The EquiCan Academy

15/02/2026

Why Buying a Horse Is Not Like Buying a Car
You’re not purchasing a machine. You’re choosing a living partner with emotions, history, and physical limitations. Compatibility matters more than colour, breed, or price tag. This is why knowing who you are is vital before looking to choose the right match.

14/02/2026

Some days with horses — especially in showjumping — it’s just not your day.
And that’s okay.

The important thing is not to blame the horse. At the end of the day it’s a partnership. If one of you isn’t feeling 100%, if nerves creep in, or if the training hasn’t been as consistent as you’d like, it will show up in the arena. Horses are incredibly honest mirrors.

Today reminded me of a few powerful lessons:

• Refusals usually aren’t attitude — they’re communication gaps.
• Looking down at fences often means confidence has dipped.
• Canter quality before fence one matters more than fence height.
• Consistency in training beats intensity every time.
• A single round does not define you or your partnership.

Instead of getting frustrated, I’m choosing reflection. What will I do differently next time?

Look up and beyond the fence.
Keep my leg on with intention, not hope.
Create a forward, balanced canter before even entering the ring.
Keep the warm-up consistent and the energy alive.
Give my horse time to read each jump.

A bad day isn’t failure — it’s feedback. The arena simply reveals what preparation has built. Progress comes from learning, not perfection.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the psychology behind confidence, reflective learning, and practical riding strategies, I’ve written a full article on the EquiCan blog here: https://www.theequicanacademy.com/blog/

Tell me about a time you’ve had an “off day” and what you learned from it. Sometimes the best breakthroughs come right after the rounds we wish we could redo.

13/02/2026

“Is this your last chance to find your dream horse?”

A lady contacted me last night and said something that really stayed with me.
She’s 55, and after several difficult experiences buying and caring for horses in the past, she wondered if this was her last chance to get it right.

She’d been through mismatches.
She’d dealt with lameness and long rehabilitation journeys.
And emotionally, it had taken its toll.

When buying a horse goes wrong, it isn’t just financial.
It can drain confidence, steal joy, and turn what should be exciting into something overwhelming.

But here’s the question — is it really her last chance?

In reality, it depends far less on age and far more on clarity, support, and knowledge.
I work with riders well into their 70s and 80s who are still riding, competing, hacking, and absolutely loving their horses. For them, riding brings purpose, strength, stability, and motivation to stay active and healthy.

What this lady was truly asking wasn’t “Is it too late?”
She was asking, “Can someone help me make the right decision this time?”

Finding the right horse is not luck.
It’s not guesswork.
And it certainly isn’t easy without guidance.

Our mission is to change that experience, to replace overwhelm with confidence and mismatches with partnerships that actually work for both rider and horse.

If this resonates with you, give us a wave below.
You’re not alone, and it’s never about your last chance; it’s about making the next one the right one.

11/02/2026

The Hidden Cost of “Guessing” With Horses
Most people don’t fail because they don’t care. They fail because they rely on fragments of advice instead of structured knowledge. Horses deserve clarity, not confusion. The right information at the right time prevents heartache for both human and horse.
if you would like to learn how to get this right every time - PM us or send us a wave below!

07/02/2026

Watching other riders push themselves out of their comfort zone lately has been a real reminder for me.

Not because any of us enjoy the awkwardness of starting something new, or the frustration of not being instantly good at it. Quite the opposite. It’s uncomfortable, it’s humbling, and sometimes it’s downright hard. But that’s exactly the point. Progress doesn’t come from doing what feels easy. It comes from disciplined, consistent action — especially on the days you’d rather not.

Every skill I’ve ever improved in, whether in riding, business, or life, has come from choosing growth over comfort. Turning up. Trying again. Letting yourself be a beginner. That’s where confidence is actually built — not from perfection, but from repetition.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “I wish I had the right horse or pony to even start that journey,” you’re not alone. The partnership you choose matters more than most people realise. The right match gives you confidence, safety, and the space to grow. The wrong one can hold you back for years.

If you don’t yet have your perfect equine partner and want to know how to find one — that’s exactly what we specialise in. We show riders how to make smart, informed decisions so the partnership works from day one.

Growth starts with one uncomfortable step. Sometimes that step is simply asking for the right guidance.
PM or wave below if you would like help finding your next perfect horsey partner.

04/02/2026

I’m probably putting my neck out on this one…

But some of the most common phrases we use around horses may actually be holding us back.

“He’s just lazy.”
“She’s cold-backed.”
“Give a stronger half halt.”

We hear them every day — in arenas, vet yards, warm-ups, and lessons — yet many of these terms don’t truly describe a behaviour, a diagnosis, or even a clear training cue. They soften real issues, blur responsibility, and sometimes hide discomfort or confusion behind language that sounds knowledgeable but says very little.

If a horse is in pain — say pain.
If the stride needs rebalancing — say rebalance.
If there’s swelling — describe the swelling.

Words shape actions. Actions shape outcomes.
And horses live with the consequences of the language we choose.

I’ve written a blog on why some of our most “normal” horse terms may be doing more harm than good — and why it might be time to retire them altogether.

If we change the words, we change the clarity.
And clarity changes everything.

Read the full piece here: https://theequicanacademy.co.uk/equican-blog

03/02/2026

“You’ll grow into each other.”
One of the most common — and costly — myths in horse buying.

Growth doesn’t start from mismatch.
It starts from compatibility.

If the first rides feel like survival rather than enjoyment, it’s not “building character” — it’s often a sign the foundation isn’t right. You can polish skills and build confidence, but you can’t easily change core temperament or erase fear once it settles in.

I’ve written a short blog on why this phrase can quietly lead riders into frustration, lost confidence, and expensive mistakes — and what to look for instead.

You don’t grow into compatibility. You grow from compatibility.

Read it here:
https://blogging.godaddy.com/blog/cd0f67f2-7817-46ea-aa60-474ed882c906/posts/f8a979ff-c559-4f6f-8666-c2a443dfda7d

03/02/2026

A quiet thank you to the great coaches out there.

The ones who see more than the fence.
The ones who notice the rider’s breathing before they notice the stride.
The ones who know when to push… and when to soften.

In showjumping, it’s easy to think coaching is about heights, distances, and exercises.
But the best coaches know it’s really about the person in front of them — their confidence, their nerves, their learning style, their partnership with their horse.

You recognise that two riders with the same mistake don’t need the same answer.
You understand that sometimes the most powerful instruction is just
“Breathe.”
“Look up.”
“I’ve got you.”

You balance psychology with biomechanics, patience with progress, and honesty with encouragement.
You’re not just training riders — you’re shaping partnerships, confidence, and resilience that reach far beyond the arena.

So here’s to the coaches who truly see their riders.
Who listen more than they speak.
Who time their words as carefully as a stride to a fence.

You make more difference than you’ll ever know.

01/02/2026

Winter mud driving you mad?
Ever wondered whether you should hose your horse’s legs or just let the mud dry and brush it off?

I’ve put together a clear guide explaining:
• Why wet skin is the real risk factor
• When washing is helpful (and when it isn’t)
• The hidden hazards of both options
• Simple daily checks that prevent mud fever

If your fields are turning into swamps right now, this will save you a lot of guesswork — and potentially a vet bill.

Read the full blog here:
https://theequicanacademy.co.uk/f/mud-on-horse’s-legs-hose-it-off-or-let-it-dry

Every winter in the UK we end up asking the same question: should I hose the mud off my horse’s legs, or let it dry and brush it away later? When the fields are waterlogged and gateways look like bogs, it can feel like y...

27/01/2026

It’s so nice to get lovely emails from happy members. This makes our hearts sing 🎵

“ I’m 45. I’ve got a family, a job, and very little spare time. Horses are the one thing I’ve always kept for myself — the place I go to breathe.

When I started looking for my next horse, I genuinely thought I was being sensible. I wasn’t chasing big dreams. I just wanted something kind. Something I could enjoy. Something that wouldn’t make me feel anxious every time I tacked up.

What I didn’t expect was how unsettled the whole process would make me.

Every horse looked fine on paper. Most of them were “safe.” Most of them were “straightforward.” But I kept getting home and feeling uneasy, and I couldn’t explain why. I started telling myself I was overthinking. That maybe I’d lost confidence with age. That maybe this was just how it felt now.

The truth is, I didn’t trust myself anymore.

I was juggling school runs and work calls between viewings. I felt pressure to decide quickly because I didn’t have endless weekends to keep looking. And every time I hesitated, I felt foolish — like I should know better by now.

What helped wasn’t someone telling me what to buy. It was finally being given permission to slow down and pay attention.

I began to notice things I’d always brushed past before. How a horse coped when the routine changed. How it reacted when it got tired. How I felt in my body when I rode — not excited or impressed, just… safe or not.

For the first time, I stopped trying to talk myself into something.

When I eventually found my horse, there was no dramatic moment. No rush. No nerves. I just felt settled. I drove home without that knot in my stomach, and that’s when I knew.

Owning him now fits into my life instead of fighting it. I enjoy riding again. I don’t feel like I’m constantly managing a problem or bracing for the next issue. And I don’t feel silly for wanting things to feel easy at this stage of my life.

Looking back, I realise I wasn’t being picky or difficult.

I was just tired of getting it wrong.”

CONGRATULATIONS Steph - you made the decision to learn more and you got the outcome that you needed. Fantastic job! So proud of you both. Can’t wait to follow your journey.



If you would like more information on How Steph achieved her perfect horse match then join us next week and find out -

Free training to learn the 5-step system to buy or lease your first horse or pony without stress, costly mistakes, or guesswork. Get clarity, confidence, and a perfect match today!

25/01/2026

Why So Many “Perfect” Horse Purchases Go Wrong Within 6 Months

There is a familiar story we hear over and over again.

The horse looked perfect.
The trial went well.
Everyone said it was a “great match”.

And yet, within six months, something starts to unravel.

Confidence drops.
Rides become inconsistent.
Little issues become big ones.
Enjoyment quietly disappears.

This doesn’t happen because riders are careless or inexperienced.
It happens because most horse purchases are driven by emotion and surface information, not suitability.

The common myth - “If it goes well on the trial, it will definitely work out.”

Trials are snapshots. They show you a horse on its best behaviour, in a familiar environment, often with preparation you never see.

They rarely show:
• how the horse copes with routine change
• how it responds to inconsistent riding
• how it fits into your lifestyle, not the seller’s

The real issue?

Most people buy based on:
• how the horse feels that day
• how much they want it to work
• reassurance from others

Very few buyers pause to assess whether the horse actually supports their confidence, body, time, and long-term goals.

That mismatch doesn’t explode immediately.
It erodes things slowly.

By the time riders realise something is wrong, they feel emotionally and financially trapped.

A more experienced perspective

The most successful long-term partnerships rarely start with fireworks.
They start with calm, clarity, and suitability.

This is exactly why buying well is not about instinct — it’s about process.

👉 If you want to understand how to break the buying journey into clear, calm steps and avoid these mistakes, this is exactly what we cover inside the Horse Buying Success Blueprint.
Join us here for our free upcoming masterclass.

https://go.theequicanacademy.co.uk/masterclass