The Horsefulness Training Podcast

This episode is about something that influences every single moment we share with our horses, even when we’re not aware of it.It’s about body awareness and self-awareness.It’s about the subtle, yet powerful language we speak through our posture, our breath, and our energy.In this episode, you’ll learn: what body and self-awareness really area simple awareness practice to do with your horse that will deepen your connectionwhy this kind of awareness matters in trainingwhat true feel isand you’ll hear real-life stories to inspire youI also warmly invite you to join the Inner Circle list of my upcoming Liberty Connection & Beyond program.You can join the list here.

Have you ever raised your voice at your horse… or reacted out of frustration?You’re not alone.In this episode, we’re talking about something few feel safe to talk about: punishment. Not because we want to hurt our horses, but because we’re human… and sometimes emotions take over.But what really happens when we punish a horse?And how can we shift from reaction to real connection?In this episode, you’ll learn:Why punishment doesn’t lead to true learningWhat horses actually need when things go wrongHow to respond without causing fear or confusionWhat to do when emotions run high and how to repair trustThis episode isn’t about judging yourself. It’s about understanding more deeply, becoming more aware and making space for a new way.You’ll walk away with insights, tools, and a renewed sense of possibility: that softness and clarity can go hand in hand, and that you can be a calm, connected, and grounded presence for your horse.And if this touched you, please share it with a friend who might need to hear it too!For more inspiration visit Horsefulnesstraining.comWith love, -- Karine

In this episode of the Horsefulness Training Podcast, I talk about something that surprises many horsewomen: the idea that groundwork shouldn’t come first.You’ll discover:Why groundwork exercises like leading, lunging, trailer loading or obstacle work don’t build true connection on their ownWhat should come before groundwork and whyThe importance of Liberty Connection Work as a foundationWhat happens when you focus on connection first, and training secondI also share more about my Liberty Connection & Beyond program, how it helps you build a strong foundation, and how to join the Inner Circle List to be first to know when the doors open.▶ For more about the Liberty & Beyond Program, and join the Inner Circle list, visit https://horsefulnesstraining.com/beyond-horse-training-program/With love, -- Karine

Many horsewomen don’t realize how their own energy, affects their horse in so many ways. Yes, most of you know you should be calm, most of you know that a horse can mirror you, but most of you don’t do enough to work with this. Horses are incredibly sensitive to energy, and even the slightest tension can create discomfort ordistance between you. And that is even more so, if you are dealing with a traumatized horse, or a horse that is anxious, stressed, or in another way out of balance. In this episode I share three simple but essential steps to help your (challenging) horse, feel more connected, calm and trustful.So, take this opportunity to take the first step to connect with your horse in a new way.Enjoy, and if you have any questions, just ⁠send me an e-mail⁠ or post it here in the comment section.With love, -- KarineFor more inspiration, please visit my website Horsefulnesstraining.com

What if the strongest bond with your horse didn’t start with doing… but with simply being?In this episode, I share the heartfelt story of a so-called “sour mare” that changed the way I looked at connecting with horses forever, and how that experience grew into one the powerful practice of what I came to call Bonding Time.You’ll learn:What Bonding Time really is (spoiler: it’s notjust “spending undemanding time together”)Why it’s the essential first step of LibertyConnection WorkWhy it’s important to adapt the way you do Bonding Time with your horse. It’s not a one-size-fits-all practiceReal stories of transformationIf you’ve ever felt there must be a more natural and a more soulful way to bond and connect with your horse, this episode will feel like home.Want to learn more about the Bonding Time Deep Dive? Here’s the link where you’ll find all the information: https://horsefulnesstraining.com/bonding-time-deep-dive/If this episode spoke to you, I’d be so grateful if you shared it with others who might need to hear it too. You can tag me in your Stories or leave a comment here on Spotify; it means so much. Thank you!With love, -- Karine

In this episode I talk about something that I carry deeply in my heart. It's a message I wish every horse owner could feel with his heart, and not just understand with their head.It’s this: “Your horse doesn't need to be fixed”.We live in a world that is very focused on problems and which is very goal orientated. We are trained to see what’s wrong, what needs to be corrected and what needs to improve or change. And this way of thinking, often without us realizing, creeps into our relationship with our horse as well.But what if there is nothing wrong with your horse? What if your horse doesn’t need fixing, but understanding? When you look at your horse with the eyes of your heart, you begin to see something else. You can see the message behind what they’re doing. You can see communication behind the behavior.If you are ready to move beyond traditional problem-solving methods and embrace a deeper, more soulful partnership with your horse, this episode will offer you a fresh perspective and practical inspiration.For more free resources on building a true and natural connection with your horse, visit www.horsefulnesstraining.com⁠.Thank you for listening and for being part of this journey towards more connection, communication, and joy with your horse. Feel free to drop a comment/question, and let me know what you think about this episode.With love,-- Karine

In this episode, we continue our myth-busting journey by taking a closer look at a very persistent belief from dominance-based training methods: If you move your feet first, you act lower in rank.This idea suggests that letting your horse "move you" somehow diminishes your authority. But is that really how horses think? The answer is no, and in this episode, I explain why.What you’ll learn in this episode:The difference between moving with purpose and being driven away Situations where it's okay (even wise!) to let your horse "move you" How to recognize when to stand your ground and when to yield Why leadership is not about rigid rules, but about awareness, confidence, and communicationYou’ll hear how conscious movement, and not control through dominance, helps build a better bond and mutual respect with your horse.Whether you're a beginner or an experienced horsewoman, this episode will help you train with more clarity, softness, and trust.Got a question or insight?Email me at info@horsefulnesstraining.com or leave a comment — I read and respond to every one!Explore more mindful horse training tips on www.horsefulnesstraining.comAnd don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode.In the next episode, I’ll be diving into Myth #5: “Horses need to know who’s boss, otherwise they’re hard to train” — one you definitely want to hear!Until then, enjoy your time with your horse.With love, -- Karine

Free training: https://horsefulnesstraining.com/from-trauma-to-trust/In this episode, I talk about one of the most common myths in the horse world: that to be your horse's leader, you need to be higher in rank. This idea is based on the belief that horses follow a strict hierarchy, but that is simply not how it works in real life.Horses do not have a fixed ranking system, and leadership in a herd is not about dominance. It is about trust, calmness, and mutual understanding. In this episode, I explain why showing dominance is not the same as being a good leader, and how you can develop the kind of leadership your horse truly responds to.I also share why Bonding Time is the very first step I teach in Horsefulness Training. It is not just about creating a connection with your horse, but also about finding your own calm and confidence. When you build a solid foundation of trust and emotional balance, your horse will naturally start to follow your lead.You will hear how many of my students experience big changes within just a few days of starting Bonding Time, not only in their horses, but in themselves as well.If you are ready to take the first step toward a natural and mindful partnership with your horse, I invite you to join my free training. Enjoy this episode on Myth #2, and I hope to welcome you in the free training. In the next episode, I will dive into Myth #3: "My horse is dominant."

In the upcoming five episodes of the Horsefulness Training Podcast, I'll be talking about the top five myths and misconceptions in horse training. We'll also see how these misconceptions affect the relationship between horses and humans.In this episode, I take a closer look at Myth #1: the idea that you have to be your horse’s leader. This is something I hear often, but it’s based on a misunderstanding of how leadership actually works in a group of horses. I explain how this can negatively affect the way we work with our horses. You will also hear how, in Horsefulness Training, especially during Liberty Connection Training, we shift naturally between guiding our horse and following their lead. It is a two-way communication, built on mutual respect and trust.In the next episode, I will talk about Myth #2: "If you want to be your horse’s leader, you need to be higher in rank". I hope you will join me for that one as well.And, if you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you subscribed and left a review. That way, you help others discover the Horsefulness Training philosophy too.Take care, connect with your horse, and keep making a difference in your horse’s life. Because your horse only lives once.

During my work with horses and students I identified 5 main causes why horses lose their joy and become fearful, stressed or resistant during training.If you are experiencing training problems with your horse at the moment, or you want to prevent having problems, for sure this episode will be valuable to you!

In this second episode of the Horsefulness Training Podcast I go deeper into what Groundwork according to the Horsefulness phylosophy is, why you should do Groundwork and I answers 5 questions that were sent in by mail.Q1: My horse is pretty anxious about tractors and big vehicles. She is also very spooky when we pass bushes and branches. Then she disconnects and only wants one thing: run off! How can I keep the connection when she is so afraid?Q2: My horse is afraid to back up out of the trailer. Any advice on how to train him to back up instead of turning in the trailer to unload?Q3: If Liberty is the foundation, and you can do everything in Liberty, why do you go to Groundwork? Can’t we do everything in Liberty? What is the benefit of doing Groundwork?Q4: I had to use a lot of direct pressure from my instructor to teach my horse to yield. This didn't feel right. Is it really necessary to teach your horse to yield to direct pressure?Q5: The Groundwork I've been doing became too easy for my horse, and therefore she loses interest. I would like to get some tips on how to make Groundwork more difficult and stimulating for her and me.When answering these 5 questions, Karine talks about Accepting fear Focusing on your breath to stay present Using the "liberty-principle" when doing groundwork Communication versus force when yielding to physical aidsShe also tunes in on How to prepare your horse in a step by step manner for traffic Why negative reinforcement is not "negative", like some people think What a groundwork sequence is, And much more!The blog-post about yielding for physical aids that she refers to in this episode is this one.