The Horse Listener

07/03/2025

Let’s open a new conversation with the horse.
(See links under comments for more info)

20/02/2025

I know my posts haven't been showing up on many feeds in the last few months due to something fishy with the Facebook algorithm, but if you were going to share ONE post of mine - this one is it.. because we have all seen horses in pain where the rider or owner may be unaware.

I know we have all seen it or experienced it: the swish of a tail under saddle.. the horse fussing with their head while being ridden.. a pinned ear, a little bit more "white of the eye" than we usually see.. a horse opening their mouth when working.. Those behaviors that make for a "less than fun" ride, and can be frustrating for the horse and rider.

So often, trainers, riders, and competitors chalk things like this up to "behavioral" issues - a training issue or attitude problem with the horse. But what if something else is going on - what if the horse is actually conveying that they are in pain? How would we know if the issue was discomfort or training?

Dr. Sue Dyson, vet researcher and developer of the "Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram," spoke with me on this week's podcast episode about what the pain ethogram is, how to use it for horses in our care, how to distinguish a potential discomfort/lameness versus a "behavioral" problem, and what we can do about it as equine professionals and riders.

You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app under "The Humble Hoof," or directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2025/02/14/pain-indicators-in-the-ridden-horse/

Thank you to our amazing sponsors:

Cavallo Hoof Boots is offering 15% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

A special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Also be sure to check out HayBoss Feeders – haybossfeeders.com – for all your slow-feeding needs. I get my Hay Boss feeders from Mountain Lane Farm in NH!

13/02/2025

I will be instructing a Masterson Method Light to the Core clinic in Green Valley Ontario on July 5-6.

Spend the weekend learning 30+ subtle, gentle techniques to help your horse relieve tension. Lots of hands-on practice as well.

Everything a horse does means something. What is your horse trying to tell you? Where does your horse have tension?

Once you learn how to "see" it and how to help your horse release that tension, you have found a way to improve communication and relationship with your horse.

Registration is open.....

Are you interested in profoundly affecting the deepest interconnections of the horse’s body? Would you like to delve deeper into the light-touch techniques taught in Jim Masterson’s Light to the Core video? In this new course, you will learn subtle, gentle, simple bodywork that has the ability t...

20/01/2025

20/12/2024

As I contemplated my personal Christmas wish/blessing for my Facebook family, this video popped (may be AI supplemented but that’s okay) up and it reminded me to have gratitude for this amazing energetic world we call our home - Earth - our true mother.
We walk the Medicine Wheel 365 days and call it a time/calendar year but it’s the experiences within that thing we call time that matter. We experience growth and humility, gains and losses, love and some degree of its opposite and inside all those experiences is our individual soul medicine.
Everyone, everywhere is experiencing everything to some degree or another.
If that doesn’t fill your soul with an overwhelming sense of wonder for our collective human experience, perhaps this video will do that.
As we step into the final weeks of our 2024 walk around the Medicine Wheel, I hope you reflect with gratitude every experience and emotion because that is the creative beauty that is you. You are the artist. Life is your medium.
I wish us all peace, harmony, laughter, love and deep wonderment and gratitude. Shine bright my human family and let waves of that bright light ripple into creating a safe space for all sentient beings on Mother Earth. Whatever crosses your path as you walk The Wheel, create beauty, heal the wounds as best you can - for all - seven generations out are counting on you.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1670535730211540/?s=single_unit&__cft__[0]=AZUuS9_JV19kCQykm08C-fYPFJPIqk7ZP9H0yNZ2NqcT4KlJOkkbC1Tl4G9fiRzRoBgP41_pIVEEWd4__P_WV5YGGOEDKWzJSlTo5kRh0rjNWuHKGgr41nGhZSMV5hxvzwM8CrA2O-W5HyGtmS6ExrsPhqWKTzJYPzsObDQUZXBIcJSfeIrbH09XOiegb9M1jhM&__tn__=H-R

Send a message to learn more

10/12/2024

I LOVE teaching this course to horse owners. Let’s create something at your barn!

10/12/2024

"10th December, celebrates the sentience of non-human animals and promotes their fair treatment worldwide - in law, society, agriculture, industry and the wild. We invite you to take a moment to reflect upon what one thing you can do in your country or hometown to help one or more animals. Even the smallest act of kindness is felt and appreciated by the recipient of your awareness and care."

~ Anna Breytenbach, Animal Spirit

🙏💞🎄


(Artist : Jody Bergsma http://www.bergsma.com/)

From Wadi Farm HerdLife posted 10th December 2021 💚🙏🐴

10/12/2024

"Hope is often misunderstood. People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: 'I hope something will happen but I'm not going to do anything about it.' This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement." – Dr. Jane 💚

In these times, when hope is needed more than ever, ask yourself: How are you taking action and staying engaged? Together, let's keep doing that work – and let's continue to be hopeful.

📸: KATHERINE HOLLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

09/12/2024

Eight women braved the cold and snow on Saturday to discover the Masterson Method https://www.mastersonmethod.com/ at Granite Stables in Puslinch Ontario. These 3-hour Demo's are a great opportunity during winter months to discover how "less is more" and grow your relationship with your horse. PM me if you're interested in organizing one at your barn this winter.
Here a couple of comments from Saturday's attendees...

About Content of Demo:-
"Amazing to see how the method actually works!"
"Incredible. Life Changing."
"Awesome feeling."
"Great! Inspiring!"
"The hands-on portion was so helpful and interesting to begin applying what we learned. Everything was well laid out and clearly explained by Kathy."

About Presenter:-
"Kathy has a beautiful, calm communicative style."
"Kathy was great, relaxed and supportive."
"Kathy is an exquisite role model. An earth angel!"
"Kathy is very knowledgeable and made things very clear to understand. Very calm."

PM me and let's plan your experience.....

06/12/2024

2025 will be another great year for the horse/human connection.

As the year 2024 draws to a close I am incredibly grateful to the barn owners who opened their space and shared Masterson Method Light to the Core 2-day clinics in Ontario Canada. https://mastersonmethod.com/light-to-the-core-course-2/

https://sierracres.ca/ in Rockwood Ontario
Hooves N Hands Equine in Newtonville Ontario
https://www.willawayfarm.com/ Mississippi Mills Ontario (Ottawa area)
https://www.facebook.com/hillsideacresltd/ in Erin Ontario

I am preparing for more clinics all around Ontario. Imagine creating a safe space for the horse - to touch, to listen, to help relieve years of tension and to discover a new level of communication and relationship.

If you are a barn owner and this resonates with you please reach out to me. My schedule is flexible at this point and my passion for this work is huge.

Once students "see it" - it changes everything.

Be part of that change.

For the horse.

04/12/2024

As the year 2024 draws to a close I am incredibly grateful to the barn owners who opened their space and shared Masterson Method Light to the Core 2-day clinics in Ontario Canada. https://mastersonmethod.com/light-to-the-core-course-2/

https://sierracres.ca/ in Rockwood Ontario
Hooves N Hands Equine in Newtonville Ontario
https://www.willawayfarm.com/ Mississippi Mills Ontario (Ottawa area)
https://www.facebook.com/hillsideacresltd/ in Erin Ontario

I am preparing for more clinics all around Ontario. Imagine creating a safe space for the horse - to touch, to listen, to help relieve years of tension and to discover a new level of communication and relationship.

If you are a barn owner and this resonates with you please reach out to me. My schedule is flexible at this point and my passion for this work is huge.

Once students "see it" - it changes everything.

Be part of that change.

For the horse.

13/11/2024

Just because the pros do it or use it doesn’t make it right.

You will see a lot of things professionals do and think “hey it works for them” and may want to try it. Make sure you do your research on the biomechanics of horses (or bit mechanics) before you try new things. Many “trends” you see can be detrimental to your horses.

My general rule for bits if it promises something like “lift, shoulder control, gets them to use their hind end” etc. don’t use it. Bits can’t do that. Ask your friendly neighborhood bit fitter what they think if you’re having trouble researching. I am ALWAYS available if you send me a photo.

For lunging aids or equipment for riding here’s my other rule. If it restricts the head or neck in any way, don’t use it. You’ll be creating compensation patterns and not correct movement.

29/10/2024

A beautiful visual of energy flowing (or not) with horse and human as one moving entity.

08/10/2024

I’m part of a small “Intention Group”. We are repeating this prayer/intention throughout the day. Please join in if you feel called to.

“It is our intention that the spirit of the forces in the wind and water in the storm named Milton now gentle in strength by 3 “categories” as it moves toward land. “

23/09/2024

A lengthy but important article by Dr Deb Bennett on equine skeletal maturity. Really good info here for all horse owners.

Latest newsletter by Mary D. Midkiff

21/09/2024

One spot is available for the October Light to the Core clinic in Erin Ontario. If you were on the fence about taking this course, here are some comments from past attendees....

"A great opportunity to deepen connection with horses and spend time with them in an authentic way....for the sake of the horse."

"Brilliant course to hone your horse reading skills and provide your horse and other horses with tension releases techniques that really enhance relationships."

"Really enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with horses this way. Very helpful to deepen connection and sense of what horses have to say."

"Given the subtle nature of this work, it was essential to see the techniques in person."

"When you see the horses relaxing you know the method works."

"At this course I felt I was with my tribe. To see the horses releasing within such a light touch and at times from 2-5 ft away was magical. I love Kathy's authentic, positive teaching style."