Come Ride With Me

We’re all traumatized. Now what?After a question at Happy Horse Camp about what “trauma lens” I work from, I found myself reflecting on my childhood, my years as a 911 dispatcher, and the many theories I’ve studied—from learning theory and neuroscience to polyvagal theory and psychology. What I’ve learned is that no single framework explains every horse or every human.In this episode, we explore why life leaves marks on all of us, why trauma doesn’t mean broken, and why I believe awareness—not labels, dominance, or even trauma itself—is the foundation of growth.We’ll talk about post-traumatic growth, the danger of labeling horses and humans, the two extremes horse people often fall into, and why I teach awareness before technique. You’ll also walk away with a few simple practices to help you observe with more curiosity and less judgment.Because behavior is information, not identity.And maybe the question isn’t “What happened to us?” but “What is possible next?”✨ Want to dive deeper? Awareness is the first Seed in Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart. You can also access my free Awareness workshop on my website or inside the Happy Horse and Rider Lab community on Skool.Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!

Do you think your horse needs to be tired to be good?A lot of riders have been taught that a tired horse is a relaxed horse. So we lunge them first, ride them down, or keep them moving until they “settle.” But exhaustion is not relaxation — and in the long run, it often creates fitter, more frustrated horses instead of calmer ones.In this episode, Anna dives into the concepts of Reflex to Relax and Rhythmic Relaxation, exploring how rhythm, nervous system regulation, and emotional safety affect your horse’s ability to learn, trust, and stay mentally present.You’ll learn:• Why tiredness decreases learning and mental clarity• The difference between coping and true relaxation• How horses read rhythm and energy• Why rhythm signals safety to mammals• How nervous systems synchronize with each other• Why relaxation and rhythm are the true foundation of training• How riders accidentally create tension by over-asking• A simple exercise to begin teaching your horse a Reflex to RelaxThis episode also explores how many “lazy,” anxious, or resistant horses may actually be struggling with nervous system dysregulation rather than disobedience — and how teaching relaxation can change your entire relationship with your horse.Whether you ride dressage, trail ride, compete, or simply want a deeper connection with your horse, this conversation will help you rethink relaxation, training, and what horses truly need from us.Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnershipEmail me at Anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!

How many times have you heard the phrase “inside leg to outside rein”… but still secretly had no idea what it was supposed to FEEL like?In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, I’m breaking down 3 simple exercises that help riders finally understand the connection between the inside hind leg, outside shoulder, and outside aids — not just intellectually, but physically.Using everything from hindquarter yields to figure 8 patterns (plus a surprising Gravitron carnival ride analogy 🤣), we explore how to create true connection, balance, bend, better half halts, and smoother turns without micromanaging your horse with the reins.If you’ve ever struggled with:• horses falling in or out through the shoulder • weak turns or wobbly circles • overusing the outside rein • understanding “inside leg to outside rein” • creating real self-carriage and connection …this episode is for you.Plus, I’ll walk you through:🐴 The hindquarter yield that builds nearly everything 🐴 How to ride from your inside aids 🐴 Why transitions improve feel 🐴 A simple setup for teaching half halts 🐴 How to stop “holding” your horse together Because once you FEEL it… everything changes.Watch the video examples on YouTube for the full visual breakdown and try this week’s 10 Minute Experiment with your horse.Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!

What if your horse isn’t inconsistent…but just hasn’t been allowed to think for themselves?In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, we dive into horse autonomy—what it really means, why it matters, and how it can completely change your riding experience.I’m joined by Elizabeth Reicks, founder of Hatha Equus, to explore how giving horses more choice, responsibility, and freedom within boundaries leads to safer, more confident, and more responsive partners.Whether you ride dressage, trail ride, or are just getting started with horses, this conversation will help you rethink traditional training and start building a more connected partnership.🧠 In this episode, we cover:What autonomy in horse training actually meansWhy control doesn’t create safety (and what does)The difference between obedience and true partnershipHow autonomy improves balance, self-carriage, and behaviorWhy you don’t need to ride bridleless to startSimple exercises to build autonomy in your horse🐎 Featured Concepts:Horse training • Horse behavior • Dressage training • Natural horsemanship • Horse psychology • Rider balance • Self-carriage • Pressure and release • Building trust with your horse • Liberty and bridleless riding🎧 Listen / Follow:Subscribe for weekly episodes on horse training, rider mindset, and building a better partnership with your horse.🌿 Work With Me:Explore courses, clinics, and resources:👉 https://www.equusenlightened.comGet the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!🔑 Keywords:horse autonomy, horse training, horse behavior, dressage training, natural horsemanship, horse riding tips, rider confidence, horse psychology, how to train a horse, horse partnership, self carriage horse, bridleless riding, liberty training horses

When most riders hear “playfulness” in horse training, they picture liberty work, toys, or something that feels… optional.But what if play isn’t extra at all?What if it’s actually one of the most effective ways to prepare your horse’s body, mind, and nervous system for riding?In this episode, I sit down with Giorgia Ghizzoni, co-founder of Hatha Equus, to explore what playfulness really means—and why it has such a powerful impact on learning, performance, and connection.We talk about:The difference between playfulness and chaosIntrinsic motivation vs. compliance (and why it matters)How play improves coordination, confidence, and self-carriageWhy some horses resist—and what they might actually be telling youHow to start shifting from control to curiosity in your everyday workThis conversation goes far beyond toys and tricks. It’s about helping your horse want to participate, not just tolerate what you’re asking.If you’ve ever felt like something is missing in your training—or like there has to be a better way than pushing through—this episode will give you a new lens to look through.🎧 Stay until the end for this week’s Ten Minute Tuesday experiment to start applying this immediately.Find Giorgia at https://hathaequusinternational.comor on social media as Giorgia Ghizzoni and Hatha EquusGet the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!

Do you ever feel like your horse just isn’t listening… no matter how clearly you ask?Most riders assume they have a training problem.But more often than not, it’s actually a communication problem.In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, we dive into what’s really going on when your horse feels resistant, tense, or “uncooperative”—and why taking it personally might be the very thing shutting down your connection.You’ll learn:Why your horse isn’t ignoring you (and what they’re actually responding to)How the habit of taking things personally affects your trainingThe hidden sense of entitlement and how it shows up in everyday ridingWhy horses learn more like toddlers than machinesHow simplifying your asks can completely change your resultsA simple 10-minute experiment to start improving communication right awayIf you’re ready to stop “fixing” your horse and start having a real conversation… this episode will change the way you see everything.Watch my fly mask experiment here:https://youtube.com/shorts/yVeiMf4CD8U?feature=shareGet the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!

Many riders spend years trying to perfect their aids — better hands, better leg, better timing.But there’s one piece of the conversation with your horse that often gets missed.Awareness.Before your horse ever feels pressure or responds to a cue, they experience you — your posture, your breath, your emotional tone, and the energy you bring into the interaction.In this episode, I’m sharing a clip from my Awareness Workshop where we explore three subtle but powerful parts of horse-human communication:• The energy you bring when you ask a question• The timing of your release• Why showing joy at the reward helps horses understand they got it rightThrough a simple example — putting a fly mask on a horse — we look at how small shifts in awareness can completely change the conversation and create curiosity instead of resistance.If this resonates with you, the full workshop (including the Q&A and additional “aha” moments) is available inside my community The Happy Horse & Rider Lab.Because sometimes the biggest breakthroughs with horses come from the smallest changes in how we show up.Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.netHappy Riding!

If your horse isn’t progressing, it might not be a training problem.In this episode, I’m joined by dressage trainer Elaine Hayes of Partnership Dressage to explore why true Awareness is the foundation of sustainable performance. We talk about what we’re actually taught in the horse world — and what we’re not — including how behavior can be a clue, how pain and discomfort are often misinterpreted, and how domestic horse-keeping impacts training outcomes.This conversation kicks off Seed 1: Awareness from Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart — because before you fix anything, you have to see clearly.If you’ve ever felt like something wasn’t adding up in your riding, this episode is for you.Find Elaine here: https://partnershipdressage.comFind the ECVM support group here:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1aUFBfdUpK/Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at anna@equusenlightened.comHappy Riding!

What if autonomy is the very thing that makes horses safer, more confident, and more capable of true self-carriage?In this episode, we dive into the concept of autonomy through both lived experience and research—specifically a study exploring the relationship between horse welfare, rider safety, and rider satisfaction. What surprised me most was discovering that what researchers often call “control” actually aligns closely with what I teach as supported autonomy: clarity, predictability, choice, and mutual influence.We’ll unpack:What autonomy really means for horses (and riders)Why mammals thrive when they feel they have influence over their environmentHow clear communication increases safety without dominationHow to build autonomy step-by-step from the ground into the saddleWhy “advanced” movements are simply the basics, taught in thoughtful pieces and then brought together like a puzzleIf you’ve ever felt stuck, over-controlling, or confused about how to progress without shutting your horse down, this episode offers a different lens—one rooted in understanding, empathy, and leadership as a flow state.Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuildEmail me at anna@equusenlightened.netHappy Riding!

What if the simplest thing your horse can do—stand still—was actually the foundation of everything you’ll ever teach them?In this episode, Anna dives into how true self-carriage begins with the simplest asks and why the classical masters (and the best modern trainers) all agree: advanced work is just the basics, done better. You’ll learn why returning to fundamentals isn’t regression, it’s refinement—and how every new level of dressage is just a deeper version of the same conversation.Anna also introduces the next Seed of Partnership: Relational Consistency—and how it bridges the gap between your horse’s physical balance and emotional trust.Stay tuned to the end for this week’s Ten Minute Tuesday experiment—your invitation to rediscover precision, presence, and partnership in the simplest moments.Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Email me at anna@equusenlightened.netHappy Riding

In this episode of Come Ride With Me, I combine two powerful experiments—“Find the Rhythm” and “Make It Messy”—to show how letting go of control actually creates more clarity in the saddle. You’ll ride along with me and Namastee as we explore how to feel what’s happening, respond without overcorrecting, and use messy moments to build better communication.If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting a perfect ride and not wanting to micromanage your horse, this one’s for you.✨ Let it be messy. Let it be real. Let it be progress.Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is Equus Enlightened.https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedEmail me at anna@equusenlightened.netHappy Riding!

This is a follow-up to the weekly experiment in episode one. You can also watch the video on YouTube. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is Equus Enlightened.https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedEmail me at anna@equusenlightened.netHappy Riding!

In this episode I play with a young horse working to build confidence around trailer loading. We often hear the phrase "it isn't about the trailer". While this is very true, trailer loading is often a tangible goal that fits the human mindset. I use highlight techniques that build confidence and trust, but the most important lesson is to remain perceptive and mindful. I talk about some of the things I noticed in previous sessions with this horse that might make his desire to load questionable. I ask Remi a few different questions so I can gauge his responses before we even go near the trailer. Then, I focus on his mind being engaged and curious with the trailer. Which allows him to have the courage to step inside. Listen to this episode and get some practical guidance on nurturing your equine partner's bravery and curiosity. Discover strategies for teaching your horse to explore independently and handle challenging situations with ease. Dive into an insightful journey of fostering emotionally stable equine companions and becoming a perceptive rider. For more resources, visit Equus Enlightened online. For those of you interested in videos of the podcast, there are some up on youtube. My channel is Equus Enlightened and it’s linked in the linktree below. Find out more about Equus Enlightened at www.equusenlightened.net or on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Powerful Equestrian Partnerships or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened. https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!