Horses are simple (and I am pragmatist)!
Image: Archie happy to watch as the human gets groundwork!
Horses are SIMPLE.
And SIMPLE is spectacular and beautiful—but we struggle to embrace that simplicity.
Why is it so hard?
Because we are complex creatures, with minds full of complicated ideas, beliefs, and perceptions.
Both humans and horses have evolved with their own superpowers of survival. Humans rely on our ability to think, adapt, and invent to navigate the world. Horses, on the other hand, have an incredible capacity to extract energy from plant fibre, paired with superior speed and athleticism. Horses don’t need our complex thoughts to survive, and we often fail to appreciate the beauty of their simplicity.
In modern times, particularly with the influence of social media, there’s been a surge in applying human-centric concepts—such as emotions, trauma, cognitive science, and neuroscience etc.—to horses. While these ideas may feel insightful, they can often do more harm than good if misunderstood or misapplied.
I’m fortunate to have a background in science and research, which gives me the tools to critically assess these ideas. I don’t rely on the authority of the person presenting the concept—I rely on evidence, my own understanding, and hands-on experience to determine whether an idea is valid or beneficial for horses.
This scientific literacy allows me to evaluate whether overlapping a human insight or theory with horses is a fair and accurate approach—or if it’s just oversimplified nonsense wrapped up as wisdom.
Working with horses and people directly has given me invaluable insights. I’ve witnessed first-hand what happens when certain ideas are tested in real-world situations.
Take, for example, an idea that circulated a couple of years ago: you could get a horse’s attention by making a loud noise (such as a clap) and retreating when they “faced up” to you. The concept suggested that this process would establish focus and connection.
In practice, this idea seemed to work well with about 70% of horses, provided it was paired with movement, such as asking the horse to move around a round yard. However, the remaining 30% responded very differently. These horses escalated, becoming defensive or even aggressive, pinning their ears and advancing towards the handler when an attempt was made to progress from facing up.
Why? Because without nuance, this method ignored the individual horse’s interpretation of the noise and retreat. Horses inclined towards a “fight” response (for various reasons) or those conditioned to push against people were prone to react negatively.
Thanks to my experience, I recognised the flaws in this approach and adjusted it. I now use noise selectively, understanding how, when, and where it can be beneficial. But for others without the same depth of experience, this method resulted in injuries, stressed horses and stalled progress.
I’m not here to complicate things. My goal is to simplify horse handling and riding in a way that builds your confidence and strengthens your relationship with your horse. Trust begins with mastering the basics—simple handling and rope skills that allow you to reliably influence your horse.
I’m not interested in impressing you with how much I know. The truth is having you stuck to your seats, entertained with my stories and insights whilst your horses stand outside in yards is an easy way to make money for a clinician. Instead, I want you to discover how simple, practical techniques—applied consistently—can have a profound impact on your horse. My ultimate aim is to get you riding and enjoying all the incredible experiences the equestrian world has to offer.
When you attend one of my clinics, we focus on hands-on learning with horses. Yes, there’s important insights I need you to be aware of, but I provide that in a course you can access before the clinic—auditors included! This way, our time together is maximised for practical, real-world application.
I know my travel is limited, and I can only visit some communities in Australia once or twice a year. That’s why I ensure every clinic is a supercharged learning experience that delivers a good return on your investment! Clinics are expensive!
Horses are simple. And their simplicity is their beauty. By cutting through the noise of overcomplication and focusing on pragmatic, evidence-based approaches, we can create meaningful, lasting partnerships with our horses.
If you live in Australia, see if I have a clinic near you or one you can travel to so I can show you my pragmatic approach that improves your performance, overcomes problems or identifies what is interfering with progression.
My clinic schedule is now released with both participant spots to come along with their horse, but also auditors that can and watch. My clinics are small events and therefore bookings are limited. Click the button below to go to my booking schedule.
