Horse Ways LLC

21/06/2025

We have a heat wave locally the next 3-4 days. Unfortunately, much of the country will experience it as well. Stay safe!

05/06/2025

The kids at Equine Elevated get to have lots of summer fun with camps so we decided to make some fun for ADULTS! Please share this flyer with anyone you know who may want to try out “horse camp”

Our kids get to have lots of summer fun with camps so we decided to make some fun for ADULTS! Please share this flyer with anyone you know who may want to try out “horse camp”

28/05/2025

Stable ground is needed on both ends to build the bridge.

Building Bridges

There is one thing people don’t talk about when they discuss building a bridge: bridges must start and end on stable ground.

I have recently been writing about my experiences as a teacher and psychologist, focusing on the challenges I faced starting out and the personal qualities I had to foster and develop to elevate my teaching and consulting. Not surprisingly, I concentrated on my own regulation—the ability to manage my energy, anxiety, frustration, thoughts, and behavior.

In the role of teacher, mentor, instructor, or trainer, we are all called to expand our self-awareness and commit to personal growth. This includes growth in our knowledge and skills but, perhaps more importantly, growth in our mental and emotional fitness and our capacity for self-regulation.

Teaching and mentoring are all about building bridges. Before we can impart knowledge, provide support, or challenge our students, there must be an established path of connection and communication. Like all bridges, that path must start and end on solid ground.

As a mentor to many riding instructors and trainers, I find that the most common challenges they face revolve around their students’ emotional regulation. I hear about struggles with their students’ tears and fears, anger and frustration, acting out, and shutting down. When our students are dysregulated, we cannot teach, and they cannot learn.

When this happens, we need to rebuild the bridge, starting with establishing stable ground in ourselves and helping our students find theirs. ~ Paul

P.C- Erin Gilmore Photography

16/05/2025

According to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, a horse in Olmsted County tested positive for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) on May 6, 2025. Recent cases of EHV-1 in Minnesota and across the country serve as a reminder to practice good biosecurity before, during, and after traveling with your horse. Share memories not disease by following these simple steps.

✅ Use your own trailer & gear—disinfect borrowed items.
🐴 Avoid horse-to-horse contact (especially nose-to-nose).
🚫 No shared hoses in water buckets.
🌱 Don’t hand-graze where others recently have.
🙅‍♂️ Don’t let strangers touch your horse.
🧽 Disinfect tack, boots & grooming tools before returning home.
🛁 Shower, change clothes & blow your nose when you get back.
🌡️Quarantine and monitor returning horses for up to 30 days—feed & care for them last.

And always... wash your hands! 🖐️💧

For more info and to see the Board's full press release visit: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3e08d94

14/05/2025

🌿🐴 Check out these must-have resources on common harmful plants to horses.

📚 Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses in the Midwest Book (2020 edition) - $25
🖼️ Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses Poster - $15
🎉 Purchase both for $35 (plus shipping and handling)

For more information, visit 👇
book: z.umn.edu/horsepoisonousplantbook
poster: z.umn.edu/horsepoisonousplantposter

11/05/2025

Oliver says Happy Mother's day!

11/05/2025

Oliver says Happy Mother's Day from Horse Ways.

24/04/2025

A picture offers only a glimpse of a larger story. Emotional regulation is filled with these glimpses, as we observe both our own reactions and those of others around us. Our bodies often hold onto emotions, even when we try to suppress or ignore them. Horses, too, can exhibit similar responses, reflecting their own emotional experiences. By cultivating an awareness of our emotions and maintaining patience, we can foster a space where connection feels natural. This mindfulness carries over to how we physically interact with our horses—for example, holding a light tension in the rope allows the horse to process the moment and choose to join us willingly, rather than by force. This balance of emotional and physical understanding builds mutual trust and respect, laying the foundation for a deeper bond. It starts with a breath.

A special thank you to Equine Elevated for hosting my clinic and to Ryan Carlson for beautifully capturing these moments through his photography.

21/04/2025

Very well said!

When horse trainers talk about your 'energy', are you confused? If so, I'll explain - because it’s more important than you might realise!

Your body speaks louder than you know. And your horse is listening all the time. You might think you’re showing up calm, clear, “in charge” - but your horse hears what your nervous system is ACTUALLY saying.👀

You see, we are always broadcasting information that we are not even conscious of. Through our breath. Our posture. Our muscle tension. Inner thoughts and mindset, hormones. The lot! And the kicker is that horses are biologically hard-wired to read it. They’re prey animals and their survival depends on their ability to detect even the tiniest shift in the environment and atmosphere. So when trainers talk about our 'energy' it really IS important.

So...what DO horses need from us?

✨They need embodied, intentional presence. ✨

That means:

• Being grounded in your body.
• Aware of your breath and emotions.
• Congruent in your internal and external signals.
• Being in a confident, kind, clear and POSITIVE emotional and mental state.

Because horses don’t just respond to what you do - they respond to who you are in that moment. You can’t posture your way into trust, and you can't fake it. You have to cultivate it, truly and wholly, from the inside out.

That’s why real horsemanship starts with SELF-WORK.
Because horses don't react to just your technique. They react to your nervous system. Your emotional congruence. Your clarity. Your authenticity. So ALL of that must be applied to your training methods.

So before every session, ask:

1) What is my body saying right now?
2) What emotional state am I bringing in with me from outside the arena/yard?
3) Am I grounded, present, and open - or tense, distracted, uncertain, or elsewhere?

Because horses don’t speak your language. They speak ENERGETICALLY. And when you learn to master what you radiate, you unlock true partnership.

14/04/2025

This is a great opportunity this summer!

Equine Edge is here!

Looking for a meaningful summer experience for your child or teen?
Join us at Equine Elevated for Equine Edge, a unique equine-assisted learning group for ages 8–16.

🌾 No riding required — just connection, confidence, and powerful life skills, all learned in the barn.

🗓 Fridays | 9–11 AM | $75/day
📍 Hugo, MN
💌 Email [email protected] to register

We’ll explore topics like: ✅ Communication & conflict resolution
✅ Self-regulation & empowerment
✅ Equine behavior & barn management
…and more!

Spots are limited — reserve yours today!

06/04/2025

Riding spots are full. There is still room for spectators, bring a chair and I'll see you out there on Saturday!

Send a message to learn more

31/03/2025

Domestic violence affects many lives, and it's crucial to find together and learn how we can help. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please remember - is never too late to seek help.