Heartfelt Horsemanship

18/10/2025

Silver linings

I haven't traveled out of South Africa, or even KZN, since I was diagnosed with Cirhossis in March. Required lifestyle changes included reducing travel.
It hit me hard.
So much of my identity has been wrapped up in travelling and helping horses and their people.
It was also an enormous sucker punch financially.
Horse trainers ( or interspecies relationship counsellors, as I prefer to be called) barely scrape by on good months, let alone have a ' rainy day fund.
BUT..
Last night I taught in Washington state, USA, Today I will teach in North Carolina USA.
Tomorrow I will recover from the jetlag( 😂😂😂).. But Monday I teach in Germany.
Tuesday it's Scotland..
Wednesday it's Namibia
Thursdays a big day.. UK, then Germany..
Then Friday back to the US..

All without ever leaving KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

I have long said the best part of travel is getting to know people from around the world.. I still get this part, without ever having to run through an airport for a connection flight, or deal with airport security.. And some amazing views too!

Thank you to all you amazing people that have supported this change..
I do still have space for more one on one video coaching clients.. Drop a comment or a PM if you are keen..

08/10/2025

Let me reintroduce myself.

In a number of comments people referred to the author of Heartfelt Horsemanship posts as "she".. So here goes..

My name is Gareth Mare' and I am from South Africa.
I call myself an Animal Behaviorist but it's not all science and behavior, so "interspecies relationship counsellor" may be a better description.
My first fall off a horse, as a kid, sent me down a path of questioning what we accept as normal in the horse world.
It was off a horse I had grown up with. He loved me as much as I loved him and would seek me out as we wandered around the farm.
How could this horse want to hurt me?

I have learned a lot over the decades since, looking outside of an industry that accepts dangerous falls as par for the course.

I studied Animal Sciences, Zoology, Ethology, Wildlife management, Equine Psychology and CPD courses in Psychology and Neurochemistry.
I spent time with wilde herds, and wildlife..

All of this has me believe that the safety statistics of equine sports don't need to be the horror story they currently are.
I believe with the new focus in addressing the species appropriate needs of horses, and being aware of their stress indicators, and establishing calm, fair communication with horses, there are 4 years that will start riding today that might ride well into their 90's without ever falling off a horse.

I can hear the chorus of " horses are just spooky and unpredicatible, falls are part of riding' through my phone as I type.

Based on the information I have gathered over the years, I disagree.
Horses are not intrinsically spooky.
Spooky implies that at rest they arebin constant state of vigilance looking for signs of danger. Watch a herd of horses in group turn out in large paddocks, they aren't jumping at every gust if wind, or rabbits hopping along their way.
That hyper vigilant spookiness is the result of putting horses in human situations they are not prepared for. Most of these situations are designed for human convenience with no consideration for the horse.
As for unpredictability, this is demonstrably and scientifically proven to be false. Horses exhibit clear stress indicators before entering a state of flight or fight. Equestrians have just been taught to ignore those signs and ' put on their big girl pants" since their first ever riding lesson.
If your love of riding is rooted in an adrenaline addiction, I am probably not your cup of tea, but if you are after a safe, happy and relaxed equestrian connection, based on a balancebof science, soul and sensibility... I have a Patreon account and offer one on one video consultation.
I also put out content on here and on YouTube as often as possible,
I do in-person sessions with your horse withing the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa, and welcome guests from around the world to come learn with our horses
Drop a comment, or a PM.. Or email [email protected]

29/09/2025

A couple reasons I no longer imprint foals.

For those who don't know:

Imprinting is the practice of having an animal bond to a human in the first two hours after birth.
The reason is that neuroplasticity, the brains ability to adapt, is highest during that period.

Over the years I practiced various forms of imprint training, slowly moving away from working during that first two hours. Those hours are critical for a foals bond with their mother.
Outside of those first two hours it is no longer imprint training. It is known as latency training. I still hung on to the idea of latency training as early as possible though. My motivation was the clue that I was doing it wrong.
I wanted to do it as early as possible so that the foals were easier to handle.
Or.. If we are being honest, so that I could overpower them.
I have just put up a video on my Pay 🌳On account ( you will have to decipher the hieroglyphics on that one) of a foal halter training at 5 months old. There was never a time to need to overpower the foal through that process.
So that's the ethical side of why I don't imprint, but I know some people still think this " gentle parenting" training is a load of nonsense, so let's give a practical, money-saving reason I don't do it.

It makes them more Injury prone.

Even people who think I am too soft, don't like vet bills, so let's look at how imprint training can increase your vet bills.

I noticed over the years that horses that came to me for training from certain breeders were more prone to injury. Different bloodlines, sometimes even different breeds, so there was no genetic aspect. The one common denominator was that the foals were imprinted at birth.
These were breeders who prided themselves in kind handling.
So how does imprinting affect how prone to injury a horse is?
Those first two hours are a period of super learning. Mom's don't just bond to their foals over that time, they teach them what to yield from, what is safe, and how to interact with the herd.
When humans imprint we do the opposite. The foals are touched all over and taught NOT to move from pressure. They have halters and rope introduced, or anything they might encounter in the human world. I have even heard of people introducing foals to hair clippers at imprinting to make it easier to clip later in life.
All this replaces what they SHOULD have learned from their mothers at birth.
When they grow up, they will be more likely to run into fences, poles or ditches.
They might even lack the basic horse language to know when to move from other horses. This will have them getting kicked and bitten more that other horses.
I would go as far as saying that the Thoroughbreds infamy for vet bills has more to do with imprinting, individual turn-out and other management practices than it does with any breed or genetic factors.

I know people might be wondering about what to do instead.
I will post the link to the (name that can't be said on FB) in the comments so you can see how.
It doesn't involved restraining them, hard tying or crush pens. It's about building communication, relaxation and connection.

17/09/2025

Let's have a guessing game..

Can you guess the weight of the horse, and my weight from this photo?

Yesterdays post had me thinking maybe I am wrong, and that people really can tell just from a photo.

I will tape the horse once we have some guesses.

16/09/2025

Don't look down!!!

Anyone that's been through a conventional riding lessons will have had these words yelled at them. It is definitely one of my equitation flaws.
" you don't have to watch the horses ears, they aren't going to fall off!"

Sound familiar.

What if this is why people think horses are unpredictable?
All those spooks out of nowhere might have had clear indication from the horses eyes and ears.
I am quite okay with putting a few kgs extra onto the horses forehand if it means I can spot a horses state of mind changing. I teach people to pay attention to stress indicators while they ride, but also to notice how individual horses respond to anxiety. Some hold their breath, others breath quicker, some have their muscles ball up under your seat, others string out. If you learn about your horses response to stress in your groundwork you can have predictions that don't require staring at the horses head..
For me though.. Less than perfect equitation position isn't as big a deal as missing the signs that your horse is about to lose their self-regulation, and might need some help co-regulating.

15/09/2025

Body shaming, or Welfare defense?

I am a big fan of the increased awareness of welfare issues for horses.
The more people aware that horses require herd turn-out, kind training and a later start to their riding careers, the better.
Another important welfare issue, is the issue of weight carrying capacity for horses. The 20% rule has recently started being enforced in some disciplines, and I think it is a fantastic development.
There is, however, a concerning trend in the industry. People have taken this as permission to shame bigger riders.
The number of comments I see under posts about the 20% rule from people saying ' if you weigh more that 15% of the horses bodyweight you shouldn't ride" is ghastly.
Here we have peer reviewed science giving us a guideline, and people still feel the need to go further to gatekeeper riding for only the slim.
I will include the study in the comments, so you can see all variables, but let's discuss some findings.
Duration of ride affects weight carrying capacity, as does terrain.
So a short arena ride will have less fatigue and muscle soreness with a heavier rider than an up and down trail ride, or jumping course. That is pretty obvious, so before you start shaming people for meandering around the arena.. read the study.

The horses conditioning also affects weight carrying capacity. This is obvious. Feeding your horse more sugar to get thembto weigh more won't increase their weight carrying capacity a fitter, well muscled horse can carry more than a wobbly paddock ornament. So before you shame a rider whose horse you don't know.. Read the study!

This point is often highlighted by friends from the endurance world. They often point to the fact that this study only included 8 horses, and none were endurance conditioned. It is a fair point, and worth considering.
The overall point, for me, is to use the information from this study to improve horse welfare, not to cherry pick information to reinforce our nasty biases.
You cannot tell the weight of a horse from a photo or video, or the rider for that matter, and height has very little baring on weight carry capacity.
The little mare in the above photo is only 14.3hh, and I am 6 fat tall and, at the time of the photo weighed 90kgs. She is, however built like a tank and easily weighed a fit 500kgs.
I feel outside of the showring we need tobuse this information to make our own choices, not to crusade against those that might be carrying a bit of extra weight.
In the competition arena it is up to judges and stewards to police regulations. If you feel they aren't doing so, report them. Don't make a scene trying to shame another competitor, especially considering you might be wrong!

I feel everyone should get to enjoy the magic of horses, within their physical abilities and within the horses physical capacity. Let's not move the goal posts even further for people who don't fit your idea of what a horse rider should look like.

14/09/2025

"Life's a journey, not a destination", but don't forget to stop and enjoy the view every now and then.
I had a virtual lesson the other day, where the client expressed how happy she was with her horses', and her, progress.
I suggested we slow down a little on our overall goals, and enjoy the place they have arrived at..
They are safe doing what they are currently working on, and both her horse and her are happy in their time together.
She has bigger goals down the line, but it has taken some work to get here.
Here horse has solid obedience training, but was explosive " out of nowhere" as is common with obedience trained horses.
Right now he is relaxed and engaging in the groundwork, and the little riding we have him doing.
For he sake of both the horse and the human, I feel it's important to linger a little in the small victories.
Imagine things from a horses perspective. As soon as they are feeling good about something, the goal posts are moved, and more is expected.
It's like going for a hike and getting to a beautiful view and having someone rush you to keep going.
The best journeys have good company, with many stops to enjoy the view.
Be the good company, and let your horse enjoy the view, back over the mountains you have already climbed together.

09/09/2025

Thank you Kathy McSwain Frick for these kind words!
If you want to book online sessions drop a comment below, or a PM, or email [email protected]
I fully recommend the online lessons that Gareth offers. I sent my horse to a trainer, my horse came home perfect... until... he decided he wouldn't turn left for me... then...he bucked with me on the trail... I decided..no I just will not ride, it is not fun. The trainer was awesome, but my horse didn't respond to me, like he responded with the trainer at the trainer's facility._____I needed to tell you that so you will understand how much video lessons are SO MUCH BETTER! Gareth can look at ME and my horse at home, where I ride. He can see the tension between my horse and me that is causing these problems. Gareth notices everything on that camera... and my horse shows up different each lesson...just like he does for me here by myself. Gareth changes the "lesson plan" according to my horses mind frame and shows me how to handle these situations. No way could I get this at a training barn. My horse was pretty much the same every day there. "Perfect student" But here at home, is the real life things that happen that your "in person trainer" doesn't get to see. If you could have only saw me before my first video lesson...I was being told by my family, "this horse is going to hurt you"... to only after a few video lessons, I am hopping on without any bit riding no enclosed arena... (by the way)..the no bit was not forced on me...I had a choice, but my horse was calm enough I was comfortable with no bit, now, I even do my homework with no bit. I Highly recommend video lessons from Gareth.

08/09/2025

I was hosted by ' The Elevated Equestrian" a while back.
The podcast is now live..

Go check it out!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ZHMtMoahyOELwsRbe2Tpf?si=v972ZqxARDeJwC_CD9t_DA

The Elevated Equestrian · Episode

06/09/2025

Happy World Bitless Horse Day - September 6th 2025. !
If you have been a little overwhelmed by all the photos and videos of stressed horses in various disciplines, go check out the tagged page.

I really appreciate this initiative. It's not my initiative, but run by World Bitless Association .

We still have so many people believing only certain, really well behaved horses can be ridden without bits.
I haven't laid my hands on a set if reins connected to a bit in over a decade, and my job has been working with mostly troubled or young horses. I have yet to see a clients horse that isn't happier without a bit.
My horses aren't ridden bitless because they are relaxed, they are relaxed because the are ridden bitless

That's why this matters to me. If we are genuinely interested in our horses happiness, that has to be seen as valuable feedback.

I am not naive. I understand that building good communication is important no matter what you ride in. If a rider yanks a horse around in a bridle, then changes to a rope halter and still yanks on the halter, there won't be much improvement, but in my experience communication comes easier without a bit involved.
Even if you're not sold on the bitless thing, but like seeing happy, safe horses, in all sorts of activities..
Go follow the World Bitless Horse Day page... And if you ride bitless.. Post some photos and didn't the flood of positive, happy horses!

01/09/2025

I have a deep appreciation for rainy days.
Not just because it makes the grass grow and is crucial for the production of whiskey!
It makes me a better horseman.
Like any rider or horseman it is easy for me to get hung up on the fancy stuff.
I get pretty one track minded about proving a point sometimes.
Like the fact that addressing relaxation and relationship will make a better performance horse. I get so focussed on proving this point that I actually don't address relaxation and relationship nearly enough.
This is where rain comes in. At least for those of us without an indoor arena.
I can't work the fancy stuff in the mud. I can't even push for that first lope, or first jump with a young horse in the mud. Not safely.
I certainly can't stay in bed and wait for it to stop raining. We live in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. If I didn't work in the rain I would only work every third day, if I am lucky, during spring.
So, I get to work on all the things that I often neglect. Spend the time needed to get a horse truly connected to me. Really give them the time to find relaxation and keep it.
There are exercises for relaxation that I do with horses in every session, but the change I get when I am JUST working on those exercises, instead of just doing them between more mechanical tasks is astounding.
Don't complain about not being able to perfect your walk/ canter transitions or increasing your jump heights... Savour the forced focus on the important things.. every time I do, the fancy stuff becomes easier by the time I get around to it!

29/08/2025

How long do I do groundwork?

The first time I heard this question, I thought it was about how many minutes a day I work on groundwork. It turns out it was about how long II keep doing groundwork once I have a solid riding horse.
Dream Hunter, the horse in this photo, is 20 years old. He has multiple national riding championships, takes students on rides to build confidence, will carry any kid safely ...and I still do groundwork with him before I ride.
Most of that groundwork is just checking him out before I get on. He is incredibly reliable, relaxed and sound. In all the time I have had him, I have had one groundwork session that had me decide not to ride. It was the day after a wild hail storm, 3 or 4 years back, and he was not his usual focused, calm self. He was still better than 90% of the horses I deal with, but I didn't know him like that. I had no idea whether he would tip to more reactive during the ride.
For all I know he might have hurt himself in that storm and was just hiding his pain.
So I do groundwork for 11 years to save one bad ride?
Absolutely. That one ride could have ended with me in hospital. That one ride could have shifted a minor injury on him to a catastrophic injury.
Have I ever just got on him with no groundwork?
Yes. In an emergency, all my riding horses can be saddled and mounted straight away. An emergency that is more urgent than the risk of that once in 11 year risk.
I also know that if I just saddled and mounted every time I rode I would lose some of the reliability and relaxation my horses have.
Everyone comments on how lucky I ma to have such amazing riding horses, mindful, communicative groundwork has a lot to do with that luck.
Most times with Dream Hunter has my groundwork take me 5 minutes. If you feel you don't have the time to take an extra 5 minutes to have a conversation with your horse before getting on, that's fine, but I find it saves you a bunch of time fixing problems because you didn't.

For the record: groundwork, for me, isn't LUNGEING a horse to get rid of energy. It is a well thought out communication, checking all isolations and each gait calmly and safely. One day when I am rich, I'm starting an organisation called "the Anti-Lungeing federation" and making myself president! 😂😂😂
If you want to know more about the groundwork I do to orepare horses for riding, and to address relaxation, check out the about section for links to the website.