Steady Horse

12/17/2025

“Where are the treats?” Here’s the honest answer.

Treats work fast, but they’re a band-aid. I build trust so a horse chooses rest and safety in the trailer, that gives them agency and keeps handlers safer. With pushy or aggressive horses, treats actually teach the wrong lesson.

💬 Got any horse questions? Leave them in the comments 👇

12/17/2025

Does noise make your horse nervous?
If so, you’re not alone — and the solution isn’t tiptoeing or creating a “quiet bubble” around them.

In this week’s blog, Amy breaks down why ordinary barn noise is actually one of the most powerful confidence-building tools you have. From tarps and buckets to backfiring trucks, she explains how controlled exposure helps your horse learn to think instead of react — and how it strengthens your connection in the process.

If you want a calmer, more confident horse in real-world situations, this is a must-read.

👉 Read the full blog: https://vist.ly/4iw99

12/17/2025

Most horses don’t need more correction.
They need clarity — and a release they can trust.

When Slate felt uncomfortable, we worked through it calmly instead of avoiding it.
That’s how you interrupt stress and reset the nervous system.

👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4iv68
💬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭?

Endless gratitude for Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC for this chance!

12/16/2025

Before I ever touch a mane or a tail, I want to know how the horse feels about the object in my hand.

If Slate moves, I move with him.
When he softens, I retreat and take the pressure away.
That’s how he learns this isn’t something to worry about.

This foundation matters — especially before we start handling feet.

👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://vist.ly/4iq7u
And none of this happens without Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️

12/15/2025

“How do you know when to let go?”

The only way horses learn is when we take pressure away. Wait for a small, real sign — standing still, drop of the head, or a lick/chew — then release and let them own that win. That tiny moment builds confidence more than anything else.

Got questions about horses or horsemanship? Drop them in the comments below 👇

12/15/2025

A lot of people are worried about his mane and tail—and I get it.

But before I brush anything out, I need to know I can work around him safely without getting kicked or bitten.

This is what real horsemanship looks like: doing things in the right order.
🎥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 👉 https://vist.ly/4ik4u

❤️ A big shout-out to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC for this opportunity.

12/15/2025

This is the moment so many of you have been waiting for — grooming Slate for the VERY first time. And let me tell you, it’s been a journey.

Slate’s never been brushed before. His mane? A wild tangle of dreadlocks. His tail? We’re saving that story for later. Today, it’s all about trust, patience, and small wins.

I’m sharing exactly how we’re building that connection — one brush stroke at a time. No rushing. No pressure. Just learning together.

We even got the secret weapon: coconut oil — thanks to your awesome tips! 🥥 And you won’t believe the transformation already starting to happen.

Oh, and there's someone suggested trying WD-40 to tackle those stubborn knots! 😂 From organic coconut oil to... well, let’s just say “industrial strength” if needed. Don’t worry, I’m sticking to the coconut oil for now!

👉 Watch the FULL journey with Slate here: https://youtu.be/pP1bTytHE60

Let me know — have you ever faced a challenge like this with your horse? What’s your go-to grooming hack?

Grooming Slate has been a long time coming… and today we finally take the first real step. This is Slate’s very first true brushing session, and instead of r...

12/12/2025

If riding has felt a little shaky lately, come join us for an hour that’ll make everything feel lighter.

On Dec 16 @ 6PM CT, I’m hosting a free live workshop where we slow everything down, talk about real safety, real trust, and real solutions that actually work.
You’ll be able to ask questions, get clarity, and learn alongside riders just like you.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬:
👉 https://vist.ly/4ia7x

12/10/2025

Ever feel your horse “leave” you mentally?
Their body is with you… but their mind is somewhere else—ears locked forward, head high, attention gone.

Most riders take this personally.
But a checked-out horse isn’t being stubborn.
They’re confused, unsure, or overwhelmed.

And the fix isn’t more pressure or louder cues.
It’s softness.
The kind of clarity that brings their mind back before their body leaves.

I just released a new blog breaking down how softness re-centers your horse, redirects their focus, and builds the kind of connection that keeps you both safe.

👉 Read the full blog here: https://vist.ly/4hzk2/post/Is-Your-Horse-Checking-Out

If you want to go deeper, there’s also a free training available for a limited time that shows you how to create calmer, safer rides.

🎥 Watch the free training: https://vist.ly/4hzk2

12/10/2025

Moments like these — a soft step, a loose rein, a calm mind — tell me Slate’s finally choosing connection over tension.

People often think progress requires schooling nonstop, but quiet exercises done anywhere build the most trust.
This is how confidence grows: one intentional foot placement at a time.

A big shout-out to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️ Grateful for the chance to help Slate take the next steps in his journey.

👇 What’s one area you want to build more confidence with your horse?

🎥 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4hykp

12/09/2025

Teaching Slate to navigate tight spaces is about trust, not pressure.

I keep the setup steady so he can learn the world won’t fall apart when something feels uncomfortable.

A big shout-out to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️ Their dedication is the reason Slate even had a chance to be here today.

👇 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4htei

12/08/2025

A horse that rushes through narrow spaces is a horse that isn’t fully connected.

Slate handled these tight gaps with softness and thoughtfulness, and that’s what keeps riders safe..

Huge thanks to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️ for trusting us with his journey.

👇 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4hn4u