At Heart to Heart - Equine, we offer a range of services, including workshops, private and semi-private lessons, online coaching, online course. I invite you to join me on this transformative journey of horsemanship, where we prioritize the heart-to-heart connection with horses above all else. Together, let's unlock the true potential of our partnership with these incredible animals.

29/10/2025

Foal update - an interesting development.

Diamond was trying to take brumby away from Margo. It's really interesting because I was wondering if Margo chose this motherly role, or did Brumby just choose it for her. But when diamond was trying to take Brumby away from her, Margo got really angry and she kicked Diamond a few times. Not that he seemed too worried about it, the tough little guy, but it did make him stop - eventually.

It was a bit scary when Brumby almost got in the way of the kicking. But I'm not too worried now because I know that neither of them wanted to hurt her. It's more like they had a fight over her. Seeing Margo protecting the foal like that was also heart warming. Brumby is not just one of the herd, she has a new mum!

An hour after it happened, I went to check on them again and I saw Brumby standing close to Diamond this time. This morning I fed all the horses and while they were eating, I gave the foal her bottle. Diaomond is the first one to finish his food and he knows the others won't let him steal theirs - unless Margo feels generous and then she lets him have turns from hers - so then he came to Brumby and tried to move her away. I shoed him out of there quickly.

I'd say he is aserting his dominance over her, but I do also feel there are other emotions involved. Is this what jealousy in horses looks like? Diamond and Margo are beasties, and now this little baby is attached to her. It seemed to be about separating the foal from Margo. Or is it more from his stallion instinct (he is a gelding but he does show a lot of stallion behaviours), of wanting to take the filly to himself?

I'd keep an eye on him. If needed, I will take him with one other horse to a separate paddock. I wanted to keep things as they are for a bit, before making more changes for the foal, but the option is there, if I feel this is not safe. If this was a colt I'd be more worried about Diamond's behaviour, but I really don't think he would hurt a filly and he is not showing aggression towards her, just trying to herd her.

What do you think about all that?

28/10/2025

Foal update

I can say that Brumby has integrated into the herd. Do you see her there under Margo? She seems to feel safe enough with all of them, but Margo is the one she stays close to the most. I don't know if Margo chose that motherly role, but she is not against it. She now has a little follower 🥰

This is Brumby's second week with us, and the first one with all the horses and without her first babysitter, the mini pony. So for now I'm leaving the herd together. But eventually it will be time to take two of them to my neighbour's paddock, because this is part of our grazing routines. The four of them are used to these changes, but it will be interesting to see how Brumby takes it. But don't worry, I won't take Margo away from her.

26/10/2025

At Horse-Mad Kids Club yesterday, the biggest challenge for the kids was to not overwhelm the new foal that's with us. Although I have to say, she didn't mind some attention, and the girls handled her well.

25/10/2025

We decided to keep the name the foal came with - Brumby.

Last night her babysitter pony left. She was here for one week to help Brumby settle, and that was working really well. It was not an easy goodbye for the little foal but the time was right and I did my best to help her. She now has a herd to live with, all accepted her as one of them.

During those settling days, the mini and the foal were protected behind an electric fence. Brumby learned quickly about these fences, it only took one shock. But she also learned that under the reel that's sitting on the permanent fence, the wire goes a bit higher - just high enough for her to fit under. That worked well because it gave her the option to venture out of her area when she chose to, and then quickly get back there if she needed to. And she did need to when Margo chased her. Interestingly, Margo is the one that Brumby now chooses to be close to the most.

It's great to see this little baby starting to feel at ease with her her new herd. Neither them or I can replace her mum, but she has a chance to be a normal and happy horse.

18/10/2025

First morning with the new baby, still safely behind the electric fence.

If I thought that Margo (the grey pony) might take the babysitter role, I was so wrong! In the two years I've had her, I haven't seen her pinning her ears once, until today. She is showing really aggressive behaviour towards the foal (from the other side of the fence) and I gotta say - I'm quite shocked, I didn't know she had it in her.

Diamond is looking indifference so far, but I'm not trusting him just yet, because I know he can get aggressive towards smaller ponies.

I still think that Ferry will be the most motherly one, but the baby is quite scared of her size. The other problem with that is that she wouldn't like being separated from the other horses.

I'm glad we still have the babysitter. We'll see how thins unfold..

18/10/2025

We just adopted an orphan foal. She was rescued from the wild at a few days old after her mum was shot dead. She is now around one month old. Thanks for our amazing friends who looked after her for that first month, she is doing really well. She came with her babysitter pony to help her settle.

I can already see a lifetime of future memories..

15/10/2025

With horses, changing the plan is part of the plan.

Today I took Ms Dolly for a ride along our rural road. My intention was to work on the canter when we reached the part of the road where that’s possible. Well, my plan had to change—and here’s why.

It started when we approached the cowshed along the road. The farmers were separating some calves from their mums, and there was a big commotion. Miss Dolly’s stress level rose higher and higher the closer we got to the shed. I decided to get off and lead her past the worst part, then got back on straight after.

Across from that shed and further up, there’s a horse alone in a paddock. This horse had company until recently, and with all the excitement happening with the cows, the emotions were running high. Miss Dolly and the other horse were calling to each other, and Dolly was reluctant to keep moving—but we got through that one too.

After that, her stress level was pretty high, and my goal for the ride changed from working on the canter to simply helping Dolly relax and feel safe—and, yes (no shame in that), keeping myself safe too.

I started working on walk–trot transitions to keep her mind occupied. But I’ll be honest with you: she didn’t really manage to relax in the trot this time. She only relaxed in the walk. Was this a failure? No—it’s just another step in a long journey. What would have been a failure is trying to stick to the plan despite changing conditions.

It helps to define our long-term goal as well as our daily one. The exposure and challenges we had today still contribute to the big goal I have for Ms Dolly—to be a happy and trustworthy lesson horse.

Remembering the big goal helps us make decisions about our daily goals—and then change them when needed.

12/10/2025

BOMB PROOF HORSE?

Did you buy a “bomb-proof” pony, only to find a few months later that you’re facing all sorts of challenges?

Here’s the thing — calling a horse bomb-proof is just as unhelpful as calling them bad. Both are labels that miss the real story.

A horse’s behaviour comes down to a few key things:
👉 Their personality
👉 Their training
👉 And their ongoing training

Personality is their nature — who they are at the core, before any human interaction. Of course, just like with people, it’s hard to completely separate nature from nurture. But we can all agree every horse (and every human!) is born with their own unique temperament.

Training is anything we teach them — from when they’re a foal to when they’re first started under saddle.

And then there’s ongoing training — because every time you spend time with your horse, you’re teaching them something. Even if you don’t mean to.

If your cues are unclear or inconsistent, your horse is still learning — just not always what you intended. You might have (without realising it):
🐴 Taught them that rearing takes the pressure off
🐴 Taught them to push against the reins to escape pressure
🐴 Made them feel they need to take the lead because you didn’t
🐴 Or made them stay on high alert because they’re sensing fear or tension from you.

And of course, sometimes pain or balance issues play a role too.

But the big takeaway? Every interaction is a training session. Your horse is always learning — so be aware of what you’re teaching, even in the small moments.

I’d love to hear your thoughts — can you relate to this?

09/10/2025

Do you dream of trail riding but it seems so far away?

If fear or your horse’s dangerous behaviour are stopping from you from going on the trail, you are not alone!

Many of us got a horse for the simple pleasure of enjoying a trail ride. We dream of feeling connected to our horse during the ride, of having a sense of peace and freedom.

But for many people this is not the reality. The horse hates going out, they are constantly on high alert and spooky, or simply refuse to leave the barn. You feel nervous and frustrated. Hopefully you’re not thinking of giving up, because there is hope!

I created the 10 Trail Riding Tips for a Timid Rider file to help you achieve your dream.

Use the link below to get it for FREE.
https://mailchi.mp/heart2heart-equine/10-trail-riding-tips-for-a-timid-rider

07/10/2025

Have you heard about the concept or a 'relationship bank'?
How do you deposit into your horse account?
What helps you bond?

02/10/2025

Thanks Natalja Corbett for your testimony.

The online programme is open for new paticipants, this time with greater focus on 1:1 support.

"I did Tamar’s online course and really enjoyed it and gained so much knowledge. I’ve been around horses all my life and have always wanted to grow and deep in my connection with my animals. This course helped me do just this. No question was a silly question. I was really happy and comfortable with the easy communication throughout the course and would highly recommend heart to heart Equine services."

30/09/2025

Only four days left to the clinic. It's not too late to sign up.
Get in touch if you're interested.

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+64226924675

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http://www.heart2heart-equine.com/

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