Dorato Performance Horses

12/02/2025

The horse world hates when you tell the truth, so let’s go ahead and say it out loud:

Most stalls aren’t safety. They’re sensory deprivation.
We call it “routine.” We call it “management.”
But really?
It’s fear-based tradition (and a warped sense of convenience) wrapped up in a pretty barn aisle.
I'm not saying you can't keep your horse in a stall. I'm just challenging you to be aware of how it feels for the horse.

Awareness — real awareness — asks you to stop looking at what you’ve been told is “normal” and start noticing what your horse actually experiences.

RRR starts with Seed 1: Awareness because you can’t rebuild partnership if you can’t see the things your horse lives with every day.
And when you finally look at the world through their nervous system instead of your convenience?

Everything changes.
Your relationship. Your riding. Your horse’s entire sense of safety.

If you want a thinking horse…
You have to be a thinking rider first.

12/02/2025

Moonrise over Foxmoor Farm. Whose ears are pictured?

12/02/2025

Do your seat bones "stay"?

Next time you ride, check what happens to your seat bones when you turn.

Do the muscles of one seat bone tense up? Is it the same in both directions?
Does one side lift up?
Does one of your legs get tight, especially in your groin?

These are very common issues that block your ability to turn with good communication and precision. These are wonderfully foundational things that, when addressed, can skyrocket our riding forward. However, often we are asked to do things with our seat bones like "weight your left seatbone" when we have yet to control them correctly on a walk circle.

This rider is using a tool I've been honing to help improve steering cues and I will have more on that later this week. But, I want to point out the crease in his jacket - where does it show the greatest movement - in the thoracic spine. Yet, where are we cued to turn from? Often our belly button. As you practice turning this week, wear a jacket. Place the zipper on your jacket right underneath your sternum and use it as the center of your turn. Then go back to turning from your belly button. Compare and answer the questions above for both turns. Let me know what you feel in the comments below. More on this is to come!

Looking for more information like this? Join our virtual Winter Rider Biomechanics Course. Small changes will revolutionize your riding and give you the fun back. Grab your spot now: https://doratoperformancehorses.com/registration-page

12/01/2025

SOUND UP!

Forgive the poor audio quality, I am still learning all this tech stuff and some days, I don't get it quite right. This is a snippet of a longer video about how to use backups to correctly engage your horse's body. Most backups are dropped through the pectoral muscles, heavy on the forehand, compressed through the neck, and do very little good, and possibly more harm, to our horses. We need to lift the front end into the backup. The awesome thing is, this is one of those exercises you can do with very little space, which makes it an awesome winter exercise.

Interested in learning more simple, short, highly effective exercises? Join me for our last free webinar of 2025 on Tuesday, December 9th at 8 PM EST!

REGISTER HERE: https://doratoperformancehorses.com/website-webinar807089-8748-8538

11/30/2025

THIS IS NO GENERIC COURSE! It is about

🌟 You as an individual
🌟 Developing a unique toolbox
🌟 Empowering your independence
🌟 Growing in positivity
🌟 Finding your "easy"

Join me starting December 15th to begin your journey toward easy communication between brain and body! Riding can be easy, it simply has to be tailored to YOU.

REGISTER HERE: https://doratoperformancehorses.com/registration-page

11/29/2025

DO YOU WISH YOU COULD GO WITH THE FLOW?

During lessons you receive an instruction, you try harder, and somehow things unravel even more. You hear what is being said, you understand what needs to happen, but no matter how much you MAKE it happen nothing improves....sometimes it actually gets worse!

Sound like you?

That used to be me and I don't want anyone else to struggle the way I did! Join me this Winter to discover your joyful, easy, connected self in the saddle! You will delve into the knowledge of rider biomechanics, but more importantly, walk away with how to USE it. We will develop the practice of embodiement, a felt experience that improves your brain-body connection. As we dig into embodied rider biomechanics, your understanding becomes individualized and internalized in a way that lasts for you!

Class starts on December 15th, REGISTER NOW! https://doratoperformancehorses.com/registration-page

Your purchase includes**:

🌟5 virtual classes (with access to replays)
🌟Monthly downloads for practice
🌟Dorato's Everyday Equestrian learning library (Dec. - April)
🌟Office hours for open questions and individualized support

Class #1 – December Monday, December 15th at 8 PM EST
Positivity and Breathing – The Foundation for Building Correct Biomechanics

Class #2 – Monday, January 12th at 8 PM EST
Uncommon Core – Alternatives to “Bellybutton to Spine”

Class #3 – Monday, February 9th at 8 PM EST
Spine Versus “Central Line” – How DO We “Sit Tall”?

Class #4 – Monday, March 9th at 8 PM EST
The Foot Foundation – Sometimes It Doesn’t Start in the Pelvis

Class #5 – Monday, April 13th at 8 PM EST
Work Smarter, Not Harder – Putting It All Together for Riding With EASE!

**E2 Members get $55 off this course!

11/26/2025

Join Teresa Pilegaard, Train Your Seat Coach, for our Winter Embodied Rider Biomechanics Series!

Register here:
https://doratoperformancehorses.com/registration-page

Your purchase includes**:

🌟5 virtual classes (with access to replays)
🌟Monthly downloads for practice
🌟Dorato's Everyday Equestrian learning library (Dec. - April)
🌟Office hours for open questions

Class #1 – December Monday, December 15th at 8 PM EST
Positivity and Breathing – The Foundation for Building Correct Biomechanics

Class #2 – Monday, January 12th at 8 PM EST
Uncommon Core – Alternatives to “Bellybutton to Spine”

Class #3 – Monday, February 9th at 8 PM EST
Spine Versus “Central Line” – How DO We “Sit Tall”?

Class #4 – Monday, March 9th at 8 PM EST
The Foot Foundation – Sometimes It Doesn’t Start in the Pelvis

Class #5 – Monday, April 13th at 8 PM EST
Work Smarter, Not Harder – Putting It All Together for Riding With EASE!

What is DIFFERENT about this course?

All the knowledge in the world won't help you unless you know how to USE it. Embodiement is about your individual brain-body connection - what is going on inside you is often a mystery, but it doesn't have to be! We will build your "internal GPS" so that you can easily activate the muscles you want to use and apply the concepts to your individual needs.

**E2 Members get $55 off this course!

11/26/2025

What matters most to you?

How others see you?
How your horse sees you?
How you see yourself?

Do they all matter? Absolutely! But some matter more than others.

It matters how others see you because this is a service industry...but not everyone's opinion matters. If you disagree with someone on welfare and safety for horse and human, let their opinion go. If they are stuck in a fixed mindset, let their opinion go. If they care more about optics than the work, let their opinion go. If what they have to say is not right for you right now, let their opinion go. It doesn't matter how "powerful" the person is, if their philosophy and yours don't align, their opinion might not matter. We can reflect and learn something from everyone and self-reflection is critical, but we need to find the boundaries that keep our mindset healthy. Growth is an endless journey and we have to know who is worthy of pushing us to grow. Do not allow opinions to unsettle your peace.

The last two questions will help with the boundaries for the first:

1. Study your horse. What do they tell you in times of struggle - will they turn to you for help or want away? Know their eyes, they will tell you everything. Building that trust is a journey. Search for the times your horse is saying "no" - how can that become a partnered "yes"?
2. What is YOUR philosophy? Not that of the people around you, the coaches you've had, the people you admire, social media, the industry itself....have you studied and reflected enough to have your own philosophy? Have you applied, reflected, adapted, and reapplied so you have a deep understanding of the why behind your philosophy? What do you believe in behavior science, physical conditioning, equine welfare, etc.? You can only assess well if this is clear. Your philosophy does not need to be rigid, new "whys" may come along that challenge and change our view, and that is OK. But you need a foundation to stand on or the opinions of others WILL wreck your peace.

If you don't have that foundation, you need to study under someone who can help you develop. There is no substitute for experience and your horse's feedback. 💕

11/25/2025

Thank you to Equus Enlightened for having me on the Thinking Horse and Rider podcast! I love Anna's focus on growing partnerships based in confidence and understanding and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation! If you are looking for a peek into coach philosophy to help horse and rider get back to freedom and fun this is a great listen!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4NtychXBXs6CVzudvmwrYp?si=sMv4_cVLShaUjdZU8cfeAQ&t=0&pi=6lIoQH9ESfOnv

The Thinking Horse and Rider: Unlocking Magnetic Equestrian Partnerships with Anna Fox · Episode

11/23/2025

Halting off the seat is a foundational skill.

This is the first time horse and rider worked together and Mr. Chappy here is a bigger mover so the rider needs more control. They nailed this. 💕

11/21/2025

You can overdo it.

Ever had a lesson where you heard 5,672 different corrections and suggestions? How did you feel exiting the ring? Excited? Or overwhelmed?

This is not a cheap sport and when we make an investment in our education we want get our money's worth. But, is getting tons of feedback just causing overwhelm over quality?

Our brain retains information and creates "faster access" to recall through myelination. The more we do something, the more related neurons fire and the more myelin gets wrapped to retain the info. If your instruction is bouncing all over the place can you have the focus you need to retain? No!

This is something as coaches that we all have to learn - narrow the focus for progress - and as riders we have to accept - leave your lesson with one or two strong concepts to continue exploring at home.

We had a lighthearted moment in lessons yesterday where I gave this student something to hold, something to sit on, something under her arm, and then instruction and told her to go do. After a minute I asked her if she was able to do all those things and she looked at me like I was crazy. 🤣 I told her I didn't expect her to and that the overwhlem she felt is what our brain feels like when it is focusing on too many things at once. She then picked one thing to focus on, went off singing, and made amazing progress.

Instructors/coaches do you catch yourself trying to teach "too much"? Often it stems from a fear of needing to prove ourselves. We need to find awareness of our own emotions/insecurities, talk less, observe more, and help the rider understand that "slow" progress is actually faster.

11/20/2025

WINTER 2025-26 VIRTUAL EMBODIED RIDER BIOMECHANICS SERIES!

Register: https://doratoperformancehorses.com/registration-page

Do you get frustrated when you hear the same phrases over and over in your lessons and can't seem to get past it? Do you have questions about your posture that go unanswered? Do you have pain when you ride or feel forced into a position? DO YOU WANT TO RIDE WITH MORE POSITIVITY AND EASE?

Then this is the course for and about YOU!

We've all wondered why certain riders make it look SO easy. You don't need natural talent to become that person, you simply need coaching tailored to you. In this course you will learn the foundations of solid biomechanics and how to apply to you in a more personal, individualized, "embodied" way.

Your $145 purchase includes:

😊 5 classes (with access to replays)

😊 Monthly downloads for continued practice

😊 Dorato's Everyday Equestrian learning library (Dec. - April) (Already a member? You get $55 off the cost of this course!)

😊 Office hours for open questions

All classes are at 8PM EST and meet on Zoom.

Class #1 – December Monday, December 15th

Positivity and Breathing – The Foundation for Building Correct Biomechanics

Class #2 – Monday, January 12th

Uncommon Core – Alternatives to “Bellybutton to Spine”


Class #3 – Monday, February 9th

Spine Versus “Central Line” – How DO We “Sit Tall”?

Class #4 – Monday, March 9th

The Foot Foundation – Sometimes It Doesn’t Start in the Pelvis

Class #5 – Monday, April 13th

Work Smarter, Not Harder – Putting It All Together for Riding With EASE!

This is a GREAT way to stay active and learning during the Winter months and be ready to level up your riding in 2026!

Grab your spot today! https://doratoperformancehorses.com/registration-page