ProHorse Training

02/20/2026

Slowing Down Isn't Doing Less—It’s Teaching Smarter

Have you ever felt like you’re repeating the same cue over and over, but it’s just not "clicking" for your horse?

The secret to faster progress might actually be doing less.
Horses don't learn while they are doing; they learn while they are processing. Here is how to hack your training for better results:

1. The Power of the Pause
Equine neuroscience shows that brief pauses help the brain move a new experience into long-term memory. When we stack "questions" too fast, the brain hits sensory overload.

2. The "Dopamine Release" Secret
Watch for the lick and chew. When your horse does this after a task, it’s a physical sign of a dopamine release—the "Aha!" moment.
If you see this: Leave them completely alone. * No petting.
Why? Because once that dopamine hits, a horse’s brain can "replay" the successful pattern up to 20 times internally. If you interrupt them to offer praise or move to the next task, you break that cycle. By letting them sit in peace, you’ve essentially just done 20 repetitions without moving a muscle!

3. Regulation = Retention
A horse in a "fight or flight" state cannot learn. A regulated nervous system—indicated by calm breathing and relaxed posture—is the only state where true progress sticks. Tension is a literal roadblock for the brain.

The Takeaway:
Instead of drilling, try asking once and then waiting. Give your horse the space to think, search, and understand. You’ll be rewarded with a more confident partner and progress that actually lasts.

02/03/2026

A tiny detail that makes a huge difference.

We all know to bend our horses left and right to create softness.
With cookies or without 😉

But what really changes this exercise is what you do right after.

Add softness in the poll.

That small moment is what teaches your horse to softly lean onto the outside shoulder — where true balance and real softness actually come from. Instead of just giving the head and popping right out of the exercise, they start to stay in it, understand it, and relax into it.

Try it.
And then add it in forward motion too — on the ground or under saddle.

You’ll feel the difference almost immediately.
A softer horse is always a more relaxed horse.

Video (c) Joel McDowell
**tstarting

01/27/2026

We don’t train with emotions.

And we still get far.

This is Straight on competition day — a 3-year-old Quarter Horse I competed with in a 60-Day C**t Starting Challenge.

And we got there with No anger. No frustration. No fighting. No “he should know better.”

Here’s the truth most people miss 👇

Horses don’t understand emotions the way we do. Their brain is built for survival, not intention or judgment. They don’t have a developed prefrontal cortex like humans do — the part of the brain responsible for logic, intent, and doing something “on purpose.”

So a horse is never being rude, lazy, or disrespectful.

They literally can’t be.

What we often call bad behaviour is simply a horse trying something new to find release.

That’s it. No drama. No disrespect.

And if you know those facts - which I hope every horse trainer does - how do you get mad at them?

Our job is to explain to the horse — clearly, fairly, and consistently — which answer works. Not saying „he is disrespectful“ or „he is a bad horse.“ that needs to be fought!

Anything is possible in horse training — without anger or fighting them!

**tstarting

01/21/2026

Michigan!!! We are coming to the Michigan Horse Expo to teach you everything we know about Liberty!
So looking forward to seeing y‘all there! 🤗

01/18/2026

This horse has been under saddle for just 30 days.

And yes — this level of connection is intentional.

Starting a horse isn’t about “getting on fast.”

It’s about building understanding, trust, and communication from day one so riding becomes easy for both horse and human and not the main focus.

We documented every single session with this horse inside our Online Academy at prohorse.ca — from the first session in Liberty to riding with connection.

Nothing hidden. Nothing skipped.

If you can follow a process, you can do this too — and we’ll show you how 🤗
Video (c)

**tstarting horsetok foryou

01/13/2026

A horse that can’t trust yet will run first.

Not because they’re “bad,” but because their nervous system is protecting them.

At liberty, we don’t chase connection.

We create safety, space, and clarity… and we wait.

When the horse is ready, they choose to follow.

That’s real partnership.

No force. No pressure. Just understanding.

Let me show you how 🤍

**tstarting

01/12/2026

*************CLINIC ALERT***********

I’m excited to announce another clinic this May 2nd and 3rd with Carola Sossdorf - Prohorse Training.

Carola brings over a decade of experience as a brain-based horse trainer and is a Certified Equine Canada Coach. Her mission is simple: to teach humans how to build relationships that are truly pro-horse.

She specializes in brain-based horsemanship, applying it to liberty training, c**t starting, problem solving, and performance horses. With over 100,000 international followers across social media, Carola is passionate about educating and inspiring the next generation of equine professionals.

When I wanted to deepen my communication with my own horse, I attended one of Carola’s clinics. What stood out was how understanding a horse’s way of thinking created a profound shift in how I interacted with my partner. By grounding her teaching in brain-based science, Carola not only explains the why behind equine behaviour, but also translates it into meaningful, practical interactions you can apply immediately.

Every moment with your horse is a learning opportunity, and much of that learning happens on the ground. This clinic will guaranteed improve your relationship with your horse and provide you with the tools to be the leader you are!

Cost: $475 (includes Saturday night dinner)
Overnight boarding available (indoor/outdoor)

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE - deposit required to secure spot

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our barn to yours! 🎅🏼♥️ Remember my moose Emma? This picture is from 2019 but it‘s still my favourite Christmas picture to this day and I can not not share it 🎄I rescued Emma when she was a calf and raised her for 2 1/2 years! She taught me so much about patience and how much bonding with an animal makes an impact! I hope y‘all have a very merry Christmas and that your horses get an extra carrot or two today 😜

12/22/2025

Can‘t wait to be part of this! Make sure to get your ticket!

⭐️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ⭐️

Needing that perfect Christmas gift for the horse lover in your life?!

Give them a gift of joining us at our Horsewoman’s Conference!

It’s a weekend of learning, collaboration and fun.

Head to our website for all the info and to secure their spot. We can even provide a gift certificate.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween 🎃👻

10/21/2025

What does it take for a horse to trust you this much?

In this video, you see Sturgis, just three years old, lay down and fall asleep with his head in my lap — something that only happens when a horse feels completely safe.

Every day, your horse is asking one simple question: “Am I safe?”

And every moment you spend together is your chance to answer it.

True connection isn’t built through control — it’s built through understanding, consistency, and trust. When your horse believes that you are a safe place, everything changes.

To learn more about how we build this kind of trust through brain- and evidence-based horsemanship, visit our online school at prohorse.ca.

Because when a horse feels safe, they give you everything.

**tstarting

10/08/2025

Teaching your horse to come over to the mounting block in 3 simple steps

This isn’t just a trick — it’s a powerful exercise in communication and trust.
Here’s how we teach it:

1️⃣ Start on the ground. Teach your horse to soften to pressure and move its hind end away. Use a light rhythmic tap and your body language (push) to make it clear.

2️⃣ Switch sides, but still ask for the same response. Now you’re standing on the opposite side, still influencing the same hind leg. Reward every little step toward you — this is where your horse starts to understand the draw.

3️⃣ Once your horse is confident and soft from the ground, move to the mounting block or fence. Ask the same question here — and if they get confused, go back to the ground and explain again before trying from above.

Over time, your raised arm will become the cue, and your horse will start to choose to come over — calmly, willingly, and connected.

At ProHorse Training, we focus on making things clear and fair for the horse — always teaching in a way their brain understands.

Watch the reel for the full breakdown — and if you want more step-by-step exercises like this, join our online academy at prohorse.ca. **tstarting