Wild Thyme Horsemanship

10/02/2026

Series: What Horses Taught Me About Parenting (and Parenting Taught Me About Horses)

Part 1 – Connection Before Correction

In both parenting and horsemanship, it’s tempting to go straight to fixing the behaviour.

But learning doesn’t happen in a state of disconnection.

Children — like horses — need to feel safe, seen, and supported before they can take anything in. When connection is missing, correction often feels like attack. That’s when we see shutdown, resistance, or escalation.

This doesn’t mean there are no boundaries. It means the relationship comes first.

When connection is strong, guidance lands more softly — and sticks longer.

09/02/2026

Public Service Announcement

When driving the farm quad at night with the headlights on. CLOSE YOUR MOUTH

Learn from my mistake. It isn't pleasant

09/02/2026

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

In this 7 part series I will detail these 7 Habits as discussed in the book written by Stephen R. Covey and relate them back to horses.

Human version:
This habit is about renewal. Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing so you don’t burn out or stagnate.

Effective people keep learning, reflecting, and refining.

Horsemanship version:
In horsemanship, sharpening the saw means continuing to develop your feel, knowledge, and self-awareness — not just drilling your horse harder.

A well-supported human creates a healthier, happier horse.

Growth is part of the responsibility.

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08/02/2026

Habit 6: Synergize

In this 7 part series I will detail these 7 Habits as discussed in the book written by Stephen R. Covey and relate them back to horses.

Human version:
Synergy is about collaboration — valuing different strengths and working together to create something better than either party could alone.

It’s not about control; it’s about connection.

Horsemanship version:
True partnership with a horse is synergistic. The horse brings honesty and sensitivity. The human brings guidance and timing.

When both are allowed to contribute, training becomes smoother, softer, and more effective.

📷 ** yes that's a real rainbow

08/02/2026

07/02/2026

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

In this 7 part series I will detail these 7 Habits as discussed in the book written by Stephen R. Covey and relate them back to horses.

Human version:
Most conflict happens because we’re busy trying to be heard instead of listening. This habit asks us to slow down, listen properly, and understand before explaining our side.

Feeling understood changes how people respond.

Horsemanship version:
Horses communicate through behaviour. Before correcting a response, good horsemanship pauses to ask why.

Confusion, fear, discomfort, and overload all look like “naughty behaviour” if we’re not listening closely.

06/02/2026

Habit 4: Think Win–Win

In this 7 part series I will detail these 7 Habits as discussed in the book written by Stephen R. Covey and relate them back to horses.

Human version:
Win–win thinking moves us away from power struggles. Instead of “I win, you lose,” it looks for solutions where everyone’s needs are respected.

It requires empathy, flexibility, and maturity.

Horsemanship version:
With horses, win–win means training in a way that works for the horse, not just on the horse.

When a horse understands the ask and feels safe trying, compliance turns into cooperation — and the relationship becomes stronger, not strained.

05/02/2026

Habit 3: Put First Things First

In this 7 part series I will detail these 7 Habits as discussed in the book written by Stephen R. Covey and relate them back to horses.

Human version:
This habit reminds us that not everything urgent is important. Real effectiveness comes from prioritising what truly matters — even when it doesn’t feel flashy or exciting.

It’s choosing long-term values over short-term pressure.

Horsemanship version:
In horsemanship, the “first things” are safety, understanding, and emotional regulation — for both horse and human.

Rushing to get a result while skipping these foundations often creates bigger problems later.

Basics aren’t boring. They’re essential.

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04/02/2026

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind

In this 7 part series I will detail these 7 Habits as discussed in the book written by Stephen R. Covey and relate them back to horses.

Human version:
This habit is about clarity. Knowing what kind of person, parent, partner, or professional you want to be — and letting that guide your daily choices.

Without a clear end in mind, it’s easy to drift or react in the moment.

Horsemanship version:
With horses, this means being clear about the kind of horse you want to develop, or even specifically what you want to teach them.

If the goal is a confident, willing, relaxed partner, then the way we train has to match that — even when it’s inconvenient.
When teaching our horse a specific skill it is important that we have a clear picture in mind about the end result. Unless we know what it will look like we will miss opportunities to reward the horse for being on the right track.

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04/02/2026

Lovely pics of Mars' winning freestyle routine in the open Kaimanawa class at the competition over the weekend.

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03/02/2026

The giant game of Tetris to collect more fencing panels to contain wild horses. Thanks Stronghold for your support.