Jenee Edwards Equine Coach

26/10/2026

🐴 What the Fall Taught Us

Following on from my three-month update with Nova, I wanted to share a little more about what our recent setback highlighted.

One thing I've noticed with Nova since she arrived is that she's much more sensitive on her right side.

While we've made significant progress with her confidence and handling, there have still been moments where she'll jump or tense when touched on that side, even during something as simple as brushing.

Interestingly, when I had my fall, it was to the right.

I can't know exactly what Nova was thinking in that moment, but I do wonder whether her existing sensitivity contributed to the reaction. I suspect if I'd lost my balance to the left, things may have played out quite differently.

What I hadn't fully appreciated at the time was that the fall had also affected Nova.

I got straight back on and had another short ride, thinking it would be good for both of us to finish on a positive note. However, when I went to dismount, Nova became worried and reacted to me coming off her back.

Interestingly, she showed a similar reaction the next time I dismounted.

It made me realise that while I'd physically recovered from the fall, Nova may still have been processing what had happened. From her perspective, I'd suddenly lost my balance, ended up halfway along her neck and then fallen off her right side. Something she clearly wasn't expecting and potentially didn't understand.

Given the sensitivity I'd already noticed on her right side, I suspect the experience may have reinforced some of the uncertainty she was already carrying.

It's a reminder that an unexpected experience can affect both horse and rider, even when neither is physically injured.

A horse can be progressing well in their training while still carrying tension and uncertainty that only become apparent in particular situations.

Next: Going back to the foundations. ❤️

21/10/2026

🐴 3 Days • 3 Weeks • 3 Months: The 3-Month Mark

Well, we've reached three months with Nova, and what an interesting journey it's been!

If you've followed our journey, you'll know that Nova arrived with quite a bit of tension and uncertainty. Those first few weeks were all about building trust, developing a connection and getting to know the horse in front of me.

And we were making some really lovely progress.

Her balance in the canter on the lunge was improving, she was becoming less reactive, and we were starting to ride more consistently. Nothing major, just short sessions of up to 15 minutes, alongside plenty of groundwork and gymnastic exercises to help build her strength, balance and confidence.

Things were going so well that I'd even booked in for a level assessment and was thinking about entering a local dressage competition.

Then life had other plans!

We all came down with the flu, which meant very little happened with the horses for a couple of weeks. When I finally felt well enough to get back in the saddle, things didn't quite go to plan.

I had a fall.

And not from anything particularly dramatic. Just a simple stop where, for reasons I'm still not entirely sure of, I lost my balance. I suspect Nova became worried when I ended up halfway along her neck, and she ducked out from underneath me.

Thankfully I was okay, although a little shaken and rather surprised!

Surprised at myself for coming off in such a simple situation, but also at Nova's reaction, given how well she'd been progressing.

It did make me stop and reflect.

Had I started expecting a little too much from her?

Not necessarily in the amount of work we were doing, but perhaps in the level of understanding and confidence I thought we'd established.

The 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months theory is a useful reminder that settling into a new home and developing a partnership takes time.

At three days, I was wondering whether I'd made the right decision.

At three weeks, I was beginning to see a real change in her confidence and our connection.

And at three months? I'm learning that there's still much more to understand about this lovely mare.

Sometimes the lessons we didn't plan are the most valuable.

Next: What the fall revealed ❤️

25/09/2026

🐴 Groundwork, asking a different question

I've been focusing on groundwork with both Nova and Crosby over the last couple of days. Crosby has now been given the go ahead to progress with his training after a major growth spurt, so it has been nice to start asking a few more questions of both horses.

One of the things I've been introducing is some basic lateral work, including asking the hindquarters to step towards me.

This can be quite a strange question for a horse at first. Much of our early groundwork teaches a horse to move away from our body, energy or pressure. Now I'm changing the conversation and asking, "Can you bring this part of your body towards me instead?"

I'm using the whip over the horse's back as an extension of my arm to help communicate where I'd like the quarters to move. Initially I'm not looking for lots of steps or a perfect movement. I'm looking for the moment they understand the question, even one correct step, then releasing and allowing them to process.

The videos show two different stages of this.

Crosby is learning the response in an open space, without using a fence or wall to help position him. This means he has to start understanding the actual aid rather than relying on a physical boundary to help create the movement.

Nova is starting to use the same concept for a practical purpose. At the mounting block I can ask her to bring her quarters towards me to better position herself, rather than continually moving her around or repositioning the mounting block.

This is where groundwork starts to become really useful. It's not just about teaching an exercise, it's about developing a language that can transfer into everyday handling and eventually into ridden work.

Both horses are learning greater awareness and control of where they place their bodies, while also learning that our aids can ask different questions depending on the situation.🐎🥰

08/09/2026

31/08/2026

Some really good pointers here. 😁

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GQRZh3665/

27/08/2026

🐴 **3 Days • 3 Weeks • 3 Months: The 3-Week Mark🐎

We're actually at five weeks with Nova now, but looking back at the "three week mark", there had already been a noticeable shift from the horse who first arrived.

The 3-3-3 theory suggests that after a few weeks, a new animal is beginning to understand their environment, learn the routine and feel more comfortable. It's not an exact timeline though, and Nova has certainly reminded me of that.

At three weeks, she still wasn't ready for me to ride her and that was okay.

Those first few weeks became less about getting me back in the saddle and much more about getting to know the horse in front of me.

We spent plenty of time together without everything needing to be a "training session."

I was learning what created tension in her and the now little signs that told me she was becoming unsure. More importantly, I was learning what helped her soften again and she was learning me too.

Around that three week point I started to notice a real mental shift. She was beginning to look to me when something worried her, allowing some of that tension to soften and showing more curiosity and willingness to have a go.

Most importantly, I was starting to feel a genuine connection developing between us.

At around four weeks I had my first sit on her, nothing exciting, just a very short walk around at home. At four and a half weeks we had our first groundwork lesson, and at five weeks I decided to take her along to a clinic with absolutely no expectations other than seeing how she coped with being out and about.

What she gave me completely surprised me.

We found our connection at liberty and, when she felt ready, I ended up getting on with the group and taking her through the obstacle course.

The horse who had arrived carrying so much tension was starting to show me something quite different.

She's still green and there is plenty for us both to learn, but she has this beautiful combination that I can't quite describe any other way:

She feels like a baby horse with an old soul. 🙏❤️

Three weeks wasn't the point where Nova was suddenly "settled". It was the point where I started to feel that something between us had changed.

And the couple of weeks since have given me a glimpse of what might grow from that connection.

Excited to see what 3 months brings. ❤️

24/08/2026

🐴 3 Days • 3 Weeks • 3 Months: The First 3 Days🐎

There's a theory often talked about when introducing a new animal to your home, 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to begin settling into the routine and 3 months to really start feeling at home.🙏

It's not an exact science and every animal is different, but Nova has made me think about just how important it is to give a new horse time before deciding who they are.

Those first few days can tell you a lot, but they don't necessarily show you the whole horse.

Everything is new. New paddocks, horses, people, routines, sounds and expectations. Some horses become reactive, while others become very quiet or shut down while they process it all.

With Nova, I saw a lot of tension and uncertainty. She was particularly wary about being touch, new people and some seemingly small things could produce a much bigger reaction than I expected.

And yes, there were moments when I wondered whether I'd made the right choice.🤔

I'd brought Nova home with the idea to have something to consistently ride and compete. Suddenly, I was looking at another horse who clearly needed time, patience and confidence building.

But I had to remind myself of something important:

I'd only just met her, and she'd only just met me.

Those first three days weren't the time to decide what Nova could or couldn't become. They were the time to observe, listen and give her space to decompress.

The horse you meet on Day 3 isn't the horse you'll have on Day 30. ❤️

Next: What started to change by the three-week mark...🤩

14/08/2026

🐴 **Another step forward for Nova**

It was a busy week for the horses with the hoof trimmer, vet dentist and worm egg counts all on the agenda.

But the biggest thing I've noticed with Nova has been a real mental shift.

We had a lovely liberty session, she's discovered that carrots really aren't that bad after all 😂, and I'm starting to see more curiosity and confidence coming through.

New people are still something she's very wary of, but there's been a change in how she looks to me when she's unsure. I'm beginning to feel that she's trusting me to support her, allowing some of that tension to soften as she realises she doesn't need to react quite so quickly.

With her feet, we made the decision not to push things. The trimmer was able to do her fronts and we left it there. While Nova was later sedated for her dental work, I took the opportunity to carefully trim her hind feet myself. I really appreciated the vet staying with me to make sure it was safe and that Nova remained aware enough to comfortably have her feet lifted.

This wasn't about using sedation to "get the job done". Her hind feet desperately needed attention, and this gave us a way to address them without creating another stressful experience that could undo the confidence we've been building.

Now we can continue working on her hind feet gradually, without the pressure of an overdue trim hanging over us.

Nova also had a great dental report, with nothing of concern found, which is another positive as we get to know her and establish a good baseline for her ongoing care.

And some good news for the whole herd, zero worm egg counts all round!🎉

Nova still has plenty to work through, but I'm really enjoying seeing the little changes. The horse who was so unsure is starting to realise that she can stop, look to me for support and have a go.

That's a pretty important step in building a partnership. ❤️

09/08/2026

Gus found the old farm pram the other day and I discovered that the 2 young horses had never seen one of those things 😳 🤣
Gus enjoyed showing Crosby it wasn't a scary monster, who accepted it wasn't very quickly 🥰

08/08/2026

🐴 The power of bodywork...

One thing I've been noticing with Nova is just how disconnected she seems from parts of her own body. Whether she's ever had bodywork before, I don't know, but I have no doubt it will play an important role in helping her become more comfortable in her own body.

Part of our groundwork has simply been helping her become more aware of herself. Gentle placement of my hand on areas of tension, waiting, and giving her the opportunity to acknowledge and release what she's holding.

I was so pleased to have the wonderful Jo from Animals In Motion – Veterinary Biomechanics come and treat both Nova and Crosby during the week.

As expected, Nova was a little wary of a new person. But Jo has such a calm, gentle approach that it wasn't long before Nova seemed to say, "I'll give this a try."

Jo met Nova exactly where she was on the day. There was no expectation, just patience, understanding and an invitation for Nova to soften and release some of the tension she's been carrying.

Horses carry tension for many different reasons. Helping them become aware of their body and giving them the opportunity to release that tension is an important part of building confidence within themselves.

She is such a kind-hearted mare, and every day she shows me a little more of herself. 🙏 💜