Desensitizing the Horse vs Supporting the Horse

I don't try to desensitize or de-spook a horse. Instead the more the horse is mentally available and engaged in a Conversation with the human, the less overwhelming the world can be.

Addressing the horse's thought before his physical behavior...



Rather than the handler or rider critiquing the horse's unwanted behavior, the person needs to "dig deeper" and address the root cause of it.

Getting fixated on stopping the obvious physical actions may temporarily curb the horse's initial actions, but it will not address the root cause of them.

If the behavior is only contained or criticized, the original unsought movement will evolve into a new undesirable one.

The horse's actions are a reflection of his mental and emotional state. If we prioritize having quality conversations with the horse helping him to learn to think through what we are presenting, he can then offer a soft, reasonable, physical "try" in his response to our requests.

Horse Video-Supporting the horse


Upcoming Alternative Horsemanship Webinars
April 4. 2020   11am PST or 6pm GMT
May 2, 2020  11am PST or 6pm GMT

June 6, 2020  11am PST or 6pm GMT

Horsemanship Webinar with Samantha Harvey

What: Horsemanship webinar with Samantha Harvey
When: Saturday April 4, 2020 @ 11am-noon pst
6pm-7pm GMT
Where: Closed, private Facebook Group
Cost: $20 USD or £16
Discount Available- Email Me for 30% off

What you get:
This will be a one-hour, live, interactive, four-part webinar that will address:

  • Assessing the horse
  • Assessing the human
  • What do defensive thoughts look like physically?
  • Changing Patterns in Humans & Horses
How does it work? You click HERE
to sign up. Complete the form with your payment. You will be sent an invite link to the Facebook group. 24 hours prior to the event you will receive a reminder about the Webinar. Join in on the group about five minutes before the scheduled LIVE event.

Discounts: Have a friend you want to join in with? Use code

FAQs: 
What if I can't join in part or all of the LIVE session? No problem. The webinar
will remain posted in the group for one week following the event. 

What if I want to watch it again? No problem. You can replay it as many times as possible.

Will there be an opportunity to ask questions? Yes, if you are participating during the LIVE event version.

Have questions? Email me
Join: Click HERE

Three Mares in a pasture: Curious Horse Video


This was an unexpected moment I captured in the pasture with a client's three horses. One is a rescue paint mare, another is a filly brought in from the wild, and the last is an endurance Morab mare. Each horse has their own confidence and curiosity levels that they offer in their human interaction.

Supporting the Defensive "Purging" of a Horse

This question was posed by a student of mine and I thought it'd be a great way to start the week.
"During several of your training sessions with my horses, you reported that they were "purging." They were definitely different horses following this event. Could you explain what this is and how to tell when a horse is doing this.....and maybe why." Many horses I encounter have a level of continuous emotional containment. This creates mental stress and a physical tightness in their behavior.

Opportunities: Improving Horsemanship Horse Video

Ready to take a new path? Make proactive choices? Rebuild your confidence? Learn to recognize and understand what your horse needs?
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