Institute for Advanced Equine Studies

About: Few things are more fascinating than unraveling the mysteries within the mind of the horse. Laced through the intricacies of the herd-wired psychology are both strength and vulnerability. It is within this binding fabric of herd dynamics where the idiosyncrasies of sensory soundness are revealed. All the horse was, is, and can become is defined by the operating system, running the machine. Welcome to an educational journey like no other, where you’ll gain hands-on learning through real-life case studies. In this series, I will guide you through both the strengths and vulnerabilities of various horses, from the common and familiar to the uncommon and perplexing. Each case will provide detailed video analysis and training insights, offering you a comprehensive view of equine psychology and behavior. These are real cases with real stories, raw and unscripted encompassing a range of needs, disciplines and horses. From elite-level athletes seeking their full potential to learning relationship skills that help the horses we love realize harmony within their environment, and contentment with their peers. Each moment will unfold in an impromptu environment, combing video footage, verbal instruction and written analysis to offer the student a unique opportunity for learning and discovery. You’ll share in the journey as I evaluate, coach, and work to create psychologically enriching, interactive processes between horse and rider. With every new case that comes across my desk my first step forward is speaking with the person or persons directly involved, letting them share with me their ‘about this horse’ personal narratives. This is an essential part of my process regardless of the case. Sensitive to human emotion, horses are often a reflection of their environment. I need to hear and feel the perspective of the human story before I begin to interview the horse itself. Why is this so important? It comes down to the synergy of communication. How we as humans communicate our intentions to the horse must follow how the horse communicates with the world around them. No relationship can be strengthened without this cooperation; we must be the bridge not the block. With this unique opportunity you may well find yourself to be at once a student and instructor, applying what you’re learning to your own daily experiences. From subtle nuances to profound breakthroughs, you will journey through the mind of the horse and discover ways of unlocking your horse’s potential while unlocking the potential within yourself. Horsemanship is not itself a physical action, it is the pursuit of knowledge measured by the thoughtfulness of the acts that follow. When you have a pure and sincere love for horses, your pursuit of that knowledge and desire for personal growth is limited only by the freedom you allow yourself, in the pursuit of them. This unique course complements the efforts in that pursuit.