Heidi Potter Holistic Horsemanship

Heidi Potter Holistic Horsemanship Heidi Potter is an internationally known and respected Trainer, Clinician, Instructor and Author, sharing over 50 years of horse experience. Sally Swift.
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Her teaching and training is strongly influenced by her practice in traditional Eastern Martial Arts. She is a Centered Riding© Clinician, Holistic Horsemanship Trainer, CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) Master Instructor/Certifier, and a Senior Horse Speak® Instructor. Heidi feels blessed to have learned directly from her neighboring friend, mentor and the founder of Centered Riding, Ms. S

ally’s work beautifully and effectively blends Heidi’s experience with Eastern philosophies into her horsemanship practice. The Centered Riding basics of Soft Eyes, Breathing, Centering and Balance, along with Grounding and Awareness, lead to amazing results both, on the ground and in the saddle. Heidi has assisted riders of all levels and disciplines improve comfort, communication, confidence & competence in the saddle. She has experience working with a variety of horses including gaited breeds. Heidi’s Holistic Horsemanship approach to training evolved from her education in Natural Horsemanship and her subsequent search for a calmer, softer, more empathetic approach to creating lasting relationships. She was driven by her desire to improve behaviors, safely create boundaries, earn mutual respect and establish connection, all while focusing on enrichment, for both horses and humans. Students across the globe have benefitted by her teachings and have been successful in building safer, more trusting, respectful and enjoyable partnerships with their equine friends. In March of 2017 she began working with Sharon Wilsie, founder and author of the book, Horse Speak, The Equine-Human Translation Guide and Horses In Translation. Sharon’s step-by-step equine translation program has opened new doors for horse owners, trainers, instructors, rescue horse operations and those in the equine therapy profession. In late 2018 Heidi had became a Senior Horse Speak Instructor/Clinician and joined Sharon and Laura Wilsie to form the Horse Speak Educational and Certification Program. Visit SharonWilsie.com. Heidi and her Cheval Canadian Riley enjoy pleasure riding, trails, liberty play and competing in Western Dressage. Their training in Western Dressage helps them both focus on improving fitness and mindfully working up the dressage training scale. Since they began in late 2016 they have enjoyed rewards:

NAWDA 2016 High Point Trax Live Competition-Open Division-Intro Level

WNEPHA 2017 Reserve Champion-High Point Professional Division-Intro Level

WNEPHA 2018 Reserve Champion Professional Division & High Point-Intro Level

Northeast Western Dressage Champion 2018-Intro Level

Northeast Western Dressage Reserve Champion 2019-Basic Level

WNEPHA 2019 Champion Professional Division & High Point Professional Overall-Basic Level

WMADA 2019 Division Champion-Basic Level

Hello Horse-Loving Friends! To celebrate May's Mental Health Awareness Month, I am supporting the Mindfulness with Horse...
05/21/2026

Hello Horse-Loving Friends! To celebrate May's Mental Health Awareness Month, I am supporting the Mindfulness with Horses programs at 13 Hands Equine Rescue. Their equine-assisted programs create meaningful connections between rescued horses and people seeking healing, growth, and support. Last year, 17 families accessed life-changing programming at the rescue. This year, they are keeping the gate open for even more survivors, veterans, first responders, and families. Will you join me in expanding access to the healing power of horses? Every dollar counts! Just click the link below to donate. Thanks so much for helping to support these programs!
https://horsesformentalhealth.org/.../heidi-potter.../

Thank you Colleen! You are the hostest with the mostest! You give so much to your staff, your horses, the participants, ...
05/20/2026

Thank you Colleen! You are the hostest with the mostest! You give so much to your staff, your horses, the participants, and to your clinician. I love our annual events! I enjoyed every minute of our 3 days together. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

05/20/2026

Indeed! That's the shift many of us are teaching, every clinic, every lesson. Just waiting on the entire equine industry to catch up. Change is happening. www.heidipotter.com

05/19/2026
04/30/2026

LIBERTY TRANSITION ROPES! Take your communication & connection to the next level. Order Yours Today! https://heidipotter.com/shop/
$10-$15 per rope (plus shipping), depending on the length of the lead rope. Choose Your Color & Length. Custom-made for Minis to Drafts.

In 2012, I was training with an Accredited Trainer of the International Horse Agility Club of England, in preparation fo...
04/30/2026

In 2012, I was training with an Accredited Trainer of the International Horse Agility Club of England, in preparation for my certification. The Clinician introduced the use of a neck rope as a transition from halter/lead to liberty. I loved the way that it made us even more aware of inviting our horses to join us as we navigated around the obstacle course. In Agility, as in preparing for Liberty play, it is never about pulling and pressure. It is about inviting with your voice, your intention, your energy, and your body language to communicate. Clarity really steps up when you add in the GPS and Buttons of Horse Speak! https://heidipotter.com/horse-speak/

Fun Fact: In Agility, the handler loses a point off their horsemanship score (equal to 50% of the total score) each time the leadrope gets taut. For competitive folks like me, you become very aware and make better choices when communicating with your horse!

Order Yours Today! https://heidipotter.com/shop/
$10-$15 per rope (plus shipping), depending on the length of the lead rope. Choose Your Color & Length. Custom-made for Minis to Drafts.

Horse Speak, Heidi Potter Holistic Horsemanship & Centered Riding combine for this unique event. Take your relationship,...
02/22/2026

Horse Speak, Heidi Potter Holistic Horsemanship & Centered Riding combine for this unique event. Take your relationship, riding & performance to the next level!
Choose from 1, 2, or 3 days. Rates start at $125. Early Bird Discount till 3/1/26. Day One-Horse Speak @ Dreamwinds EAL-Tryon, NC **Horses Provided** Days Two & Three @ Stout Farm-Columbus, NC **Bring Your Horse** Auditors Welcome
Details & Registration: https://heidipotter.com/.../deepening-the-bond-improving.../

The 20-Second Rule. We use this Rule when teaching Horse Speak, but it applies to everything you do with horses. I use i...
02/21/2026

The 20-Second Rule. We use this Rule when teaching Horse Speak, but it applies to everything you do with horses. I use it as part of my holistic approach to horsemanship for obstacle and liberty play, training or retraining, and under-saddle applications, and have for many, many years. It reminds folks to slow down when making a request. The idea is to ask and wait 20 seconds (minimum) before changing anything. Don't repeat yourself. Don't add more pressure. Don't quit. Just stay, visualize your desire, breathe, ground, center yourself, wait, and count.

Since last summer, Riley has had incredible difficulty lifting his left hind leg (due to a physical issue). Every time you ask, he lifts and holds up his right hind, saying, "I have a better idea. Why don't you clean/trim this one?" I generally breathe out, say, "No thank you," and gently guide that foot away and down from the one I want lifted. Then I repeat my request. This routine can go on for several minutes, sometimes with a bit of success, sometimes not.

Last week, I FINALLY remembered to practice what I preach. I decided to keep my hand in the 'requesting' position and not respond in any other way, for 20 seconds. He is a trained horse, almost 21 years old, and knows exactly what I am asking. Sure enough, at count 19, he took some weight off his left leg for a moment. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was!
We are all a "work in progress," and horses never stop teaching us. I truly believe that most horses will do what you ask if they can. If they don't respond, it is due to fear, pain, past trauma, or they just don't understand the request. The idea of adding more pressure is the same as YELLING your request. You might get a response out of fear, but we know if their nervous system gets triggered, then no real learning is taking place. It also does not convince them that you can be the trusted leader they will willingly follow.

Next time you make any request, and it doesn't happen immediately, try this: Step back, take a breath, and assess the situation. Try to see it from their perspective. Read their facial expression, body language, breathing, and nervous system state. Find your answer. As long as they are in a neutral state, try again and wait... literally count out 20 seconds. Done right, it will seem like a very long time...........and how ridiculous is that? We should be able to give them 20 seconds to process and respond. Humans process quickly, in comparison to a horse. They live in the present. Don't wear watches and don't care how long it takes. It takes as long as it takes. Patience.....it can be hard, but so worth it in the end. You'll both feel better for it. Send me your success stories. I want to hear them! [email protected]

Oh, and by the way. It worked for the farrier today, too! 😊

Enrichment of horses and humans was abundant with this fun, heart-centered, horse-loving group of women who joined me in...
01/29/2026

Enrichment of horses and humans was abundant with this fun, heart-centered, horse-loving group of women who joined me in Costa Rica for our first Horse Speak/Centered Riding Retreat. Thank you, ladies, for sharing in this experience. And a BIG thank you to my host Carrie Anderson and her staff at Playa Ponies for helping provide such a magical, memorable experience for us all.

Address

761 Weatherhead Hollow Road
Guilford, VT
05301

Telephone

+18023803268

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