The "Pareto Principle", also known as the 80/20 rule suggests that in many situations roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

In practical terms, mastering a critical subset of skills or focusing on key tasks can often yield a disproportionately large payoff. Therefore, identifying and honing that crucial 20% can lead to significant improvements in performance or results.

I use this principle to establish both what I focus on teaching people in regards to how to influence horses. But also what I focus my efforts establishing with horses.

This post is a call out to all the community builders out there.

The ones that bring the horse people together.

The ones that create great events and opportunities to practice, learn and hang out with people that love horses too.

The horse can take you on a special journey of personal growth, but going through this surrounded by people that support, understand and cheer you on is what gives it true meaning.

Nothing can be more of a call for adventure and ordeal than the difficult horse that can come into your life.

If you refuse and move them on, guaranteed the horse gods will send you a similar horse not letting you avoid the challenge.

I believe this is really what sits at the heart of what is so special about horses. They take you on the hero's journey. They change you in profound ways and can be transformative in your life. They can help you find your allies, grow your skills, your resilience and makes you wise.

It is the love of the horse and the journey they take you on, that can prepare you and makes you strong in the face of the other adventures and ordeals that life throws at you ❤

Maggie is a mare that herd dynamic expert Kerry Thomas labels as being a "15%-er", the small group of horses that have extraordinary herd dynamic profiles that allow them to be independent in their ability to process their environments. These horses are the "unicorns" you all wish to have. They handle the world and stress every effectively.

Devastatingly Maggie had been diagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome. Told not to ride her again, Naomi had to watch as her unicorn deteriorated in the paddock becoming more and more sensory unsound and distressed. The main leg impacted by the neurological issue was her right hind. After doing some research Naomi started working Maggie in hand, building new pathways and connections in her body. Maggie not only stopped deteriorating and improved to a point that Naomi is riding her and she is flourishing.

This is my most shared post.

It is also some of the most meaningful words I have written because it is about a very special horse that had tremendous significance in my life.

This is why it most likely resonates with so many people because it comes from such a deep place within my soul.

It is also one of the most plagiarised of all my posts. In fact, most of the shares have had the photograph of Skuda removed as well as my name. This is because my words have been copied and my post not shared.

Most people get that is actually not legal to do that. It breaches copyright. Even if you copy it and include my name, it is still a breach because you have copied the whole thing without my permission. When you produce content for social media, you have to understand what you can and cannot do. You need to respect the creative work of others.

This week I finished studying this very cool course put together by The Bit Fitter on Bitting and Bridle Fitting - Essentials for Horse Owners https://thebitfitter.com/bitting-and-bridle-foundations/

I already knew a lot about this but I learnt something really relevant and interesting on each slide.

Considering I rate 80% of most horse carry a decent level of worry about the bit, I cannot recommend this course enough.

Not only that - bridles!! It is so easy to accident have a bridle that doesn't fit well and this again is just unnecessary discomfort you can immediately remove from the horse's worry cup purely by getting something as simple as a new browband!!😱

The New Horse Ordeal – The Stress of Moving Homes🤯

So, you go and find yourself the perfect horse and spend a lot of money.

You bring the horse home, or it arrives on a transport truck, and then your nightmare begins…

The perfect, easy-going horse is now hard to catch, difficult to lead, impossible to ride. It's freaked out by the world and suffers the worst case of separation anxiety you have ever seen!

In the last 8 years, nothing has stopped me in my tracks like the work of Kerry M Thomas and his insight and theory of herd dynamics. For all of 5 seconds, I almost disregarded Kerry as I thought I knew lots about the concept of herd dynamics. I could rattle off all the theories and controversies of herds and their structures...but then Kerry took me to another level. Kerry wasn't about structure so much - he was way deeper than that. He was fascinated by what connected horse to horse and horse to environment. Kerry pointed out something so insanely relevant - the horse is a herd animal, that outsources to each other, processing and interpreting the world together. Knitted together by the efficiencies of their sensory systems. Those less efficient being more vulnerable and exposed without the herd structure.

Some of the most stuck people I meet are those who cannot let go of who they were and accept where they are now.

They were brave riders, able to ride anything, even doing track work.....

They have an identity that is deeply connected to being a talented equestrian, not someone who is struggling with a horse, feeling lost and vulnerable when they ride.

And it is this identity crisis that can be the biggest roadblock to accepting the current situation they find themselves in.

Shelley discusses the challenges she faces promoting her resources on social media, suspecting platforms identify her posts as "advertising" and that people tend to avoid content resembling ads. She emphasizes her dedication to helping horse enthusiasts, providing them with a deeper understanding of their interactions with horses and enhancing their skills. She offers various resources:

Book: "Confidence & Trust - solving the horse + human equation" - Guides readers on building trust with horses and the principles behind her method.

Course: "Things to Know About Horses" - Brief presentations highlighting fundamental knowledge about horses.

Course: "Masterclass in How to Round Pen a Horse" - Teaches the art of round penning without fear or force.

Course: "Masterclass in How to Groundwork a Horse" - A simple groundwork program focusing on effective exercises.

Course: "Building a Riding Foundation on a Horse" - Transitioning skills from groundwork to riding.

Course: "Foundation of Contact & Connection" - Tackling horse tension from bit communication.

Podcast: "Canter Therapy Podcast" - Shelley and co-host Kathryn Christieson discuss equine topics and insights.

Subscription: "Calm Willing Confident Horse Society" - Offers a supportive community, videos, events, and more.

Shelley offers private and online coaching to those enrolled in her courses, emphasizing the value of self-learning before personalized guidance. Highlighting her unique approach, she combines her knack for developing expertise in people with her horse knowledge, aiming to empower individuals in their journey with horses.

For questions, reach out at admin@calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au.

📣 Attention, equestrians! Dr Shelley Appleton, will be bringing her unique way of understanding and working with horses toGloucester, New South Wales. The insightful clinic will be held on 29-30 September 2023! Join us at the lovely Balanced Dressage, 775 Minimbah Road, MINIMBAH NSW 2312, for a weekend that will change the way you interact with horses forever.

One of our recent participants had this to say: "I've been to many clinics, subscribed to all the big names... but Shelley, you stand head and shoulders above the rest. You didn't just improve my horse, you improved ME!" 💬

Shelley's approach is simple yet powerful: Understanding your horse is the key to influencing them effectively. You don't have to be strong or brave – just learn to pay attention to how they feel and understand them deeply. 🐎

Wondering what to expect? A week before the event, you'll get started with an online pre-clinic course. Then, you'll join a pre-clinic Zoom meeting with all participants. During the two-day clinic, you'll work in small groups, engage in thoughtful discussions, and participate in a mix of groundwork and ridden work. 🎓

If you've worked with Shelley before, you'll pick up right where you left off. Newcomers will get a taste of her transformative methods. You'll learn how ground work translates to ridden work, strategies to enhance your horse’s focus and confidence, and ways to address challenges both on the ground and in the saddle. 📚

Clinic spots range from 'Participant with Horse' ($430), 'Participant without Horse' ($225). Both types of participants will have access to the online course and pre and post-clinic Zoom calls. Costs cover daily ground fees and day yards (for information about camping and overnight yards see information further on). 🏇 Fence sitters ($120) are limited to those that are associated with the participants. Shelley’s clinics are focused on the participants and are intentionally small group events to maximise learning.

Please contact Anke from Balance Dressage at 0408 882 730 to book and pay for camping. Camping is only self contained, there is no shower facilities. Only power and a portaloo. There are two yards with shelters ($25 per night) and yards without a shelter ($20 per night). The closest hotel is in Nabiac.

Remember, full payment for the clinic must be made a month prior to the event.

Come join us for a life-changing experience and let's build stronger, more meaningful connections with our horses together! 🤝 For more info, visit (www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au/clinics).

See you in Gloucester!

I am heading up to Biddaddaba, Queensland for a clinic on the 15-16 September 2023 at Que Sera Farm, 611 Biddaddaba Creek Rd, Biddaddaba QLD 4275.

This is common feedback from those that have attended my clinics or worked with me remotely through my courses:

"I have spent a fortune on clinics and subscriptions to all the big name people out there. I had some success with their advice but then I found you. You are. head and shoulders above the rest. No one has helped me see things like you do and improved not just my horse but ME!"

I have an insightful and simple process that changes horses and gives you a sense of incompetence and confidence with your horse. 

You don't have to be brave or strong to work well with horses - you just have to understand them to effectively influence them. o be brave or strong to work well with horses - you just have to understand them to effectively influence them influence them.

I am heading back to Adelaide, South Australia for a clinic on the 17-18 October 2023. The clinic is being held at the Pottery Road Indoor Arena Pottery Rd, Dingabledinga, SA, 5172.

This is common feedback from those that have attended my clinics or worked with me remotely through my courses:

"I have been working with Freddie each day and cannot believe the horse I have now from how I was feeling about him last week. My mind is seriously blown. I feel so much more confident and better equipped to influence and help him. Thank you!”

You don't have to be brave or strong to work well with horses - you just have to understand them to effectively influence them.

I am heading over to Ballan, Victoria for a clinic on the 7-8 July 2023. The clinic is being held at the Freedom & Motion Equine Park 1956 A Ballan-Meredith Rd, Mount Wallace VIC 3342.

This is common feedback from those that have attended my clinics or worked with me remotely through my courses:

"I have been working with Freddie each day and cannot believe the horse I have now from how I was feeling about him last week. My mind is seriously blown. I feel so much more confident and better equipped to influence and help him. Thank you!”

You don't have to be brave or strong to work well with horses - you just have to understand them to effectively influence them.

I am heading over to the Gippsland region Victoria for a 3 day clinic. The clinic is held at the Cottonwood Grove Stables, 50 Frouds Road, Giffard West Victoria 3851.

I have an insightful and simple process that changes horses and gives you a sense of incompetence and confidence with your horse.

You don't have to be brave or strong to work well with horses - you just have to understand them to effectively influence them.

I am heading over to Hobart, Tasmania for a clinic on the 30 June to 1 July 2023 at Coal Valley Equestrian Centre, 799 Richmond Rd, Cambridge TAS 7170.

This is common feedback from those that have attended my clinics or worked with me remotely through my courses:

"I have spent a fortune on clinics and subscriptions to all the big name people out there. I had some success with their advice but then I found you. You are. head and shoulders above the rest. No one has helped me see things like you do and improved not just my horse but ME!"

I have an insightful and simple process that changes horses and gives you a sense of incompetence and confidence with your horse. 

You don't have to be brave or strong to work well with horses - you just have to understand them to effectively influence them influence them.

Kerry Thomas from THT Bloodstock returns to Australia in November 2023 and is teaming up with Dr Shelley Appleton to present a Applied Sensory Soundness Seminar - “how the operating system runs the machine”.

The seminar will be held in three locations in Australia - Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Tickets on sale now!

Dr Shelley Appleton is travelling to Western Australian in April 2023.

Perth 7 & 8 April

Albany 13 & 14 April

Dryandra 16 & 17 April

Perth 21 & 22 April

You can't train a horse by thinking of it as a checklist. However, you can develop a greater appreciation of communicating, influencing and supporting your horse by working through one...especially this one that I have created.

Most people are struggling with their horse because they keep hitting conflict.

Conflict caused by the horse being confused, unmotivated, uncomfortable or not confident.

My Checklist of Exercises has two dimensions to it. Exercises that start simple and progressively get more complicated and an appreciation of the environment you expect your horse to perform.

Therefore, it appreciates that allowing the horse to get confident at understanding and navigating an exercise is important before making things more complicated. Plus, it allows you to appreciate that you need to prepare the horse for more challenging environments.

It allows you to gain an appreciation that thinking you can own a horse and just ride it once a week out on a trail ride is actually a high expectation and not a low expectation of them.

However, working through the checklist and building your skills and understanding of your horse sets you and them up to go out and enjoy those trail rides!

Join the Building and Confidence Trust Challenge running from the 22 January - 5 February 2023.