✨ Very few things heal like time with a horse. Not because they absorb our stress, frustration, or worries - but because their presence reminds us to slow down, breathe, and come back to something simple and honest. Horses are not here to carry the weight of our bad days. They shouldn’t have to deal with our short temper, tension, or negativity. Some days the most responsible thing we can do is this: take care of their basic needs, give them kindness, and leave the training for another day. 👉 You know what I do when I’m tired or worried about something that is none of my horse’s business? I feed them, check they’re comfortable, say thank you for their presence and I go home. Respecting their peace is part of loving them as well . ❓Question: How do you Get Good at protecting your horse from the weight of your difficult days? Zoë 🐴✨🫶

...there’s an old cowboy story I’ve always loved, hope you like it 😊 ✨ One day an old cowboy was sitting on a fence watching a young horseman struggle with his horse. The horse was pulling, resisting, and the young man was getting more and more frustrated by the minute. After watching for a while, the old cowboy called out to him and said, “Son, would you like to know the secret to getting good with horses?” The young man, proud and determined to figure it out himself, waved him off. “No thanks, I’ve got this.” Well… things didn’t get better. The horse kept giving him trouble, and the young man kept pushing harder. Days passed, and each time the old cowboy saw him he asked again: “Son, you ready to learn the secret yet?” Each time the young man declined. Eventually, after enough trouble with the horse and with his pride feeling just as bruised as his body, the young man finally gave in. He walked over to the old cowboy and said, “Alright… what’s the secret?” The old cowboy slowly made a fist and held it out in front of him. “If you can open my fist,” he said, “you’ll learn the secret.” The young man scratched his head, bewildered but desperate so decided to give it a try. He pulled at the old man’s hand. He pushed. He poked. He dug in with his fingers and even his nails. Nothing. After a just two minutes of trying everything he could think of, his frustration boiled over and he snapped, “I give up!” The old cowboy looked at him calmly and said, “Well son… the answer was simple.” “All you had to do was ask nicely.” 🐴✨🫶

My mums been in hospital since Sunday, the last few days at the yard I haven’t really been present. I’ve done my jobs, groomed him, give him a love hello and goodbye, but my mind has been elsewhere and I’ve been caught up on life outside the yard. Harry has been a bit more pushy today and yesterday, a bit more “where you goin?” When I walk away from him. A bit more nosey (literally), looking over the door for me, almost smothering me in the stable 😂 and I looked at him when I was almost ready to leave tonight and I just thought.. “are you maybe… missing me?” Noticing that I’m not present? Noticing that my mind is elsewhere? Noticing that I’m probably not as grounded and attentive as usual? Maybe, you’re not just being an arse? I felt like he was “looking” for me? And that made me feel so guilty, that that could have been the case. I know people say “horses don’t care if you’ve got the most expensive tack or the prettiest outfit to ride in, they care that you’re present and giving them what they need” and today I really felt that for the first time with Harry, and it was a bitter sweet reminder to check myself. And on the days it’s harder to pull yourself back to reality, remember that their behaviour is often a reflection of your own. 🫶🏼

✨ How I see the difference between riding in Bareback, Bareback Pad, or a Saddle.. ...people often ask how I see the difference between riding bareback, with a bareback pad, or with a saddle. To me, they each have a purpose.👇 Bareback is the purest test of balance. There’s nothing between you and the horse. No structure to help you. Just your seat, your timing, and your ability to move with the horse. When I ride bareback, I make sure my trousers are smooth, no bulky seams or pockets and afterwards I check the horse’s coat. The hair shouldn’t be ruffled or disturbed. If it is, that’s information. It usually means there’s still work to do in my balance, weight distribution, or softness. A bareback pad adds a little protection for the horse while still keeping the feeling very close. It’s a great way to continue testing and improving your balance without putting unnecessary pressure directly on the horse’s back. But again, I look at the horse afterwards. No rubbing from the pad and no hair disturbed from imbalance. If there is, it simply means there’s something for me to improve. Then there’s the saddle. The saddle provides the horse with the most protection, especially for longer rides, and a well-fitted saddle allows both horse and rider to work comfortably for extended periods. Naturally bareback riding improves saddle riding. Personally, I believe every horse owner should ride with a bareback pad at least once a week. Not to train the horse, but to work on themselves to acheive better: Balance. Feel. Body awareness. Fluidity. Timing. Expectations (too high - too low). Like I often say, when we get into the habit of working on ourselves, reflecting, and improving our own qualities, the horse naturally follows. Sometimes even in a single session dedicated to that intention. So my advice? Be brave enough to practice and isolate yourself. Focus on your own skill development as much as possible and you might be surprised how quickly your horse benefits from it too.

Hi all, Regarding this post GET GOOD TIP 14 about teaching relaxation when they’re already relaxed... @Cheg Darlington was bang on it by asking is there more she can be doing. So my first thought was yes and my second thought was this lesson which is exercise 87. of the Groundwork to Liberty Communications Series plus some reminders of the head down help etc. 👉 Is not the best filmed coz my Pivo was having a paddy that day, but the info is there and is as good as new. Would be great to hear what you think and if you get a chance to experiment, let us know in the Community. With 'brachio relaxing' love, your Zoë 🐴✨🫶