Hatha Equus, 10069 North 65th Street, Longmont, CO (2026)

12/04/2023

Sometimes people see you on the ground on a trail with your horse, and they ask what’s wrong with your horse – like, why are you not riding.

It’s just so common for so many cultures to assume that horses are “made to be ridden”. It’s an assumption made by equestrians and non-equestrians alike.

Which is problematic to say the least. Because you’d expect that at least equestrians would know…

… that horses never even evolved to carry weights, especially on their backs. Their spine is delicate, and weight-bearing is the opposite of what it evolved to do. It actually evolved to get weights off of itself as fast as possible (think of a mountain lions attack)!

This is not to say that riding can’t be presented to some horses as an activity that they can get to really, authentically enjoy. It absolutely can, in many cases!

But that’s very different.

What a wonderful world it would be for horses if we stopped giving riding for granted and realized that it’s a highly athletic weight-lifting activity that, when made possible by their health, we need to guide them towards understanding and enjoying, physically, mentally and emotionally, slowly, with no expectations and with their agency and consent.

That is the world we’re working towards.

Photo by Paige Paradis.

11/20/2023

Helping humans help horses to find physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance through soulful and connected partnership.

11/13/2023

You’ve been madly in love with a horsemanship framework for a while…and you’re starting to have that uncomfortable feeling that this might actually not be the end of line for you and your horse.

You.
Are.
Not.
Alone.

And also…hang in there. It’s not as bad as it seems.

I could not be more grateful to have learned and practiced all the horsemanship frameworks that I have, each at a super deep level.

I still use elements of each and every one every single day, and each adds to my ability to support the horses I train in their journey towards fulfillment.

Also, though, horse have requested of me that I go beyond.

Horses, like humans, are dynamic systems.

“This is how you do it” approaches are helpful at the start, but they are not the full picture to explain complex and ever-changing beings.

Technique is super important, and science even more…but in the here and now, with each unique horse presenting unique challenges, there comes a time to ALSO learn active listening and listen to the horse. And to our intuition.

Horsemanship is an art and no art has ever followed the rules of a one manual. It’s more like, manuals have been written in the attempt to explain the most meaningful art.

Photo:

11/10/2023

Over the years one of my worries about the perception of Hatha Equus is that when we advertise that we work with consent and R+ that we were branding ourselves as trainers who ONLY use one modality of training to work with horses. Yes we utilize R+ as powerful tool for certain aspects of training, however, we have recognized its limitations, especially in the hands of imperfect implementation…and even WITH perfect skills/timing/reinforcers etc…

My truth, as trainer (who considers her program heartfelt and humane), is that it is difficult, and limiting to commit to only one system of working with horses. Every horse is uniquely different and has different needs at different times of their journey to being whole.

11/08/2023

Over the years one of my worries about the perception of Hatha Equus is that when we advertise that we work with consent and R+ that we were branding ourselves as trainers who ONLY use one modality of training to work with horses. Yes we utilize R+ as powerful tool for certain aspects of training, however, we have recognized its limitations, especially in the hands of imperfect implementation…and even WITH perfect skills/timing/reinforcers etc…

The truth, as trainer (who considers her program heartfelt and humane), is that it is difficult, and limiting to commit to only one system of working with horses. Every horse is uniquely different and has different needs at different times of their journey to being whole.

It is equally challenging as a public figure to share information about one modality of training without being pigeon holed into one category. There are fundamentalists in R+ camps and R- camps that criticize your work or approach, and this can be scary and challenging to navigate.

I am so incredibly grateful that Lockie has shared this post because he has tirelessly researched and articulated some of the experiences we have had with R+ that I haven’t been able to put into words…because I couldn’t explain yet through science why a system with such idealistic goals wasn’t working in certain circumstances.

When we can break outside of one training system, look more deeply at, and listen to what a horse truly needs, without judgement on ourselves and others, then we are free. Only from this place can we shift the paradigm of the horse industry AND allow ourselves to have greater joy and safety with our horses.

Thank you Lockie for shedding light on what I haven’t figured out how to articulate 😍🙌🏻🙏🏻🦄

11/06/2023

It’s not a utopia, it’s absolutely possible.

And no, you don’t have to be “special” to get there.

And no, you don’t have to give up your favorite equestrian activities.

Which other limiting beliefs show up in your head, trying their best to convince you that this is not for you?

Write it in the comments or send us a DM ⬇️📨

P.S. just a reminder that we don’t need to actively do anything to deserve love. We just do. But sometimes that’s how we need to feel. To work hard to be kind to someone and give them room to be the best possible version of themselves, and to watch the light in their eyes when they step into their power as a result 🥹

11/06/2023

Curious: do (or did!) you ever feel like your horse can't stand you? Like, they mind their own business and get away from you at every opportunity?

(or do you know anyone who does?)

07/25/2023

We are beyond excited to welcome international horse trainer and equine performer, Will Rogers, to Wildsong Ranch in August!

From young horses to Grand Prix, come and learn his techniques to make your dreams with your horse come true.

Info and tickets: Link in BIO ⬇️⬇️⬇️

07/18/2023

We are only 10 days away from hosting the AMAZING Kaleigh Marie from Braveheart Beasts! There are 4 participant spots remaining! Will you be one of the lucky 4??? 😍🦄🙌🏻🍀

Participant Tickets:
https://hathaequus.as.me/?appointmentType=46515930

Auditor Tickets:
https://hathaequus.as.me/?appointmentType=46517440

07/14/2023

It's a paradox, but if you learn this, you will take a bi, fast step forward towards the your dream relationship with your horse. ➡️➡️➡️

🍑Your horse has the most beautiful beautiful butt…BUT YOU'RE SO TIRED OF STARING AT IT!!!

🐿️You're doing everything right, and everyone tells you that your horse should love playing at liberty with you...but despite all the money spent on lessons and clinics, as soon as halter and lead rope are off, she runs off to mind her own business.

It's a frustrating situation, especially for someone like you who moves heaven and earth to make their horse happy. You want the pleasure of interaction to be mutual.

🔆If you relate, we want you to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your horse CAN come to authentically appreciate the relationship with you, not just out of conditioning by reverse psychology.

🪜Here’s a very important step you might want to consider towards your dream: stop mortifying yourself and your horse by measuring your partnership against a definition of perfection that is not yours.

❓Who said that you have to enjoy the discipline practiced at your stable? Who said that happiness depends on the number of medals you win? Who said that horses are for riding?

I know, bold questions. But why not? What if you…
1️⃣ tried to question everything you think you know about "How to be happy with your horse"?

2️⃣ Officially gave yourself permission to silence all those voices in your head that tell you: "This is the path to follow!" "I everyone does it this way, it must be right!”

3️⃣ Gave yourself permission to reflect on authentic questions like: "What makes me feel good?" "And my horse?" "Is he only good at doing this thing, or does he actually enjoy it?”

✅ Slowly, you will see that continuous frustration of not being perfect - where "perfect" means "Perfectly matching someone else’s (unattainable) definition of “correct”, “exceptional”- fading away.

✅ Slowly, your very own definition of happiness with each other will emerge. You will experience it every day, and it will evolve over time. You will be two individuals AND one entity at the same time. Coherent. Aware. Proudly...
..perfect 🦄