Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Thinking Horse and Rider: Helping Riders Understand Their Horses | Anna Fox

Plongez dans la liste complète des épisodes de The Thinking Horse and Rider: Helping Riders Understand Their Horses | Anna Fox. Chaque épisode est catalogué accompagné de descriptions détaillées, ce qui facilite la recherche et l'exploration de sujets spécifiques. Suivez tous les épisodes de votre podcast préféré et ne manquez aucun contenu pertinent.

	Titre	Date	Durée
	82. What Horse Dissections Reveal About Pain, Posture & Performance	03 Nov 2026	00:45:48
Is your horse struggling with stiffness, uneven movement, difficulty bending, or recurring performance problems? What if the issue you're trying to fix isn't actually where the problem begins? In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider Podcast, Anna Fox welcomes Lorre Mueller of Trinity Equine Services, an equine osteopath and Masterson Method certified practitioner who has led more than 50 whole-horse dissections. Together, they explore what looking inside the horse can teach us about the health, movement, and performance of our living horses. From the interconnected nature of fascia to compensatory movement patterns, hoof imbalances, and the surprising amount of joint wear Lorre has observed, this conversation challenges us to look beyond isolated symptoms. You'll also hear about an eye-opening dissection demonstration involving bit pressure, poll position, and hind limb movement—and why a horse feeling light in your hands doesn't necessarily mean the rest of its body is functioning freely. Perhaps the most important question Lorre raises is this: Have we become so accustomed to seeing dysfunction in horses that we've forgotten what healthy movement actually looks like? Whether you're a rider, trainer, farrier, bodyworker, or simply a curious horse owner, this conversation will encourage you to observe more closely, ask better questions, and consider the whole horse before assuming a problem is simply behavioral or training-related. Learn more about Lorre Mueller and Trinity Equine Services: https://trinityequineservices.com/about Private Whole-Horse Dissection for Trainers — December 4–6, 2026, in Louisburg, NC: https://trinityequineservices.com/private-dissection-louisburg-nc Content note: This episode includes educational discussion of equine dissections without graphic visuals. We honor these horses as the teachers they are while learning how to better support the horses still with us. If this episode gets you thinking differently about your horse, follow The Thinking Horse and Rider Podcast and share it with another horseperson. Let's keep these conversations going! Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	81. Beyond the Bit: Slow Down to Learn Faster with Daniel Dauphin	16 Oct 2026	00:54:29
Could you ask your horse to walk exactly seven steps—and stop on the seventh? It sounds simple, but Daniel Dauphin explains why slowing down can reveal the gaps we rush past. In Beyond the Bit: Slow Down to Learn Faster with Daniel Dauphin, I’m joined by the horseman, clinician, and host of Adult Onset Horsemanship for a conversation about better learning at both ends of the reins. We explore what bits can—and can’t—do, why the walk deserves more attention, and how stepping outside our horse-world bubbles can make us more thoughtful riders. Daniel also shares his vision for the Best Horse Practices Summit and discusses Buck the Trend, a mental-health initiative supporting people in the horse community. Along the way, expect a few dad jokes and practical exercises for this episode’s ten-minute experiment. Explore Daniel’s work and the organizations mentioned: • Dauphin Horsemanship: https://dauphinhorsemanship.com • The Bit Course: https://thebitcourse.com • Best Horse Practices Summit: https://besthorsepracticessummit.org Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	80. What’s the Mission? Adam Trenk on Horses, Leadership & Rebuilding Genuine Billy Cook Saddles	08 Oct 2026	00:37:37
What happens when the plan falls apart? In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, Anna Fox talks with Adam Trenk, CEO of Genuine Billy Cook Saddles, about horses, leadership, pressure, resilience, and rebuilding an iconic Western brand. Adam shares the story of acquiring Genuine Billy Cook after years of decline, slowing production down to restore craftsmanship and quality, and then rebuilding the company again after a devastating tornado destroyed the factory in Sulphur, Oklahoma. But this conversation goes far beyond saddles. Anna and Adam explore the parallels between horsemanship and entrepreneurship: taking small wins, rebuilding trust, staying patient under pressure, learning from failure, and knowing when to adapt instead of forcing the original plan. They also talk about saddle fit, Western versus English riding, leadership, nervousness, and one of the most important questions we can ask before working with a horse: What’s the mission? Because the right tool, the right amount of pressure, and even the right plan depend on the horse, the situation, and what you’re actually trying to accomplish. In this episode: • The rebirth of Genuine Billy Cook Saddles • Rebuilding after the 2024 Sulphur tornado • Why patience and small wins matter in horses and business • Using the least amount of pressure possible • Saddle fit and choosing the right tool for the job • What horses teach us about leadership • Failure, resilience, and getting back on • Situational awareness and knowing when to change the plan Whether you ride Western, English, dressage, hunters, jumpers, or just want to become a more thoughtful partner for your horse, there’s plenty here to take back to the barn. 🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: What’s today’s mission? Learn more about Genuine Billy Cook Saddles at genuinebillycook.com. Want to go deeper into awareness, trust, timing, and communication with your horse? Find Reconnect, Rebuild & Ride with Heart in the show notes. Find Genuine Billy Cook Saddles @https://genuinebillycook.com/collections/saddles or on Instagram @genuinebillycook Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	79. Ride Easier, Help Your Horse Move Better with Mary Debono	29 Sep 2026	01:07:10
Can changing the way you move help your horse move with greater ease? Feldenkrais Method practitioner and Debono Moves creator Mary Debono joins us to explore how a rider’s balance, breathing, tension, and movement habits shape the horse–human conversation. We discuss why familiar patterns aren’t always comfortable, how curiosity can be more effective than correction, and why trying harder can sometimes make movement more difficult. Mary shares a gentler approach to rider pain, horse stiffness, compensatory movement, and nervous-system learning. She also guides us through a short seated movement experience designed to increase awareness, ease, and choice. Please wait until you are seated somewhere safe—and not driving, riding, or operating equipment—to try it. Learn more about Mary at marydebono.com. Get your free videos here: https://www.marydebono.com/rider Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	78. Does Your Horse Owe You Obedience? \| Trust, Control & True Partnership	24 Sep 2026	00:43:05
We pay the bills. We buy the feed. We schedule the vet. We rearrange our lives around our horses. It’s easy to start feeling like the horse should give us something back. A good ride. Good behavior. Effort. Compliance. But horses don’t think about relationships that way. In this episode of The Thinking Horse & Rider, we’re talking about relational tension—the tension that develops when expectations, control, trust, communication, and partnership all collide. We’ll explore why “my horse should do this for me” can quietly change the way we ride, why compliance is not the same as partnership, and what happens when we stop asking whether the horse was “good” and start asking how the horse actually felt that day. We’ll also talk about: • Why caring for your horse does not purchase obedience • The difference between compliance and true partnership • Why horses need clear communication, not constant management • How predictability builds relational trust • Why agency, choice, and control matter to horses • How entitlement can creep into horse training without us realizing it • Why a “good horse” is not always a happy horse • How to redefine trust so it doesn’t mean “my horse will never surprise me” • What it means to listen without immediately trying to control the outcome One of the biggest questions in this episode is: Can you allow your horse to make a small choice without treating that choice as a threat to your authority? Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Walk to Partnership Meditation https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/9ckgbm3alzfPQK2HDqho/media/6aac819d867721cb57117360.mp4 Reference Articles https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1798 https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/10/2782 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/opportunities-for-agency-in-domestic-horses-applying-the-behavioural-domain-to-increase-equine-welfare/B79F7F53E2E15FE65DF4EEC3D078C58D Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	77. Why Trying Harder Makes Riding Harder \| Emotional Tension & Better Feel	18 Sep 2026	00:41:54
What happens when trying harder actually makes riding harder? In this episode of The Thinking Horse & Rider, we’re digging into emotional tension—the pressure riders put on themselves to do everything correctly, remember every instruction, fix every mistake, and manage every part of the horse at once. That tension doesn’t just make riding feel harder. It can also make your cues less clear, your body less sensitive, and your horse less certain about what you’re actually asking. We’ll talk about: Why emotional tension often looks like overthinking instead of obvious fear How too many simultaneous cues can confuse the horse Why rewarding the right answer matters just as much as asking the question How pressure, release, repetition, and pauses affect learning Why “more” is not always better How tension narrows attention and reduces your ability to feel subtle information Why curiosity is more useful than immediately labeling something right or wrong How to stop correcting every little thing before your horse has a chance to respond You’ll also get this week’s 10-Minute Experiment: a simple walking exercise where you count the horse’s footfalls, quiet the noise, and start developing better feel. The goal isn’t to ride perfectly. It’s to become quiet enough—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to actually hear what your horse is already telling you. Sometimes your horse isn’t ignoring you. Sometimes they just can’t find the question in all of your noise. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Articles: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787807001359 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787810000626 https://www.equitationscience.com/ises-training-principles?utm_source=chatgpt.com Walk to Partnership Meditation https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/9ckgbm3alzfPQK2HDqho/media/6aac819d867721cb57117360.mp4 Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	76. Your Horse Can Feel Your Anxiety \| Here’s What to Do Before You Ride	03 Sep 2026	00:25:24
If your brain is already rehearsing everything that could go wrong before you ever reach the mounting block, this episode is for you. This week on The Thinking Horse & Rider, we’re continuing the conversation from Episode 75 and digging into mental tension and anticipatory anxiety—the fear of what might happen before anything has actually gone wrong. You’ll learn why your thoughts and body can start rehearsing fear before you ride, how that changes the way you show up around your horse, and why your horse may notice those changes even though they have no idea what story is running through your head. We’ll also talk about how to separate what’s actually happening from what you’re predicting, why present-moment narration can help interrupt anxious thought patterns, and how to start practicing the mental patterns you actually want to keep. In this episode: Why your thoughts are always practicing something How anticipatory anxiety affects your brain and body What your horse may be picking up from your fear Why “don’t be afraid” usually isn’t useful advice How to name anxiety without letting it run the ride A practical 10-minute experiment to bring yourself back to the present How to tell the difference between a real warning sign and a fearful prediction The goal isn’t to convince yourself that nothing bad could ever happen. It’s to become more aware, more present, and better able to respond to the horse you actually have—not the horse you’re afraid you might have. And remember: Your thoughts are always practicing something. The question is whether they’re practicing the pattern you want to keep. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom Walk to Partnership Meditation https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/9ckgbm3alzfPQK2HDqho/media/6aac819d867721cb57117360.mp4 You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	75. The Hardest Part of Riding \| How to Stay Relaxed on Your Horse	25 Aug 2026	00:37:28
In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, we're talking about something almost every rider experiences but few people know how to work through: fear and tension in the saddle. After an unexpected run-in with a wasp (and a horse standing nearby), I realized just how quickly our brains jump into survival mode—and how similar that feels to what many riders experience before they even get on their horse. We'll explore: Why staying relaxed is the hardest part of riding The difference between physical and mental relaxation The four types of tension that affect riders and horses Why "just be confident" and "push through it" often make fear worse Simple exercises to build real balance, body awareness, and confidence How breathing, visualization, and nervous system regulation can improve your riding Why confidence is built through successful experiences—not by ignoring fear Whether you're nervous about cantering, worried about your horse spooking, struggling with self-doubt, or simply want to become a calmer, more connected rider, this episode will give you practical tools to help both you and your horse stay in a learning mindset instead of a survival mindset. Practice the standing exercise at the halt to improve your balance, body awareness, and confidence. Start with a helper if needed, focus on slow, controlled movement, and notice how learning to recover can change the way you ride. 💛 Join The Happy Horse & Rider Lab for more conversations, experiments, and support from riders learning to think differently about their horses. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with another horse person. It helps these conversations reach more riders who want a calmer, more connected partnership with their horses. This Week's 10-Minute Experiment
	74. The Horse Training Mistake Almost Everyone Makes (Without Realizing It)	18 Aug 2026	00:27:59
The Horse Training Mistake Almost Everyone Makes (Without Realizing It) What if one of the biggest mistakes we make with our horses isn't what we teach...it's what we stop teaching? When a horse becomes buddy sour, pushy for treats, anxious at the mounting block, spooky on the trail, or difficult to canter, many of us instinctively remove the problem. We stop taking them to horse shows. We stop feeding treats. We stay in the arena. We avoid the situation altogether. Sometimes that's smart management. But management isn't the same thing as education. In this episode, Anna explores what she calls "The Keep Away Game"—our tendency to avoid the very situations that could help both horse and human learn and grow. Inspired by her recent conversation with animal communicator Ginny Horton, she challenges listeners to rethink whether they're solving the problem...or simply postponing it. You'll learn: Why avoidance is a management strategy—not a training method. The difference between stopping a behavior and teaching a new skill. How punishment and education create very different outcomes. Why well-taught boundaries actually create more freedom for horses. How to know whether your horse isn't ready—or you simply need a new way to teach. What to look for when choosing the right trainer or coach for a specific problem. Why the skills you build at home determine what happens under pressure at a horse show or on the trail. If you've ever found yourself avoiding a situation because it feels easier than working through it, this episode will give you a new way to think about training—and remind you that every challenge is also an opportunity to learn. Choose one thing you've been avoiding with your horse. Then ask yourself: Am I removing the opportunity because my horse isn't ready yet...or because I don't know how to help them become ready? Spend ten minutes researching a new approach. Talk to your trainer. Read a book. Watch a video. Explore a different training modality. Don't just keep the problem away. Start educating yourself—and your horse. If this episode resonated with you, follow The Thinking Horse & Rider Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another horse person who's ready to replace avoidance with education. This Week's 10-Minute Experiment Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	73. How about Animal Communicator Ginny Horton: What Horses Really Need From Humans \| Soul Sketches	10 Aug 2026	00:55:56
What do horses really need from humans? In this episode of The Thinking Horse & Rider, Anna talks with animal communicator Ginny Horton, author and illustrator of Soul Sketches, about what horses may be trying to tell us about community, choice, safety, connection, and belonging. Ginny shares how she became an animal communicator, how remote animal communication works, and some of the common themes she hears from horses during her sessions. The conversation explores why horses may struggle when their social needs are limited, whether humans can truly be part of a horse’s community, how horses experience our emotions and intentions, and why some behaviors we label as training problems may actually be relationship or environment problems. They also talk about horse welfare, independence, competition, listening to subtle signals, and the importance of asking “why” before trying to correct behavior. Plus, Ginny shares the story behind Soul Sketches and how the book brings together real animal communication stories and her illustrations of the emotional messages she receives from animals. If you’ve ever wondered what your horse might want you to understand, this conversation will give you plenty to think about. Find Soul Sketches: Sketches from the soul of real communications from real animals and their humans by Ginny Horton on Amazon https://a.co/d/0gDOah5c Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	72. Heart Centered Horsemanship with Stacey Carter	27 Jul 2026	01:01:01
Should you lead your horse with your heart or your head? In this episode, Anna talks with Stacey Carter, founder of Heart Centered Horsemanship, about moving beyond dominance-based training to create safer, more cooperative relationships with horses. Stacey shares how therapeutic horsemanship, nervous-system work, yoga, and Debono Moves shaped her mindful approach. They explore why non-dominance doesn’t mean weak boundaries, how horses respond to what we’re actually communicating, and why doing less can create greater clarity and connection. For this week’s 10-minute experiment, Stacey invites you to practice “going back to nothing”—releasing unnecessary tension, finding relaxed awareness, and noticing how your horse responds when you stop micromanaging every moment. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	71. Why You Miss the Signs Before Your Horse Spooks (And How to Change It)	19 Jul 2026	00:47:14
Did your horse really spook, buck or bolt “out of nowhere”—or did both of your nervous systems miss the quieter signals leading up to it? In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, Anna explores how stress, information overload and a high baseline level of anxiety can limit a rider’s ability to feel what is happening in their own body and recognize subtle changes in their horse. You’ll learn why regulation does not mean being sleepy or emotionless, why a calm-looking horse may still be dysregulated, and how nervous-system state affects learning, confidence, safety and responsiveness. Anna also challenges common ideas about getting a horse “forward.” Forward is not miles per hour—it is availability. A responsive horse can go, slow down, rebalance and remain mentally present without the rider constantly nagging or applying conflicting aids. This week’s Ten-Minute Tuesday experiment will help you notice the first signs of tension, pause before either of you enters survival mode and practice returning to relaxation before trying again. Join the free Happy Horse and Rider Lab community and learn more about Reconnect, Rebuild and Ride With Heart on Skool.com https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	70. Are You the Person Your Horse Needs You to Become?	06 Jul 2026	00:22:58
We spend so much time chasing outcomes in the horse world. We celebrate ribbons, scores, smooth rides, and milestones. But what if those aren’t the things that truly shape us—or our horses? In this episode of The Thinking Horse & Rider, I explore why the process matters far more than the outcome. Your horse isn’t simply learning from you; they’re revealing who you already are. Every ride exposes your patience, clarity, consistency, emotional regulation, and compassion, giving you an opportunity to grow into the horseman your horse truly needs. We’ll talk about why visualization is only the beginning, how daily execution creates lasting transformation, why some of the best horsemanship happens when you’re nowhere near your horse, and how creating clarity in your practice leads to faster progress for both horse and rider. Because your horse isn’t the project. The relationship is. And relationships are built through process—not outcomes. In this episode: Why goals provide direction but process creates transformation How horses reveal our habits, emotions, and mindset Becoming the person your horse needs instead of trying to “fix” your horse Why daily habits matter more than big breakthroughs How clarity reduces decision fatigue and accelerates learning The difference between riding consistently and practicing consistently A simple three-question experiment to transform your next three weeks Timestamps 00:00 Why our culture celebrates outcomes instead of the process 02:15 Your horse reveals who you already are 05:15 Becoming the person your horse needs 08:20 Visualization is helpful—but execution changes everything 12:45 Why some of the best horsemanship happens away from your horse 16:15 Clarity creates speed: reducing latency in learning 21:30 Decision fatigue and creating a daily training plan 26:00 Why great coaching is about clarity, not more exercises 28:45 Falling in love with repetition 33:00 Every interaction trains two nervous systems 35:45 Consistency is practicing principles—not just riding more 38:10 Your 10-minute experiment: three questions to change your partnership 42:15 Final thoughts: Train yourself, and the horse will follow Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	69. BONUS When is it too Hot to Ride?	04 Jul 2026	00:28:41
Is it too hot to ride your horse? The answer isn’t as simple as checking the thermometer. As a former collegiate athletic trainer, I learned that heat safety isn’t about comfort—it’s about physiology. In this episode, I compare modern sports medicine protocols used by the NCAA, NFL, Olympic athletes, and the military with the way we think about heat in the horse world. You’ll learn why temperature alone doesn’t tell the whole story, what Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is, why humidity, sun, wind, footing, and workload all matter, and how to recognize the early signs of heat stress in both horses and humans before they become emergencies. We’ll also discuss: Why horses and humans overheat differently How fitness, breed, age, and equipment affect heat tolerance Why behavior is often your first warning sign The importance of measuring core body temperature Why “cool first, transport second” saves lives How to make informed decisions instead of relying on arbitrary rules The best horsemen aren’t looking for a number—they’re looking for information. By understanding the physiology behind heat stress, you’ll be better equipped to protect both yourself and your horse during hot weather. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding! Keywords: horse heat stress, riding in hot weather, horse safety, equine health, WBGT, wet bulb globe temperature, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, horse training, equestrian, horse welfare, sports medicine, Thinking Horse and Rider.
	68. The Biggest Myth in Horse Training: Dominance	30 Jun 2026	00:56:52
What does it really mean to be a leader for your horse? For decades, riders have been taught that safety depends on being the “boss”—that horses need a dominant leader who controls every situation. But is that how horses actually live? In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, I sit down with Kim Hallin of Unbridled LLC, author of Horse Wisdom, to explore what horse ethology tells us about leadership, dominance, and the complex social lives of horses. Together, we discuss why wild horse herds don’t operate the way many of us were taught, how fear and control have shaped traditional horsemanship, and what we can learn by observing horses with curiosity instead of judgment. We also explore how our relationships with horses often mirror our relationships with ourselves and others, why autonomy and emotional regulation matter, and how true leadership is built on trust, clarity, and connection—not force. If you’ve ever questioned the advice to “show your horse who’s boss,” this conversation will challenge you to think differently about partnership, leadership, and what horses have been trying to teach us all along. In this episode you’ll learn: • Why dominance theory doesn’t accurately describe horse society • How wild horses share leadership and adapt to changing situations • The difference between leadership and control • How fear influences both riders and training methods • What horses can teach us about relationships, community, and living with greater awareness Chapters and Timestamps 00:00 Welcome Kim Hallin of Unbridled 01:05 What “Unbridled” Really Means 03:10 Horses, Humans, and Domesticated Beliefs 05:35 Are Humans Still Learning From Nature? 08:20 Where Dominance Theory May Have Started 10:15 Why Horse Herds Aren’t Dominance Hierarchies 13:35 Resource Guarding vs True Leadership 16:20 Why Riders Cling to Control 19:10 Fear, Trauma, and “Get Back On” Culture 23:40 When Riding Stops Feeling Joyful 27:30 How Fear Affects Horse and Rider Safety 30:45 Are We Rebranding Control as Leadership? 34:10 Boss vs Leader in Horse-Human Relationships 37:30 What Wild Horses Teach About Cooperation 41:05 Why Force Is Rare in Natural Herds 44:15 Stallions, Fighting, and Misunderstood Behavior 48:20 What Changes When Horses Aren’t Confined 51:10 Scarcity, Hay Piles, and Domestic Herd Stress 54:35 Shiloh the Mustang and Herd Education 59:45 What Young Stallions Actually Need to Learn 1:04:20 The Myth of the Alpha Mare 1:07:15 How Herds Help Raise Foals 1:11:10 Why Autonomy Matters for Horses 1:14:25 Micromanagement and Learned Helplessness 1:18:40 Naming Hard Truths Without Shame 1:21:15 10-Minute Experiment: Watch Spinal Alignment 1:26:30 Kim’s Retreats and Online Community 1:30:10 Horse Wisdom, Ownership, and Consent 1:34:45 Holding Complexity Without Getting Triggered To learn more about Kim Hallin’s work, visit kimhallin.com⁠, where you’ll find information about her immersive retreats, online courses, membership community, and her book, Horse Wisdom: Life Lessons for Humanity. Kim also shares thoughtful essays exploring horse behavior, relationships, and the wisdom of nature through her Substack, My Unbridled Life. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of horse ethology or explore the parallels between horses and human relationships, her work offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	67. We're All Traumatized. Now What?	22 Jun 2026	00:22:27
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.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	66. The Horse Training Advice I Stopped Following: “Don't Let the Horse Win"	11 Jun 2026	00:25:05
One of the most common pieces of horse training advice is, "Don't let the horse win." But what if that mindset is creating more fear, more tension, and more problems than it solves? In this episode, Anna explores what really happens when riders get off after something goes wrong, why punishing a horse for being afraid often backfires, and how nervous system regulation impacts learning for both horses and humans. You'll learn why exhaustion is not the same as relaxation, why horses don't learn well in survival mode, and how ending a session with a positive emotional experience can improve trust, confidence, and rideability over time. Whether you've ever fallen off, felt nervous getting on, or wondered if you're "rewarding bad behavior" by listening to your horse, this conversation offers a different perspective on safety, leadership, and partnership. Topics include: • The myth of "letting the horse win" • Why punishment often fails to create lasting change • Fear, overwhelm, and nervous system dysregulation • The difference between compliance and relaxation • How horses remember emotional experiences • Practical ways to help your horse return to a regulated state Because a horse in survival mode cannot learn—and sometimes the bravest thing a rider can do is stop trying to win the moment. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	65. Why Lunging Your Horse First Isn’t Creating Relaxation (And What to Do Instead)	03 Jun 2026	00:37:18
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 Relax This 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.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	64. The Missing Piece in Horse Training: Relaxation for Horse AND Rider	23 May 2026	00:28:22
What if the missing piece in horse training isn’t more pressure, more control, or better technique… but relaxation? In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider Podcast, I’m sharing why I created the Happy Horse (and Human) Experience at Shining River Ranch and the deeper philosophy behind it. Most riders learn mechanics, positions, corrections, and patterns in riding lessons. But very few of us are taught: - how horses actually learn - how nervous systems affect training - how humans unintentionally create tension - how to regulate energy instead of suppressing behavior - how to create connection instead of compliance We’ll talk about: - why so many equestrians feel tense, disconnected, and over-responsible - how that pressure transfers to horses - the importance of awareness, emotional clarity, and timing - why relaxation is essential for BOTH horse and rider - the groundwork and riding exercises we’ll explore at camp Including: - passive leading - touch-it - moving massage - energy ladder exercises - passive riding - breathing for transitions - hindquarter yield variations This episode is rooted in the principles of Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart and the “7 things we don’t learn in riding lessons.” If you’ve been craving a softer, more connected way of learning with your horse, this conversation is for you. If you want to join us in-person: https://equusenlightened.com/happy-horse-camp-north-carolina If Louisburg, NC is not convenient to you, reach out to me about booking an experience near you. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	63. Inside Leg to Outside Rein Explained (3 Exercises to Finally FEEL It)	18 May 2026	00:39:09
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.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	62. Horse Training Exercises That Build Confidence, Autonomy & Leadership	09 May 2026	00:21:37
In this bonus Ten Minute Tuesday episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, Anna shares two simple horse training experiments designed to improve self-carriage, confidence, autonomy, and connection between horse and rider. After forgetting to include the weekly experiment in the previous episode on autonomy with Elizabeth Reicks, Anna returns with two practical exercises you can try with your horse this week: • The “Echo My Energy” exercise for building self-carriage without constant leg pressure or micromanagement • The “Lead From Behind” exercise to encourage curiosity, confidence, and healthier leadership dynamics This episode explores horse behavior, rider awareness, nervous system regulation, and how giving horses more responsibility can create calmer, more connected partnerships. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly managing your horse every second of the ride, this episode will challenge you to notice more, control less, and start building true communication and flow with your horse. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	61. Horse Autonomy: How Giving Your Horse Choice Builds Safety, Trust & Better Riding	02 May 2026	01:02:45
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 means Why control doesn’t create safety (and what does) The difference between obedience and true partnership How autonomy improves balance, self-carriage, and behavior Why you don’t need to ride bridleless to start Simple 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.com Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy 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
	60. How to Motivate a Lazy Horse Using the Energy Ladder	25 Apr 2026	00:57:47
Is your horse lazy—or just confused? In this episode, we explore how to motivate your horse using the Energy Ladder, helping you create clearer communication, better forward energy, and true self-carriage. Learn why more pressure isn’t the answer, how inconsistent energy creates dull or reactive horses, and how to develop a responsive, willing partner through timing, feel, and release. Want help applying this with your own horse? Join us inside The Happy Horse & Rider Lab on Skool for deeper guidance, training support, and a like-minded community. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	59. How Playfulness Helps Horses Learn and Perform Better with Giorgia Ghizzoni	14 Apr 2026	01:13:38
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 chaos Intrinsic motivation vs. compliance (and why it matters) How play improves coordination, confidence, and self-carriage Why some horses resist—and what they might actually be telling you How to start shifting from control to curiosity in your everyday work This 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.com or on social media as Giorgia Ghizzoni and Hatha Equus Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	58. Why Your Riding Falls Apart and How to Fix It!	07 Apr 2026	00:35:47
Ever feel like everything just falls apart when you ride? One moment you feel capable… and the next you’re thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing right now.” You didn’t forget how to ride. Your brain just got overwhelmed. In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, we break down what’s really happening when your brain “goes offline” in the saddle—and how to find your way back. You’ll learn: Why stress and physical effort shut down your ability to think clearly Why doing more actually makes things worse How to pause, reset, and re-engage your thinking brain How to break exercises into simple pieces your horse can understand Why clarity—not pressure—is the key to better communication and training If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you’re not “good enough” in the moment… this episode will help you understand why—and what to do instead. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	57. Why Your Horse Isn’t Listening (And Are You Taking it Personally)	26 Mar 2026	00:28:46
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 training The hidden sense of entitlement and how it shows up in everyday riding Why horses learn more like toddlers than machines How simplifying your asks can completely change your results A simple 10-minute experiment to start improving communication right away If 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=share Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	56. Why Horses Need the Right to Say No \| Rethinking Horse Training	17 Mar 2026	01:16:12
What kind of relationship would you want to be in if you were never allowed to say no? It’s a question that stops a lot of horse people in their tracks — and it’s exactly where this conversation begins. In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider Podcast, Anna Fox continues exploring the foundations behind Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart with Seed 3: Relational Consistency. Most riders think about their relationship with their horse only in terms of training or riding. But horses didn’t evolve in training programs — they evolved in herds, where safety, learning, and emotional regulation are shaped by relationships. What happens when we overlook that? Anna is joined by Kim Hallin, founder of Unbridled LLC, a writer and horsewoman who advocates for a more thoughtful and compassionate approach to horses that recognizes them as intelligent, social beings. Together they explore: • What consistency in relationships means to a horse • Whether horses can form meaningful bonds with humans • Why social stability affects trust, behavior, and cooperation • The role of freedom, choice, and autonomy in healthy partnerships • How relational environments may influence many problems we see under saddle This conversation challenges some deeply ingrained ideas about control, leadership, and training — and invites us to consider a different possibility: That the quality of our horses’ relationships may matter just as much as the quality of our techniques. Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Find Kim Hallin at: https://www.kimhallin.com or on YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@KimHallin Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	55. The Missing Piece in Most Horse-Human Partnerships	10 Mar 2026	00:35:28
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 right Through 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.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	54. Seeing the World Through Your Horse’s Eyes	03 Mar 2026	00:51:25
What if your horse isn’t being difficult… What if you’re just seeing the situation from the wrong point of view? In this episode, I sit down with former competitive dressage rider turned animal communicator Angie Morin to talk about what it really means to see the world through your horse’s eyes. We explore: • Why horses start with whispers — not “bad behavior” • The difference between correcting and communicating • How tension, spooking, and resistance may be missed signals • Why animals communicate with love — even when setting boundaries • And why “softer and slower” might be the message your horse has been trying to send all along If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of correction, frustration, or confusion with your horse… this conversation might shift how you approach everything from daily chores to riding under saddle. Because communication isn’t mystical. It’s presence. It’s perspective. And it starts by asking one simple question: What does this look like from my horse’s point of view? Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Learn more about Angie at www.angiemorin.com Email Angie at angie@angiemorin.com Check her out on Facebook @ Angie Morin, Animal Communicator Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	53. Why Your Horse Isn’t Progressing: The Missing Piece of Awareness	25 Feb 2026	01:11:33
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.com Find the ECVM support group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1aUFBfdUpK/ Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about You 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	52. What Riding Lessons Don’t Teach You (But Your Horse Needs Most)	15 Feb 2026	00:34:09
What are the most important horsemanship skills that riding lessons never teach you? In this powerful conversation, Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened is joined by lifelong friend and former professional groom Ellen Peebles to explore the seven missing pieces in traditional riding instruction. From awareness and energy to relational consistency, autonomy, and leadership in flow, they unpack what truly shapes horse behavior and partnership—beyond technique, ribbons, and perfect distances. Ellen shares her experience working in high-level competition barns, internationally as an exercise rider, and behind the scenes as a groom—where she witnessed firsthand how pressure, ego, and performance culture impact horses’ nervous systems. Together, they discuss horse communication, emotional regulation, energy awareness, and why slowing down can actually accelerate learning. If you’ve ever felt like something was missing in your riding lessons, or you want to build a deeper, more ethical partnership with your horse, this episode will open your eyes. Plus: a simple experiment you can try this week to develop awareness and autonomy with your horse. Perfect for riders interested in: • Horse behavior and nervous system regulation • Ethical horse training and horsemanship • Improving riding through feel and energy awareness • Developing true horse–human partnership Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Find more about Tad Coffin's work at https://www.tadcoffinsaddles.com Email me at anna@equusenlightened.com Happy Riding!
	51. Why Horses Don’t Compete: Rethinking Leadership in Horse Training	26 Dec 2025	00:23:22
Do horses understand competition—or is “don’t let them win” a human projection? In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, Anna explores Leadership in Flow and why dominance-based ideas about leadership don’t align with how horses actually think and learn. Drawing from equine behavior science and real-world riding examples, this conversation challenges the myth that horses are trying to win or take control. Instead, horses respond to safety, comfort, clarity, and emotional steadiness—not power struggles. Inspired by Seed 7 of Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart, this episode invites riders to rethink leadership as shared direction rather than control, and to explore what becomes possible when leadership feels like. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	50. How Autonomy Builds Self-Carriage, Confidence, and Safer Horses	16 Dec 2025	00:40:10
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 environment How clear communication increases safety without domination How to build autonomy step-by-step from the ground into the saddle Why “advanced” movements are simply the basics, taught in thoughtful pieces and then brought together like a puzzle If 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.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	49. Creating Thinking Horses and Riders with Teresa Pilegaard	25 Nov 2025	01:15:58
In this episode, Anna sits down with biomechanics and adaptive riding instructor Teresa Pilegaard to explore how riders can move beyond the old obedience-based training model and build true partnership with their horses. Teresa shares insights on rider biomechanics, nervous system regulation, groundwork, and why so many riders get pushed past their experience level. Together, they break down how to create safer, more confident, and more connected rides by focusing on awareness, observation, and communication — not force. If you’ve ever struggled with fear, tension, or feeling “stuck” in your riding, this conversation will help you rethink your approach and reconnect with your horse on a deeper level. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Find Teresa Pilegaard, Dorato Performance Horse, and North Star Stables NOVA https://doratoperformancehorses.com/ Join the Everyday Equestrian https://doratoperformancehorses.com/everyday-equestrian Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	48. Your goal is to make your basics better and better.	13 Nov 2025	00:42:50
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.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding
	47. Empathic Discipline: Holding Space Without Losing Yourself	30 Oct 2025	00:17:51
What if your horse doesn’t need a boss — but a calm, clear partner? In this episode, Anna explores Seed Two: Empathic Discipline and why real leadership isn’t about control. Drawing from her time as a 911 dispatcher and lessons inside her RRR cohort, she shares how to stay present with your horse without losing yourself in guilt, fear, or perfectionism. For riders ready to lead with clarity instead of pressure — this one’s for you. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Weekly challenge video: https://youtube.com/shorts/XcHtSc6VSig Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	46. The Quiet Sins of Good Riders: Awareness, Fear, and Forgiveness in the Saddle	06 Oct 2025	00:17:39
In this episode of The Thinking Horse & Rider Podcast, Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened explores the deeper layers of rider awareness — beyond reading your horse’s body language and into recognizing how our own fears, habits, and control patterns shape every ride. We talk about the quiet “sins” of good riders: the ways we unintentionally limit our horses’ freedom, the contradiction between our love of liberty and our need for control, and how to release judgment so true connection can grow. You’ll learn why awareness without judgment is the missing ingredient in modern horsemanship, how fear disguises itself as discipline, and why forgiveness — both for ourselves and our horses — is the foundation of trust. If you’ve ever felt like the joy that drew you to horses has been replaced by pressure or perfectionism, this conversation will remind you what’s been missing — and how to find it again. ✨ Mentioned in this episode: The psychology of control vs. freedom in riding How fear quietly shapes horse-human relationships Awareness as an act of love, not guilt Why judgment blocks learning and limits connection The Reconnect, Rebuild & Ride with Heart program — for riders ready to rediscover peace, presence, and partnership 💫 Ready to rebuild your connection? Join the next Reconnect, Rebuild & Ride with Heart cohort: https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-ride Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	45. Discover how awareness transforms the horse-rider partnership.	23 Sep 2025	00:23:53
Most horse-and-rider problems don’t begin in the arena — they begin the moment we overlook the subtle ways our horses are already communicating with us. In this episode, Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened introduces The Thinking Horse & Rider Podcast and explores how small shifts in awareness can transform your partnership. We’ll also talk about why boundaries matter, how to avoid both extremes (too soft vs. too rigid), and why true partnership lives in the middle space of communication and clarity. You’ll leave this episode with a simple awareness exercise you can try today — and an invitation to go deeper in the Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart cohort, where we’ll explore the 7 Seeds of Partnership together. Because being a thinking rider isn’t about over-analyzing — it’s about noticing what’s real in the moment, and meeting your horse there. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	44. Did My Horse Actually Do Evil on Purpose? + Big News for Listeners	11 Sep 2025	00:20:44
In this season finale of Come Ride With Me, host Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened answers a powerful listener question: “Did my horse actually do evil on purpose?” This episode is a must-listen for perfectionist riders who feel stuck, frustrated, or disconnected from their horse. Anna breaks down the truth behind so-called “bad” horse behavior using insights from equine neuroscience, nervous system responses, and the horse’s perspective—offering an empowering shift from blame to understanding. She also reflects on key takeaways from the Letting Go of Perfectionism season, and shares how perfectionism blocks the connection we truly crave with our horses. 💡 Then, big news: Come Ride With Me is transforming into 🎙️ The Thinking Horse and Rider —a new season and new name focused on strengthening the horse-human partnership through empathy, science, and lived experience. Finally, Anna introduces her new course, Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart, a practical, heart-led guide for riders who want more connection, softness, and clarity with the horse they already have. Whether you’ve ever questioned your horse’s behavior, your own reactions, or how to rebuild trust after disconnection—this episode is your bridge to a more compassionate, thinking approach to horsemanship. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	43. How to Stop Balancing on Your Horse’s Mouth	18 Aug 2025	00:08:06
Have you ever caught yourself grabbing the reins when you feel off balance? Maybe it’s not even conscious—you just realize later that your horse’s mouth became your safety net. Here’s the truth: if you’re balancing on your reins, you’re not riding with your seat. Ditch the reins for 5 minutes a day and improve your riding! Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	42. How to Stop Balancing on Your Horse’s Mouth and Start Riding with Feel	10 Aug 2025	00:26:17
Feeling unbalanced in the saddle? You might be relying on your hands instead of your seat—and your horse can feel it. In this episode of Come Ride With Me, host Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened busts common riding position myths like “heels down” and “shoulders back,” explains why gripping the reins destroys feel, and shares simple, proven exercises to improve your balance, coordination, and rhythm. Learn how to ride with a softer seat, even contact, and true harmony with your horse. Perfect for dressage riders, novice equestrians, and anyone ready to replace tension with feel. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	41. Why Your Horse Won’t Try Anymore	28 Jul 2025	00:26:26
Why Your Horse Won’t Try Anymore In this episode of Come Ride With Me, we’re flipping the script on rider perfectionism and taking a hard look at how our need to control every moment — in and out of the saddle — can shut down our horse’s ability to think, learn, and self-regulate. From micromanagement to mistake-shaming, we explore why so many domestic horses struggle with emotional resilience and how riders may unknowingly create defensive, shutdown, or “difficult” behaviors through pressure and overcorrection. You’ll learn: Why obedience isn’t the same as confidence How frustration and fear of punishment affect your horse’s brain What behavior science and equine neuroscience (including Dr. Steve Peters’ work) reveal about learning under pressure Simple ways to rebuild trust and offer your horse the space to think again If you’ve ever wondered why your horse seems hesitant, anxious, or like they’ve stopped trying altogether — this episode is for you. ✨ Let go of perfection. Reclaim your partnership. And make room for a curious, thinking horse again. 🎧 Listen now. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Join me at a live clinic in VA September 28, 2025 https://clinics.equusenlightened.net/s/clinic-participant-flow-lgop Happy Riding!
	40. How to start a conversation with your horse.	13 Jul 2025	00:30:58
Obedience might get a response—but real partnership comes from dialogue. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to have a conversation with your horse. Anna shares the origin story of her “3 Questions That Build Partnership”—softness, responsiveness, and alignment—and how they can transform the way you ride, train, and connect. You’ll hear a personal story about Gus, the amazing horse who taught Anna that doing everything “right” isn’t always enough. She also draws on her experience as a 911 dispatcher to explain why asking questions—not barking commands—is the key to getting the clearest, safest, most effective response from your horse. 🎧 Plus, you’ll get this week’s experiment: a guided reflection to help you explore one of the 3 Partnership Questions in your next ride. 📝 Download the free Conversation Starter Experiment journal page. 🎯 Take the Perfectionist Rider Quiz and get a bonus mini-series of calming, connection-based exercises. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage:Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the DressageNaturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened. You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen toall of them on YouTube. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	39. Control is just an illusion… so what do we do instead?	06 Jul 2025	00:15:33
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.com Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	38. The Illusion of Control in Dressage	29 Jun 2025	00:20:14
Why Force Fails and Feel Wins Control might feel like safety, but in the saddle, it’s often one of the little things holding you—and your horse—back. In this episode of Come Ride With Me, Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened unpacks the sneaky ways force shows up in riding (hint: it’s not just harsh bits or whips). We’ll explore how perfectionism drives us to override instead of ride with, and why force—even when it’s subtle—creates resistance and anxiety. Plus, you’ll get a feel-based riding experiment you can try today to shift from bracing into flow. Learn how to sync with your horse’s rhythm and soften the silent tension that’s blocking connection. Because when you trade control for curiosity, you unlock a whole new kind of ride. 🎧 Ready to let go and ride with feel? Hit play. 🔗 Take the “Perfectionist Rider” quiz at: https://link.equusenlightened.com/widget/quiz/gSHHFApTgfne26EonbkF Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	37. Embracing Imperfection in Dressage	14 Jun 2025	00:37:06
In this episode of Come Ride With Me, we’re throwing perfectionism out of the saddle and riding straight into the messy, beautiful truth: your horse doesn’t want you to be perfect—they want you to be present. Host Anna Fox explores how horses, in their natural state, model emotional regulation, alignment, and presence without judgment or pressure. We dive into why so much of the traditional horse world runs on outdated, fear-based systems—and how embracing imperfection can free both you and your horse. You’ll also get this week’s experiment: Make It Messy—a bold exercise in letting go of compensation patterns and learning to feel crookedness before you fix it. Whether you’re stuck in “shoulds,” burnt out from over-trying, or just ready to feel more you in the saddle, this episode invites you to drop the pressure and reconnect with what riding was always meant to be: a relationship. 🧠 Listen in and let the mess be the message. 🐴 Then head back to Season 1 for deeper insights into leading, following, and building the freely forward horse. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	36. The Harder You Try, the Slower It Gets	06 Jun 2025	00:24:38
Why forcing the perfect response from your horse might be the very thing holding you both back. Ever feel like the harder you try to ride correctly, the more your horse resists—or delays their response altogether? In this episode of Come Ride With Me, we’re digging into the learning science behind latency—that hidden gap between cue and response—and how perfectionism in the saddle can actually slow your horse’s learning (and yours too). I’ll walk you through a simple experiment you can try today with your horse to test how your energy and intention affect timing, clarity, and flow. Spoiler alert: it’s not about riding less. It’s about trying less hard. 🎧 Ready to turn tension into timing magic? Let’s ride. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	35. The Slowness of Perfectionism: Why Trying Hard Can Hold You Back	23 May 2025	00:24:40
What do McDonald's and Smartphones have in common? Speed! Why does that matter? Speed is important in the learning process and as a perfectionist, your speed might be hurting you and your horse's learning curve. Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	34. Letting Go of Control: The Power of Passenger Riding	23 May 2025	00:13:31
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.com Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!
	33. Perfectionism in Equestrianism: The Hidden Barrier	22 May 2025	00:23:22
Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com Find 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/equusenlightened Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net Happy Riding!

À propos Méthodologie Contact Me soutenir Politique de confidentialité Mentions légales