Friendship Horses

19/07/2025

“The three ponies of Polyvagal Theory:

🖤 Fight-or-Flight Pony – jumpy, twitchy, ready to bolt because someone looked at them funny. Will probably scream if you drop a spoon.
(Yes, this is why you couldn't reply to that text. Or got irrationally angry at the slow WiFi.)

🤍 Safe and Social Pony – this pony is vibing. Makes eye contact. Can handle a chat. Will help you carry your emotional bags AND make you a cuppa.
(This is the version of you that’s brushing your horse, laughing with a mate, and actually responding to emails.)

🤎 Shutdown Pony – she’s DONE. Over it. Can’t even. Has entered energy-saving mode like an old laptop.
(Not lazy. Not rude. Just nervous system: unplugged.)

💡Polyvagal Theory says:
You’re not broken.
You’re not overreacting.
Your body is just trying to protect you — sometimes in ways that feel ridiculous (but make total sense underneath).”



Post credit: Equimotional - Trauma-Informed Training & Resource Hub

10/07/2025

07/07/2025

Silent conversation happening here. Can anyone tell me what’s being said, and how it’s being said? Interested to know your thoughts 😊

03/07/2025

26/06/2025

🧨 "Bombproof" or just shut down? 🐴

We hear people say it all the time:

> “Oh, he’s totally bombproof. You can do anything with him.”

But here’s the question no one wants to ask:
Is he truly calm… or has he just given up trying?

Because there’s a big difference between a horse who feels safe and connected
vs. a horse who’s learned that saying no gets them nowhere.

👀 Learned helplessness looks like:
– No reaction, even in chaos
– Dull eyes, disconnected energy
– Going along with everything, no matter what

It’s not “good behaviour.”
It’s a survival state.

🧠 And yet, these horses are praised. They’re used in interactions.
They’re called safe. Steady. Saintly.

But here at Equimotional, we don’t want horses who’ve shut down to stay safe.

We want horses who feel free to say:
❌ “No, thank you.”
❓ “I don’t get it yet.”
❤️ “I’m okay with this now.”

Because the kind of healing we believe in? It doesn’t come from silence or suppression.

It comes from expression, boundaries, and choice.
From working with our horses, not over them.

So next time you hear “bombproof,” ask:

> 💬 Is this horse calm? Or is this horse coping?

Because compliance isn’t always connection.

Let’s choose connection. Always.

26/06/2025

Apologies to all my clients for the past 3 weeks. Week 1 away for family reasons. Week 2 sick with the flu. Week 3 injury causing limited mobility.
Next week is still an unknown 🤷🏻‍♀️
Horses are being cared for by friends. I miss you all!!