Simple Connection

Simple Connection The focus being softness and clarity, the horse always comes first. Encompassing the whole horse.

Keeping things simple, while helping you to connect with your horse. Heather Burke grew up riding and working with horses and began teaching and training in her early teens. She had the great privilege of working with Mark Rashid for the first time in 1998 and that experience started a lifetime journey towards softness in life and with horses. Heather has done many different disciplines including

rodeo events, dressage, western, huntseat, trail, ect, and has been an Assistant Instructor to Mark Rashid since 2004. She really enjoys starting young horses, but also finds great joy in helping troubled horses, as well as helping people build a clear, soft and comfortable relationship with their horse. Heather offers training and lessons at home in Wisconsin and also does some traveling for lessons and clinics.

I am SUPER excited to be able offer a clinic with my friend and fellow instructor, Dev! May 1-2-3, 2026. Message me for ...
12/09/2025

I am SUPER excited to be able offer a clinic with my friend and fellow instructor, Dev! May 1-2-3, 2026. Message me for pricing, details and with any questions! Im expecting this to fill quick, so dont wait!

Human time, is not horse time.Humans have an agenda, horses do not.Humans have an ego, horses do not. Humans make plans,...
11/06/2025

Human time, is not horse time.

Humans have an agenda, horses do not.

Humans have an ego, horses do not.

Humans make plans, horses do not.

Horses live in the now...humans, do not.

This little mustang is a little hard to catch. He's scared. Really scared. Scared of the unknown. Scared of human contact. His whole body tenses and braces when you reach for him. Is it just him? Is it memories of things being unpleasant? I don't know. And guess what? It doesn't matter! All that matters to him, is right now. Could I catch him with some added pressure? Absolutely. But what would he remember? The pressure and fear that CAUGHT him? Would he remember feeling safe when I entered the pen, or would he remember feeling scared and pushed?

Learning happens at the point of feeling pressure, but beyond that and into fear, now its submission, not learning.

Today, we worked on my approaching him, haltering, touching, taking the halter off and walking away...relief...this series of photos is where we ended the day.

I think he's going to be alright 💜

But don't ask me how long it will take...because I truly have no idea...horses don't do human time.

10/20/2025

Its a little early, I know...🤷‍♀️ but make sure you have the sound on 🥰 Zavian learning about sleigh bells!

10/12/2025

There have been many requests, so here is Melman in action...self carriage and building a canter transition are his goals. Left lead is hard for him, so this was a big deal...💜

No lunging today Anne Clary....🤣...fancy boy even worked on some simple lead changes!💜
10/09/2025

No lunging today Anne Clary....🤣...fancy boy even worked on some simple lead changes!💜

Here in Wisconsin, we have officially entered the week long season known as lunge EVERYTHING first! Ifykyk...😱🤣😱🤣💜
10/08/2025

Here in Wisconsin, we have officially entered the week long season known as lunge EVERYTHING first! Ifykyk...😱🤣😱🤣💜

I am wanting to bring my friend Devereaux in for a clinic in spring of 2026! Just putting out some feelers to see what k...
09/29/2025

I am wanting to bring my friend Devereaux in for a clinic in spring of 2026! Just putting out some feelers to see what kind of interest there might be! Are you interested??? 😊 Hosting in Mequon, WI.

09/22/2025

Mustang shenanigans...these two are so fun already 🥰

09/11/2025

This LOVELY 6yr old mare is getting a little help from my assistant trainer to help prepare her for the potential of a new job title, that may include riders with short legs 😉 Denni Lou has been an absolute joy to start and bring along! Enjoy my commentary...🤣

08/26/2025

Not sure what's better than a good mare 💜

Just a little mustang, in a gigantic arena 🥰
08/22/2025

Just a little mustang, in a gigantic arena 🥰

08/02/2025

We could all learn a thing or two from our youth...this is my daughter, on my mare. I've had my mare since birth, and I've done all her training. This horse understands how to "feel" the inside of humans REALLY well. Lydia has ridden her several times, but never loped. She loped her going the other direction before I took this video...so once. That time, I asked Harmony for the lope from the ground and Lydia was more a passenger. Then the second time, she wanted to see if she could get her into it herself. So these were my words when I explained the "cue" for the lope: "Imagine what the lope feels like in your body, exale and think about putting your outside leg on, all at the same time." The video speaks for itself! Harmony didn't quite believe her on the first request, but you can see her change when Lydia does... They nailed it the second request, and the third time all Lydia did was breathe into the lope. 😍 It worked because as a kid, she didnt over think it...she just did exactly as I said because she BELIEVED it was possible, and the horse responded simply from the inside changes of a 9yr old kiddo 💜

(Video quality disclaimer: have you ever recorded while holding a lunge line connect to a horse your child is on? 🤣)

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Mequon, WI

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