I stumbled across the amazing Connie Colfox on Horse & Country TV watching her use positive reinforcement to help top eventing riders with ‘problem’ horse behaviours.   She was able to really impress these riders with how quickly she could change these talented horse’s minds about something they were struggling with.    In the words of Connie: “We really want horses to feel comfortable in the world they live in. By giving them a broad grounding with positive reinforcement we build trust...

In this episode, I answer all your bitless riding questions!✨🐴   What bitless bridle do I recommend? How to get started riding bitless? What is the process? How do you know when you’re ready to ride bitless on a trail? And more!   Riding bitless and bridleless is an amazing feeling, and possible for any horse and rider- even if right now you’re riding with a bit and you feel like your horse is strong or heavy.    But riding bitless does require a level of connection, confidence, and...

Often people will contact me for help with their new, young, or green horse.    It’s sometimes not until we have a new horse that we become curious and start to question how we can ‘best’ set up this new relationship.    Problems may arise with a new horse that we might not have had with a previous one, and we wonder how we can best help them.    It’s common to be a little afraid of making mistakes with a new horse, as not to ‘tarnish’ the new relationship.   In this episode, I talk about how...

David Lichman is a 5-Star Master Parelli Professional with a specialty in Liberty Horses. He teaches worldwide, helping students find a better relationship with their horses, and the relaxation and posture fundamental to all riding.   David has performed with his three-horse act, which includes bridle-less riding and riding to music. He is the creator of the DVD set Liberty Outside the Round Pen, enabling students to play at Liberty with exuberance in large open areas. David lives in...

If you’ve ever searched anything horse related on YouTube, you’ve probably come across Callie King, who’s YouTube channel has over 300 videos on riding and training horses, and 124,000 subscribers.   Callie has a holistic science-based approach to riding, considering the health and soundness of the horse, the suitability of saddle and tack, and the individuality of each horse and rider.   Callie strives to create a positive learning environment for students and horses, always looking for ways...

In this episode, I welcome Karen Rohlf back to The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast in exciting anticipation of her upcoming clinics in Australia! 🥳We talk all about the clinic experience, what we can expect, what to do as a rider if you’re nervous, how to best prepare for a clinic, and we touch on the heart of what dressage naturally is all about! 🥰🐴   Enjoy the show!   You can find out more and sign up for the South Australian Karen Rohlf Clinic...

Make a better life for horses... ~𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒂 𝑩𝒐𝒍𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒆𝒌   Belinda rides dressage in a way that makes you stop and go: 'I want what she's got!'   The horses look happy, athletic, and light. She is poised, elegant, and clearly an effective rider with very subtle aids.   It's how dressage is supposed to be!   When I saw videos of Belinda riding (and hearing her chat with Manolo Mendez and Andrew Turnball), I just *had* to interview her on the podcast to hear more and share her...

Have you ever wondered what are the best types of exercises you should do to improve your riding? 🐎💪 Whether you do yoga, pilates, gym, running, dance, or some other form of exercise- it’s not about the ‘discipline’ - it’s about whether the exercises in your program are actually improving the qualities you need to be an effective rider and move in harmony with your horse. 🏋️‍♀️🏇🔝 In episode 56 of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I outline the 4 best types of exercises that all...

Georgia Bruce is an Equine Behaviour Consultant with the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants), level 1 Dressage Judge and qualified Dressage Coach with Equestrian Australia.   She has ridden successfully up to FEI level in open dressage and has represented Australia on 12 occasions including the Trans Tasman Challenge New Zealand, The Dutch Open, twice at the World Para Dressage Championships as well as the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens and the 2008 Paralympic...

In this episode, I go over my 10 trailer-loading tips! Number 7 might surprise you 👀, and number 10 is probably the most important tip so make sure you listen to the end! 🎧 Trailer Loading, Horse Box Loading, Float Loading - wherever you are in the world- helping our horses be calm, relaxed, confident self-loaders is a big struggle for many horse owners! But it doesn’t need to be!👉🏼How would it feel to know you can load your horse on the float, every time, in less than 10 seconds, by...

“It’s never too late to change” 👉🏼 Click here to find out all about Andrea's Pure Liberty course: https://uu202.isrefer.com/go/pureliberty1/adh/   Andrea Wady has been riding since she was a child, competing in showjumping and endurance, and later running a successful horse tours company… but she always felt something was missing and wanted more in the relationship with her horses.   Moving to Costa Rica from the UK, Andrea’s journey took a turn down a path to find a way to connect with...

Anja Beran trains horses with the classical principles of Horsemanship: with her sole aim being to ensure in the course of her life that an increasing number of people become familiar with the art of classical horsemanship. She hopes very much that a great number of riders will be able to experience serious enthusiasm for classical horsemanship in its true and original sense. Anja runs her own farm and equestrian centre called "Gut Rosenhof" in Germany, she teaches numerous clinics and...

One wise person once told me that if you want to be successful with your horse, think about how you can really mess things up... And then just do the opposite! 🙃   In Part 3 (episode 51) of the Horsemanship Fundamentals Series on The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I talk about how you can develop clear communication with your horse so you can have a willing partner!   You will learn: 👉🏼 What good communication between horse and rider looks and feels like 👉🏼 What problems can show up if...

So many riders struggle with helping their horse be confident and relaxed. But it doesn't need to be this way! I have a confidence & relaxation toolkit of techniques that anyone can learn how to use to help their horses be confident partners in a variety of situations. In episode 50, part 2 of the Horsemanship Fundamentals Series, I talk all about the fundamental of CONFIDENCE including: -My definition of a confident horse -What a confident horse looks and feels like for the rider -What...

Connection…. it's such a buzzword in the horsemanship space!    But it’s hard to quantify. It’s subjective. It’s elusive…some may think it’s even a bit ‘woo woo’.    I think it’s kinda like the 'half halt' in dressage- everyone has a slightly different definition of exactly what it is, and people have trouble explaining it! But once you know, you know!    Connection is super important- an absolute fundamental of horsemanship!   So in part one of this 3-part Horsemanship Fundamentals Series, I...

Just teach them how to smile! Only joking…😅   Horses require species-specific things in order to be happy! 😁🐴   In Episode 48 of the Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I discuss all the things around how to have a happy horse, from their most basic species-specific needs to the ‘icing-on-the-cake’ things that can make your horse’s life even better (and therefore improve the way they behave/perform) 🙌🏼   I created a little infographic to go along with the episode (take a look on social...

"Liberty is something that he feels, rather than what he does” ~Nadine Lindblom   Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Ep 47: Equine Veterinary Medicine & Liberty as a Mindset with Nadine Lindblom    Nadine has worked closely with horses for the past 16 years. During this time, she has had the opportunity to learn from several fantastic trainers; however, she says the most profound lessons have been from the horses themselves!  In 2020, Nadine graduated from the University of Queensland...

8 Qualities to Improve Your Riding Ability | Equestrian Rider Biomechanics Series   In this episode, I discuss the 8 physical qualities to improve your riding ability. Rider fitness is not necessarily about how much you can lift, or how far you can run, it’s about developing the specific qualities that riders need in order to be the easiest load to carry for the horse, and the best rider that YOU can be.   And if you want to improve these qualities through exercise (both mounted &...

Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Episode 45   Andy Booth has always been passionate about horses, their education, and abilities. He has dedicated his life to horses and has surrounded himself with the best mentors to support him in acquiring the knowledge and experience he has today. His mission is to change equestrian practices towards more ethical riding for improved performance, safety, and pleasure with our equine partners. In this episode we discuss: Andy’s horsemanship journey The...

Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Episode 41: Your Questions Answered | Equestrian Rider Biomechanics Series   This is the first pod episode for 2023 on The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast and I am kicking it off by answering more of your questions- this time all about rider biomechanics and how to become a more effective rider! (After all, horsemanship & rider biomechanics go hand in hand...if you want to ride your horse in harmony, you've got to put time into improving your riding...

Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Episode 43. Your Questions were Answered!   In this episode, I answer your questions that you have submitted inside the free connection & communication mini-course. I cover topics such as: Best groundwork for a 4yo dressage horse Float loading Life-changing horse stories People who inspire me My methodologies with horses Help your horse be more forward in the arena Deepen your relationship with your horse Girthing issues Common miscommunications between...

Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Episode 41: The Way of The Horse, Believing in Yourself, and Working With The Horse You Have Today with Skye Liikanen   Equitana Australia 2022 The Way of The Horse Winner: Skye Liikanen!   Skye grew up riding horses and was very competitive to National level in Dressage and showing, being a member of the QLD Young Rider Squad and a HOTY winner.  She spent over four years as a trick rider/performer at the Australian Outback Spectacular. Skye had the...

Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Episode 41: Trusting your intuition, finding your purpose, and connecting with yourself and your horse on a deeper level with Matthias Geysen   From a young age Matthias has been interested in unravelling the mysteries of life and sharing these insights with other people. Matt has realized that we are all actually chasing the same dream but that we all have to follow our own path in getting there.    For the past 10 years Matt has been a professional horse...

“It’s an internal softness that you take with you in everything that you do”   Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast Episode 40: Internal softness, Martial Arts, and ‘Horses Aren’t People’ with Mark Rashid   Mark Rashid is an internationally known author and horseman known for his ability to understand the horse’s point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force.    He began working with horses at age ten, when he met the “old man,” who taught him to work with...