Gentle Equine Cornwall

07/07/2025

My name is Kate, and my passion is working with horses using positive and ethical techniques.

07/07/2025

Vulnerability is strength, and other paradoxes.

From an early age, we're conditioned to be part of a world where everything is better, bigger, faster, smarter. Working ourselves to exhaustion in order to prove our worth, the endless need to be seen as productive, the pressure to buy more, achieve more, earn more......our whole identity wrapped up in the belief that who we are and how we are is not enough, that we'll only belong or be accepted if we stick to these unspoken expectations. Rest gets labelled as laziness, illness as being 'less than', vulnerability as weakness, asking for help as self indulgent, and we disappear further into the rabbit hole, on a one way trip to burnout.

I've come to realise that, for a variety of reasons, I don't function well within that system, and the more I try to force myself to fit, the worse I feel. I've been living with several chronic health conditions for a long time, and often have times where the symptoms profoundly affect my physical and mental reserves. All too often, I've pushed myself through because I've been worried about upsetting, disappointing, or angering others, but also because my self worth has been intrinsically linked to achieving and doing. If I stop, rest, admit I'm not coping or ask for help, then I feel as if I've failed.

The daft thing is that fighting exhaustion, overwhelm, pain or anxiety is actually way more stressful and tiring than recognising it and voicing it. We become proficient at wearing our strong, capable masks for the outside world, and it can feel both frightening and strange to be open about how we're feeling.
Today, I realised that I needed an extra day to recharge so that I can get my inner spark back, which has taken a bit of a battering recently. It meant that I needed to ask for the help of trusted friends and family, and I found it really hard to do. That difficulty was not because of them, as they're all fantastic, but because I felt weak and selfish for asking. I suppose that like many things in life, asking for what we need and voicing our worries is something that gets easier with practise.

I've noticed though, that what we look upon as weakness in ourselves is often what we see as strength in others. I greatly value and respect the people around me who tell me honestly how they're doing, who ask for support when they need it, and who feel able to do what feels right for them, regardless of how difficult that is.

In the world of horses, that feels especially resonant. Equines are expected to perform in ways that humans demand, to be the perfect horse that never struggles physically or emotionally with what is being asked of them. When horses reach their point of overwhelm, it can manifest in many different ways, from muted shutdown to explodable bucking, from seeming slightly 'off' to being severely lame, from fear to aggression, and everything in between. All too often, these signs are suppressed, with horses labelled as disobedient, willful, naughty, bolshy, and many other things besides. These are all human constructs, of which the horse has no knowledge. They do not have the ability to preplan, to plot, to be naughty, to have ill intent or malice; they simply respond genuinely to how they are feeling at that time. They have no other way to communicate that they are struggling, yet we fail them by punishing, forcing, and pushing.

Your horse is not less worthy of love or care when they are struggling in any way; if anything, that is the point when they need the greatest understanding, for they are vulnerable. The same is true for you.....compassion soothes the soul in ways that manic striving never will. Go gently with yourselves and each other 💗.

My name is Kate, and my passion is working with horses using positive and ethical techniques.

23/01/2025

Change isn't always easy, even when it's for positive reasons. Doing something different can threaten our sense of safety, our comfort in familiarity. We tend to stick with what we know, even when it no longer serves us. Letting go is a tricky concept for many of us, and I'm no exception.

Recently, I made a change that was needed for both the welfare of my herd and for my own wellbeing and peace of mind. Despite it being my choice, it wasn't easy. Stepping away from places, people, or dreams we've become attached to, can evoke conflicting emotions. Excitement of the new sits with grief at losing the old, and our future plans lie beside all that we've left behind.

It's ok to change, and it's ok if it's not easy. It's ok if no-one else gets it; that doesn't make your choice any less valid. All that matters is that you know why you've taken those steps and that they sit well with you. 💗

25/10/2024

24/10/2024

It's not always about change. Sometimes, it's about getting back to where we started, connecting with the roots of all we hold dear.

Like many of us, my love for all things equine started in childhood. I read obsessively about horse care, pored through pony magazines and stories, and got close to horses whenever I could. I enjoyed riding, but my happiest place was alongside horses. Mucking out, grooming, feeding, tack cleaning, walking them out to the field...anything to be around them.

It's taken a long time and lots of wrong turns to get back to that place, and to trust my intuition about what feels right in how I choose to interact with horses. There's been many lessons along the way, with many more to come, and that's ok. We do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time, and when we know better, we can do better.

I no longer carry a whip, choose to ride bitless with my own horses, keep them out 24/7 as a barefoot herd, and spend most of my training time with them working from the ground, using positive reinforcement techniques. I have no desire to compete ( although I'm not judging anyone who chooses to, it's just not for me anymore as I know it doesn't bring out my best ), and my top priority is to give my little herd the best quality of life that I can, with their needs put before my plans and wants. I get it wrong often, but I will always keep trying to be the best I can be for them. To Delilah, Gwen and Proffi; thank you for bringing me back home ❤️, and thank you to all the other beautiful equine souls who've been part of that process ( Keo, Norah, Norman, Tulie, Chymnee and Annie, my rainbow horses 🌈❤️ ).

16/10/2024

A few days ago, I was with my horses, tired to the bone. I'd spent another morning filling water tubs, skidding around their track picking up poo, taking hay out, topping up nets, treating an abscess, and I had nothing left in my tank.

As I hid in the shelter waiting for the rain to clear, I glanced up the field and saw a vivid rainbow, and our beautiful Proffi was standing underneath it. He was the picture of contentment, not bothered by the rain or the mud, just present in the moment.

That picture has stayed with me. This time of year can feel like Groundhog Day, an endless stream of physically demanding jobs, feed bills, vets bills, repairs. It can be exhausting and worrying, but there's joy to be found too, in the quiet moments alongside our beloved equine friends. Caring for them is a responsibility and a privilege, and I wouldn't have it any other way 🐴💗.

15/03/2024

When winter feels never-ending and the skies are dark, hold onto the knowledge that brighter days are coming.
The last few months have seemed relentless, with persistent rain reducing fields to muddy swamps and continual storms knocking our energy and spirits.
If this is how it is for you right now, you're not alone. Be kind to yourself, knowing that you're doing your best against the odds and that soon, it will get better.
Sending love to all my fellow horse folk out there....you've got this 💗💪💗