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Jan 11 •
📜 Community Rules — The Happy Horse and Rider Lab
These rules exist to protect the learning space, not to police people. 1️⃣ Lead with Curiosity Share experiences, observations, and questions—not ultimatums. Instead of: “You should just…” Try: “What’s worked for me…” “Have you considered…” “I’m curious what happens if…” 2️⃣ Horse-First, Always Advice should consider: - The horse’s physical comfort - Emotional state - Learning history If a suggestion prioritizes control over understanding, it doesn’t belong here. 3️⃣ No Discipline or Method Shaming All disciplines and backgrounds are welcome. This is not a place to: - Dismiss others based on discipline - Promote superiority of one system - Mock “less advanced” questions We learn across disciplines here. 4️⃣ Behavior Is Information We don’t label horses as: - Stubborn - Lazy - Dominant - Bad Describe what you see and what’s happening, not what you assume. 5️⃣ Debate Ideas, Not People Disagreement is okay. Disrespect is not. - No personal attacks - No sarcasm aimed at individuals - No “gotcha” replies If a conversation stops being productive, moderators may step in. 6️⃣ No Fear-Based or Punitive Advice Advice rooted in: - Intimidation - Flooding - Escalation for compliance - “Make them learn” thinking …will be removed. Discussion about these approaches is welcome. Promotion of them is not. 7️⃣ This Is Not a Marketplace - No unsolicited promotions - No DMing members to sell services - No affiliate links without permission If you have something valuable to share, ask first. 8️⃣ Protect Psychological Safety - No diagnosing horses or humans - No shaming emotional responses - No minimizing someone’s experience Growth happens best in safety. 9️⃣ Stay Engaged, Stay Kind If you post a question: - Be open to feedback - Stay involved in the discussion - Remember: learning is collaborative 🔟 Moderator Discretion To maintain the integrity of this space: - Posts may be edited or removed - Repeat violations may result in removal
Pinned
Jan 11 •
📌 Welcome to The Happy Horse and Rider Lab
Before you dive in, take a minute to read this. This post sets the tone for how we learn, share, and show up here. ✅ This IS a place for: - People who care deeply about their horses’ physical and emotional well-being - Riders of any discipline, level, age, or background - Curiosity, reflection, and thoughtful conversation - Asking why, not just how - Learning skills and mindset together - Seeing behavior as information, not defiance - Open-minded discussion, experimentation, and shared learning - Riders who are willing to keep evolving—even when it’s uncomfortable You don’t need to have all the answers here. You just need to be willing to ask better questions. 🚫 This is NOT a place for: - Discipline shaming or “my way is the only way” thinking - Dominance, intimidation, or fear-based training advice - Quick fixes that ignore the horse’s experience - Ego-driven hierarchy (titles matter less than curiosity here) - Arguments meant to win instead of understand - Rigid tradition for tradition’s sake We can talk about any approach— but we do it through inquiry, respect, and the lens of the horse. 🧠 How to Get the Most Out of This Lab - Read posts with curiosity before reacting - Share experiences, not ultimatums - Ask questions that open dialogue - Assume good intent—from humans and horses alike - Remember: learning is a process, not a performance This is a lab, not a courtroom. We’re here to explore, test, and learn—together. If this resonates, you’re in the right place. If it challenges you a little… you’re still in the right place. Welcome 💙
1d •
I'm live if you have questions!
While I wait, I'm pondering my session today with @Peggy Hoyt. I told her about one of my theories that people often assume that fast horses think fast and that slow horses think slow. I beg to differ. I'm curious that fast horses may actually be faster to react because they process slower. And....if they don't have a lot of patient repetitions behind them (aka humans have always rushed them) they are predicting a negative experience so they are just going to go ahead and react to it. A slower horse may actually be processing information faster. They don't see as many things as a threat. Sometimes in training these horses you actually have to pick up the pace to get them a bit sharp and reactive. Do you think this might be true for humans too?
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1d •
Ten-Minute Tuesday: What's Your Mission?
We usually have a plan for our horse. I tell people to have a plan but I also tell them about the best piece of childbirth advice I was ever given - be prepared to change it. Always have a plan but have the situational awareness to know when to adapt. This week's episode of the podcast is still in editing and the guest is a little non-traditional for TTHR but he actually fit in perfectly with my mission 😁 Adam Trenk kept coming back to one thing that was surprisingly simple and I love simple! **********Know what you’re trying to accomplish before you start.*************** When he chooses a saddle, he starts with the mission. Is he starting a young horse? Going on a long trail ride? Roping? Working with an experienced horse who already knows the job? The right equipment, the right expectations, and even the amount of time and pressure he uses change depending on the answer. And yet, how often do we walk into the barn already running the same program we ran yesterday? So this week, spend 10 minutes before you start training or riding and ask: ***********************What is today’s actual mission?*********************** Not your long-term goal. Not what your trainer says you should eventually accomplish. Not what you planned three days ago. What does this horse, on this day, in this moment need? Then notice: - How does your horse seem physically and emotionally today? - Does the equipment you're using make sense for what you're asking? - Are you preparing for the horse in front of you—or the horse you expected to have? - What would count as one small win today? - What's the least amount of pressure you could use to get there? Give yourself permission to change the mission. Maybe today isn't the day you finally nail that transition. Maybe today's win is relaxation. Maybe it's standing quietly at the mounting block. Maybe it's discovering that the saddle, exercise, environment, or expectation you planned isn't the right tool for today's job. Adam called it situational awareness.
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2d •
Horse Brain Science Simplified - waiting for my new book
Recently purchased Dr. Stephen Peters new book, Horse Brain Science Simplified. Just out October 1, 2026. Karen Rolf did a great interview with him. Can't wait to dig in.
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