Ride in Harmony. Rise to Performance. Where biomechanics and horsemanship meet to develop confident competitors and responsive performance horses. Training that builds balance, trust, and readiness.

At Ride & Rise Horsemanship, we combine biomechanics, feel, and proven performance principles to develop horses and riders with clarity, balance, and purpose. Our programs build soft, athletic, adjustable horses — and riders who move with confidence and body awareness, supported by yoga-inspired rider fitness. Whether you’re stepping into competition or refining your horse’s foundation, we’re here to guide you with structured, results-driven training.

My Services
Online programs coming soon!

Australia greatest horsewoman 2024

Horse Training Services At Ride & Rise Horsemanship.

We work with horses at every stage — from their very first rides to fine-tuning performance for the show pen or trail. Our training blends biomechanics and true horsemanship, ensuring your horse develops balance, softness, and confidence for a lifetime of soundness and success.

We specialise in:

Horse Starting – Giving young horses the best possible foundation for a calm, confident future.
Rehabilitation Training – Helping horses return to work after injury, tension, or poor past experiences.
Performance Training – Developing and refining skills for western disciplines such as cutting, ranch trail, and obstacle challenges.

We work with a long-term partnership mindset, meaning our goal isn’t just to “fix” a horse, but to set both horse and rider up for lasting progress and harmony.

(Coming soon — online training options to support your journey wherever you are.)

Yoga-Inspired Rider Fitness

Move with purpose. Ride with harmony.

Your horse feels everything — from the way you breathe to the way you balance in the saddle. That’s why your body is just as much a part of your training as your horse’s.

My yoga-inspired rider fitness classes are designed to help you:

Build functional strength for a stable, supportive seat.
Improve mobility so you can follow your horse’s movement without restriction.
Enhance balance and coordination for clearer, softer aids.
Develop body awareness to ride with more feel, timing, and connection.

These aren’t “just workouts” — they’re carefully tailored sessions blending yoga principles, rider biomechanics, and functional movement. Every exercise is chosen with the rider in mind, so you strengthen exactly what matters in the saddle and release what gets in your way.

Whether you’re preparing for competition, wanting to ride with more ease, or simply aiming to feel better in your body, these online classes meet you where you are and help you rise to your next level.

Your horse works hard for you — give them the gift of a rider who moves with grace, stability, and awareness.

Join the ride. Begin your yoga-inspired rider fitness journey today.

Join our online Training

Obstacle Training & Trail Riding

Confidence starts before you hit the trail.

Trail riding should be a time to relax and enjoy your horse — not worry about what might go wrong. Obstacle training is where we prepare both horse and rider for the unexpected: rustling bushes, moving water, narrow bridges, sudden noises.

By introducing challenges in a safe, controlled environment, we:

Build your horse’s confidence and curiosity.
Teach you how to communicate clearly under pressure.
Strengthen the trust and partnership that make riding out enjoyable.

Preparation isn’t about eliminating every surprise — it’s about giving you and your horse the skills to handle whatever the trail brings, together.

Train for it now, so you can enjoy it later.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Zoe Rathbone

Ride and Rise horsemanship is by far the best horse trainer i’ve ever gotten to work with so far. From the complete basics with ground work to advanced riding skills Jade completely tailors your lessons to match you and your horses needs. She doesn’t only teach your horse but also you so you are able to put your learning in action with many different horses. She is patient, friendly and completely in your corner in wanting the best for you and your horse. She explains things in many ways so that you have clear instructions and Jades ability to read and understand what your horse needs is sensational. The progress we have made in the past 4 months is unrecognisable in all aspects. I’ve also never felt so connected with my horses outside of their training with their true personalities really shining through now we have built the bond that Jade has assisted with. Could not recommend Jade more!! Thank you Ride and Rise horsemanship

Jo Lawley

Jade has done an amazing job helping Sienna to move freely forward with softness over the past few months. Sienna is almost 19 and had alot of time off over the past 2 1/2 years. She has historically been a very stiff horse who was difficult to keep forward. After watching and admiring Jades calm nature training other Horses I knew she was the perfect person to help us. Jade has a wealth of knowledge & experience and would highly recommend her to anyone needing help at any level, Siennas softness and willingness to travel forward in our first ride is testament to Jades ability to help horses find their balance and confidence in what we ask of them.

I'm excited to see how much more Sienna improves in strength and suppleness as we continue to work with Jade.

Emma Carr

Jade at Rise & Ride horsemanship has taken me from thinking I’m never going to ride my horse again, to confidently working with her on the ground conveying clear communication.

Jade has had to retrain me to train my horse, Clover which is not an easy task when there are so many old habits to retrain.

We now have clear communication which has improved our relationship.

Jade is very clear with instruction which has made a huge difference in my horse and my own confidence. Jade is passionate and knowledgeable and is always there to help and giving her time generously.

I am now back riding building my confidence in the saddle. Looking forward to future adventures.

I highly recommend Ride & Rise horsemanship to anyone what ever level of riding.

THANK YOU JADE !!!

Hemp Oil for Horses

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hemp oil can help:

Reduce inflammation to support joints and muscles.
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Encourage a calm mindset for training, travel, and competition.

Whether your horse is a seasoned competitor or a beloved paddock companion, adding hemp oil to their diet can be an easy step toward improved comfort, vitality, and overall health.

🌿 Exclusive offer: Use my discount code JADE5 at checkout to save on your orders.

Give your horse the natural boost they deserve — and see the difference for yourself.

Order now and feel good about what you’re feeding your horse.

The Hemp Shack - Discount !!!!

One of my favourite parts about training horses is this stage right here.

The part where the changes start to happen —
often felt before they’re seen.

The horse starts to breathe differently.
The body softens a little sooner.
The reactions get quieter.
And most importantly… the try comes back.

Training is rarely a straight line.
It’s an up and down cycle — moments of tension, moments of ease, steps forward and steps back.
But over time, those ups and downs get smaller and smaller.

That’s how you know you’re on the right track.

Progress doesn’t always look flashy.
Sometimes it looks like a horse offering try again — and that’s everything.

This is the journey I love being part of.
Helping horses feel safe enough in their bodies to show up and try.

#HorseTrainingJourney #BuildingConfidence
#ThoughtfulHorsemanship #BetterMovingHorses
#HorseOwners
🐴✨

Moose is working in hand up and down a small hill, with the dorsal (topline) and ventral (underline) lines drawn on to highlight how his body is organising itself through movement.

He’s a little on the fat side at the moment after some time off — and that actually makes this phase of work even more important.

What I’m watching here 👇
• How the ventral line engages to support posture
• Whether the dorsal line can lengthen and stay elastic, rather than brace
• How balance changes as the ground inclines and declines

Hill work in hand is a smart way to reintroduce:
✔️ Core and postural strength
✔️ Hindquarter engagement
✔️ Coordination and body awareness
✔️ Gradual tissue loading without speed or force

Extra condition doesn’t mean we rush or avoid work — it means we’re intentional about how we rebuild. Walking hills allows muscles, fascia, and the nervous system to adapt before intensity increases.

Weight will change.
Movement quality is what sets the foundation.

#EquineBiomechanics
#InHandWork
#SoundnessMatters
#CorrectConditioning
#EquinePosture

Stretching isn’t about forcing a leg — it’s about how the body responds.

In this video I’m:
• Bringing the hind leg forward to encourage mobility and suppleness the hip, stifle and hamstring muscles.
• Stretching the hind leg back to support elasticity through the topline and fascial system
• Lifting the front leg forward and up to help release tension around the shoulder and chest
When done slowly, within the horse’s comfort.

These stretches can:
✔ Improve range of motion
✔ Encourage fascial elasticity
✔ Help the horse feel freer before or between rides

This isn’t a quick fix and it’s not a replacement for good training — it’s part of a bigger picture that looks at how the horse’s body is coping with its workload.

I include this kind of body awareness work alongside in-hand and ridden training, because how a horse moves matters just as much as what we ask them to do.

📍 Available for in-person training
Feel free to DM me if you’d like help getting your horse to move and feel better!

#HorseOwners #HorsemanshipLife #EquineEducation #HorseCareRoutine
#HorsePeople

This session wasn’t about *making her trot* —
it was about helping her feel safe and balanced enough to continue.

When she spooked and ran off, I didn’t punish it or push her forward through tension.
I asked for a one rein stop and Hindquarter yield. softened her body, and waited until her brace released before moving on.

Same thing when she got bracey in the trot — we didn’t ignore it.
We addressed the loss of balance, rolled the hindquarters, found softness… then carried on.

This is where so many riders get stuck:
👉 They keep riding forward hoping the tension disappears
👉 Or they stop completely and lose progress

Real training lives in the middle —
acknowledging the brace, changing the body, then continuing calmly.

If your horse feels tense, reactive, or inconsistent under saddle,
it’s rarely about “more pressure” — it’s about better timing and better balance.

If this looks familiar, send me a DM.
I work with horse *and* rider together so these moments become learning, not stress.

🐴✨

#horstraining
#younghorsedevelopment
#calmconfidenthorses
#balancedhorse
#horseriderconnection

What we build now shows up later.

Strong bodies, calm minds, and training that respects how horses develop.

If you’re bringing a horse into work next year, this matters.

What’s one thing you’re focusing on with your horse in 2026? 👇

#HorseTrainingTips
#PerformanceHorse
#YoungHorseDevelopment
#EquestrianEducation
#HorseTrainingJourney

#equestrianlife #horserider #horsemanshipjourney #balancedhorse

Yes, the bend matters — but how the horse finds it matters just as much.

In this reel I’m riding a dynamic bend exercise, and this mare highlights a really common pattern I see:
she can create the shape of the bend, but initially does it by
• bracing through the shoulders
• holding tension high in the neck
• avoiding true engagement of the inside hind

So rather than asking for more bend, I keep adjusting her body until the bend is created through softness, not compensation.
What I’m waiting for:
✔️ the shoulders to stay free instead of blocking
✔️ the ribcage to yield laterally
✔️ the inside hind to step under and accept load
✔️ the neck to stay supple.

From a biomechanics perspective
A correct dynamic bend:
• allows better distribution of load through the whole body
• reduces overuse of the forehand and shoulder structures
• supports improved balance and postural control
• encourages coordination between the trunk and hindquarters

From a fascia perspective
When the horse stops bracing and begins to yield:
• lateral fascial tissues can move more freely
• restriction patterns through the neck–shoulder–ribcage chain are reduced
• elastic recoil and movement efficiency are supported

The goal isn’t chasing a position.
The goal is guiding the horse into a way of moving that is adaptable, balanced, and sustainable.

Bend is a tool — how the horse arrives there is the real training.

#HorseTraining
#EquestrianLife
#HorseRider
#Horsemanship
#EquineEducation

Riders talk a lot about hands, seat, and core…
but rarely about the feet.

Yet your feet are where every aid begins. 🦶🐎

If the feet are weak, stiff, or disconnected, the fascia system can’t transfer force efficiently — and that shows up as instability, gripping, or fatigue in the saddle.

Here are 3 simple foot exercises that directly improve rider balance and fascial function 👇

1️⃣ Short Foot (Arch Lift)

Barefoot, gently lift the arch by drawing the ball of the foot toward the heel — no toe curling.

🔹 Rider benefit:
Creates a more stable base through the stirrup, allowing the leg to stay long and relaxed instead of braced.

🔹 Fascia benefit:
Supports the plantar fascia so it can act like a spring, absorbing and returning energy rather than breaking down under load.

2️⃣ Toe Yoga

Big toe up, others down — then switch.

🔹 Rider benefit:
Improves fine motor control and awareness through the foot, which translates to clearer, quieter leg aids.

🔹 Fascia benefit:
Encourages adaptability and coordination within the fascial web of the foot — essential for balance and responsiveness.

3️⃣ Slow Heel Raises

Rise slowly onto the balls of your feet, pause, then lower with control.

🔹 Rider benefit:
Builds endurance in the lower leg so you don’t lose stability as sessions get longer.

🔹 Fascia benefit:
Progressively loads the entire posterior fascial chain, improving resilience and shock absorption.

🧠 Biomechanics insight:
Fascia prefers slow, intentional loading — not force or tension.

A rider with strong, elastic feet can sit quieter, cue clearer, and move more in harmony with their horse.

Train the foundation.
Your horse will feel the difference.

Save this for later 👣
Comment “RIDER” if you want a full off-horse routine.

#RiderBiomechanics
#BetterRidersBetterHorses
#OffHorseTraining
#EquestrianEducation
#RideAndRisePerformance

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas 🎄 🥰

#HorseTrainerLife #StrongHumansStrongHorses #Horsemanship #HorseGirlHumour #PerformanceHorsemanship

Progress isn’t blocked by a lack of knowledge.
It’s blocked by a lack of absorption.

You can take all the lessons.
Watch all the videos.
Hear all the feedback.

But if the student isn’t willing to slow down, feel the change, and apply it consistently — nothing shifts.

A coach’s job is to guide.
A student’s job is to be open.

The riders who make the biggest breakthroughs aren’t chasing more information —

They’re building awareness and taking responsibility for their part in the process.

✨ Do you learn best by seeing, feeling, or doing?
Comment with one word 👇

#RideAndRisePerformance
#HorsemanshipMindset
#RiderAwareness
#TrainWithIntention
#HorseFirstTraining

Pretty sure he's more interested in the other horses galloping around in there paddock 😂

#RideAndRisePerformance
#HorseGirlGym
#StrongRiderStrongHorse
#EquestrianLife
#BiomechanicsButMakeItFun

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good time to shift the focus from goals on paper to the daily training decisions that influence how your horse moves and develops.

Instead of chasing lots of big goals, try this:
Set one clear outcome…
Then break it down into micro goals that guide your daily training.

💡 Example:
Big goal: A more balanced, stronger horse
Micro goals:
• better quality transitions
• improved posture in warm-up
• shorter, more focused sessions
• consistency over intensity

Why micro goals work:
✔️ They’re measurable
✔️ They respect biomechanics
✔️ They create sustainable change
✔️ They keep both horse and rider confident

Progress in horsemanship is rarely dramatic — but it is powerful when it’s built correctly.

As you plan for the year ahead, ask yourself:
What can I do better, not just more?

Strong horses are built through patience.
Skilled riders are built through awareness.
Great partnerships are built through consistency.

Train with intention.
Ride with feel.
Rise through the process.

#RideAndRisePerformance
#BiomechanicsBasedTraining
#IntentionalHorsemanship
#HorseAndRiderDevelopment
#TrainSmartNotHard

You only get one life.
Learn to listen before you demand.
Move with intention, not force.
Surround yourself with people who raise your standards.
Show up and do the work — daily.

#equestriancommunity
#horseinspiration
#trainingjourney
#smallbusinessowner

The result is easy to see.
The work behind it rarely is.

Good horses are created in the quiet rides — the days you slow down, reassess, and choose correctness over convenience. And they’re kept that way through consistency, care, and ongoing refinement.

The work never really stops.
That’s what makes it worth it.

Enjoy the journey ✨️

#HorseTrainingTips
#HorseRidersOfInstagram
#EquestrianLife
#HorsesOfInstagram
#RiderEducation
#BetterNotHarder
#EquestrianCommunity
#ConsciousRiding
#HorseTrainingJourney

If your horse feels heavy,crooked, slow to respond, or “ignores” your aids…
it may not be attitude.

It may be biomechanics.

A horse that can’t organise their body will protect it instead.
That protection shows up as:
• bracing through the neck or jaw
• falling in or out
• delayed transitions
• tension instead of try

Resistance is often the body saying “I don’t know how.”

When balance is missing, clarity disappears.
When posture improves, communication becomes quiet again.

Before you correct behaviour, ask:
👉 Can this body physically do what I’m asking?
👉 Am I organising movement or just adding pressure?

Softness isn’t created by stronger cues.
It’s created by better body alignment, timing, and release.

Train the body first.
The mind will follow.

#HorseBiomechanics #BetterNotHarder #SoftnessFirst
#HorseTrainingTips #RiderAwareness #CorrectBeforeCollect
#HorseDevelopment #BalancedHorse #FeelOverForce

Better balance in the saddle isn’t about sitting still —
it’s about controlling your body through movement.

This yoga-inspired flow trains the same system your horse feels when you ride:

• Core that stabilises without gripping
• Hips that stay level through transitions
• Balance that stays centred, not braced

High Lunge → Warrior III teaches your body how to:

✔ Stay stacked over your centre
✔ Control weight shifts smoothly
✔ Move without collapsing or tipping

Use this flow to slow your body down and organise it around your centre.
Move with control, not momentum.
If you wobble — that’s the work.
The goal isn’t to hold it perfectly,
it’s to stay soft, balanced, and aware while your body changes position.

Train your body off the horse 🐎 ✨️

#RiderBiomechanics
#BetterSeat
#BalancedRider
#HorseTrainingTips
#RideWithFeel
#EquestrianLife
#HorseRiderBalance
#MindfulRiding
#TrainTheRider
#PerformanceRider

Patterns aren’t about drilling shapes —
they’re about building better movement in both horse and rider.

1️⃣ Patterns create variety with purpose
Transitions, back-ups, changes of bend and direction all ask the horse to rebalance their body.
Each change encourages weight shift, core engagement, and joint mobility — not just forward motion.
You’re improving how the horse carries themselves, not just where they go.

2️⃣ Patterns test softness and “buttons” under pressure
It’s easy for a horse to feel good on a straight line.
Patterns reveal the truth.
Can your horse stay relaxed, responsive, and connected as the questions change?
Biomechanically, this shows how well they can organise their body while thinking — not bracing.

3️⃣ Patterns sharpen rider focus and body awareness
Riders get clearer with their intention, timing, and position.
Better focus = better posture = clearer signals.
When the rider moves with consistency, the horse can move with confidence.

Good biomechanics isn’t repetitive — it’s intentional.
Patterns are simply conversations that keep evolving.

#EquineBiomechanics #HorsemanshipWithPurpose #RiderBiomechanics
#SoftnessBeforeSpeed #BetterMovement #ThoughtfulTraining
#ConnectedRiding #HorseTrainingJourney #FeelOverForce
#BalancedHorse #TrainSmarter #BiomechanicsInMotion

Build awareness in your mind.
Build feel in your body.
Build softness in your horse.
Build the release they search for.
Biomechanics is simply the conversation between your body and theirs — clear, quiet, and consistent. When you refine your movement, you refine theirs.

#horsetraining #equestrianlife

Softness isn’t optional — it’s the foundation the whole horse learns from.

When a horse is soft through their body, they’re using the thinking brain: they can feel, follow, and make sense of your cues. That’s when true learning happens.

But when they’re braced?
Their body tightens, their posture collapses, and their mind shuts down. They’re not ignoring you — they physically can’t process what you’re asking.

That’s why I always build softness first.
Once the horse is mentally available and tension-free through the body, then we can develop the athletic strength, balance, and posture needed for any job — whether that’s stops, performance, trail or obstacles.

Softness unlocks performance.
Softness unlocks understanding.
Softness unlocks the horse.

#EquineBiomechanics #HorseTrainingTips #SoftnessFirst #MindfulHorsemanship #BiomechanicsInMotion #ConnectedRiding #HorsePosture #BalancedHorse #SuppleHorse #LightnessAndSoftness #RiderEducation #HorsemanshipJourney #EquineLearning #HorseDevelopment #TrainingWithFeel #EquineAthlete #HorseAndRiderConnection #AustralianHorsemanship #HorseTrainerLife #PerformanceHorseTraining

This moment may look simple, but it represents hundreds of small steps, small tries, and small wins.

That’s the real journey.

When you learn to appreciate the subtle progress, the whole process becomes lighter, calmer, and a lot more enjoyable for both you and your horse.

#mindfulriding #horseprogress #softfeelhorsemanship

A still, relaxed lower leg is created by balanced hips, quiet stabilisers and tension-free movement.

One yoga-based exercise I use with riders all the time is the Supported Wall Squat, because it resets the exact muscles that influence leg stability in the saddle.

Here’s what happens in your body when you practise it:

✨ Glutes + deep core activate → this supports your pelvis so your leg isn’t trying to hold you up.

✨ Hip flexors release → your leg can actually hang instead of creeping up.

✨ Adductors (inner thighs) switch on softly → giving you connection without gripping.

✨ Hips align→ your balance becomes effortless instead of forced.

When these muscles work together, your lower leg becomes naturally quiet — not because you’re holding it still, but because the rest of your body is finally supporting you correctly.

The horse feels when your leg is relaxed, stable and clear… and the whole ride becomes softer.

It's a small exercise with a big impact.
Try it before you ride, when you wake up or while your cooking dinner and feel the difference in your stability, length and softness. 🧘‍♀️🐎

Repeat 3x for 10 slow breaths.

#RiderBiomechanics #YogaForRiders #EquestrianFitness #HorsemanshipEducation #SoftRiding #RiderBalance

For me, that’s always the starting point. When a horse can release through their topline, follow a soft feel, and understand the direction of energy, their whole body begins to organise — and their mind follows into relaxation.

As this softness develops, the horse gains confidence to travel out with more freedom, better balance, and a stronger sense of where their feet are. That’s the power of good biomechanics: when the body moves correctly, the horse feels safer, more willing, and more connected.

Soft body, soft mind, confident movement.

#horsebiomechanics #horsemanshipwithfeel #equineeducation #softnessandbalance #younghorsetraining #equineposture #mindfulhorsemanship #balancedmovement #trainingtheyounghorse #equineperformance #connectedtraining #australianhorsemanship #horseconfidence #suppleness

It’s taken me a lot of years to learn how to redirect my thoughts…
To stay positive, stay grounded, and keep my focus on my goals — especially when things don’t go to plan or something genuinely crap happens.

And truthfully?
I still haven’t mastered it.
I work on it every single day.

But here’s what I’ve realised along the way:
Your mindset is part of your horsemanship.
If you lose clarity, your horse feels it.
If you hold onto frustration, your progress stalls.

Staying focused doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect.
It means choosing where you’re steering your energy.
You’ll adjust. You’ll pivot. You’ll have days that test you… but that direction still matters.

And your goals don’t need to be massive.
Maybe it’s:
✨️ “I just want to safely trail ride my horse.”
Or maybe it’s:
🔥 “I want to be competitive at a high level.”

Both are valid. Both are powerful.
And both require the same thing — clarity, consistency, and the courage to keep your thoughts aligned with where you want to go.

Keep steering your mindset — even on the hard days.
Your horse, and your future, will follow.

#RideAndRise #PerformanceHorsemanship #HorsemanshipJourney #MindfulRiding #RiderMindset #StayFocused #SoftnessAndConnection #EquestrianLife #HorseTrainingMindset #ProgressNotPerfection

A good stretch isn’t just a long neck.
It’s a full-body release that lets the topline soften, the back lift, and the hind legs step under.

But the magic only happens when the horse stays forward in all gaits.
If they slow down, drop behind the leg, or fall onto the forehand, the stretch stops helping the body and starts collapsing the posture.

✔ Neck stretch = unlock the topline
✔ Forward energy = activate the hind end
✔ Maintained posture = real strengthening

When your horse can lengthen the neck without losing rhythm, balance, or shape, that’s when a stretch turns into true gymnastic training.

A long frame with a swinging back is one of the best tools for building a sound, soft, relaxed and rideable horse.

#horseridingtips #horsetrainingaustralia #horserider #biomechanicshorse #equestriantraining #softness #horsemindset #ridingtechnique #younghorsetraining #longandlow #dressagetrainingtips #westerntraining #rideforward #softfeel

Finally got down to merricks trail!!

Great veiws, great company and a lovely day 🧡🫎🐴

Looking forward to getting out and exploring some more trails!!!

Every day with a horse is about constant improvement…
Constant curiosity…
Constantly getting just a little better than yesterday.

The magic isn’t in the “finished product.”
It’s in the tiny moments where your horse tries, thinks, softens, or offers something new.
It’s in *figuring it out together* — the questions, the feel, the adjustments, the discoveries.

Progress isn’t a straight line.
Some days you refine, some days you learn, and some days you just take one quiet step forward.
But every one of those steps matters.

Keep showing up with intention.
Keep asking with clarity.
Keep appreciating the small wins.

Because the journey — not the result — is what makes a great horse and a thoughtful rider. 🤎🐴

#horsemanship #horsetrainingtips #equestrianlife #trainingjourney #ridewithfeel #betterthanever #performancehorses #younghorsetraining #horseprogress #everydaybetter #curiousrider #softnessandconnection #aussieequestrian #reiningtraining #ranchriding #horsemanshipjourney

Softness and relaxation come from exercises that encourage the horse to move through the body, stay balanced, and engage properly.

Here are 3 exercises to help your horse move softer and freer:

1️⃣ Shoulder-In

Gently ask the horse to step the shoulders slightly off the line of travel while maintaining bend.

Improves balance, lateral suppleness, and softens the topline.

2️⃣ Transitions Within a Gait

Walk–halt–walk or trot–walk–trot in a relaxed frame.

Helps the horse release tension, stay connected, and maintain rhythm.

3️⃣ Hindquarter Yield

Apply inside flexion and ask the hindquarters to step under and around the forehand.

Encourages engagement, lateral suppleness, and a soft, connected topline.

Even a few minutes of these exercises before your main ride can help your horse move softer, stay relaxed, and respond more willingly.

#horsetrainingtips #horsesofinstagram #horsemanshipaustralia #younghorsetraining #posturematters #softnessnotforce #relaxedhorse #trainwithfeel #equinelearning #balancedhorse #horsetrainerlife #performancehorse

A real stop doesn’t come from your hands — it comes from the *hindquarters*.

When you pull on both reins, the horse hollows, drops the poll, disconnects the engine, and stops on the forehand.
Creating a brace in the stop.

A correct stop happens when the horse:

* shifts weight back
* engages the core
* steps the hind legs underneath
* lifts the front end

👉 Use your seat first.
👉 Ride the hind end under you.
👉 Let the reins support, not force.

A horse that understands stop in its body will stop from your breath — not your hands.

#horsemanship #equestriantraining #horsebiomechanics #ranchriding #cowhorse #horseeducation #australianhorsetrainer #stopwithseat #softnessnotforce #horseridertraining #equestrianlife #younghorsetraining #versatilehorse #rideandrisehorsemanship

Your horse is always responding to what you say with your seat, hands, and energy.

Ride with feel, listen to the little signs, and your horse will meet you with softness and willingness. 🤎🐴

Tip:
Reward the try, not the perfection.
The moment your horse makes even a small effort in the right direction, soften or release — that’s how you keep the conversation positive and clear.

#horsemanship #softfeel #horseconnection #rideandrisehorsemanship #westerntraining

Jo & Sienna nailed— their first flying change!

We played with it during the counter canter just to see where she was at, and honestly… this mare’s heart never disappoints. She tries so hard. Not bad at all for a first attempt!

When we introduce something new, the most important part is the preparation — building the horse up physically, mentally, and emotionally. Then you simply ask… and see what shows up. If it gets a little messy, that’s totally okay. You go back to the foundation, strengthen the pieces, and keep building.

For Sienna, the change was there — now we’ll focus on softening her through it and strengthening her counter canter work over the next few weeks. Then we’ll revisit the change and see how she goes. Love watching this pair rise. 🤍✨

#Horsemanship #HorseTraining #FlyingChange #WesternDressage #RanchRiding #PerformanceHorse #SoftnessAndBalance #ProgressNotPerfection #TrainingJourney

Thanks @freelyforwardbodywork for the new techniques have been loving your program so far 🙏🥰

I do love giving my own horses their massage, gives me a chance to feel how there feeling and assess how our training is going and if there needs to be adjustments.

#keeplearning #knowledgeispower #equestrianlife #myofascialrelease #qaurterhorse
#horsemanship

When done correctly, small circles help your horse:
🐎 Step deeper underneath themselves
🐎 Find balance without rushing
🐎 Stay soft through the ribs and shoulders
🐎 Build the strength needed for stops, turns, rollbacks & cow work

But the magic isn’t in the circle — it’s in the quality of how your horse travels through it.

Here’s what I’m looking for:
🔸 A lifted inside shoulder
🔸 A horse soft through its ribs
🔸 A consistent rhythm (no diving, no drifting)
🔸 A rider staying centred, breathing, and guiding with feel
🔸 A balanced canter, not a fast one

And remember: a smaller circle doesn’t mean more pressure.
If your horse loses balance, leaks out the shoulder, or feels stressed — make the circle bigger, regroup, then come small again with softness, not force.

Small circles build big results… but only when we ride them with intention, patience, and feel.

#️⃣ #horsemanship #ridetraining #westernperformancehorse #balancedhorse #cantercircles #ranchhorse #cowhorsetraining #rideandriseranchperformance

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Australia’s Greatest Horsewomen 2024

What a ride! Competing at this incredible event pushed both me and my horse to our best.

Highlights included:
🏆 4th Overall – Rookie Division
🤠 6th – Cowgirl Up Challenge
🐎 2nd – Rookie Obstacles
✨ 4th – Reining

Every ride was a reminder of the power of preparation, connection, and teamwork. Proud of our progress and excited for what’s next!

About me!

Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—I was riding before I could walk. This lifelong passion has shaped my journey, driving me to deepen my understanding and refine my approach to horsemanship.

At thirteen, my family established a riding school that became home to 22 horses, from show ponies and ex-racehorses to Standardbreds, Warmbloods, and Andalusians.

My start was in English disciplines, primarily dressage, with experience in showing, jumping, and cross-country. Alongside this, I worked with off-the-track racehorses and rescued ponies, retraining them for new careers in our school. Training two young Warmbloods further broadened my experience and helped me develop a versatile, well-rounded approach to working with horses of all types.

Over the years, I have trained under a variety of respected instructors, always seeking to refine my methods. My journey led me to move away from traditional training aids—like side reins, tie-downs, and martingales—toward a more connected, intuitive style, while still pursuing competitive goals.

A six-week yoga instructor training course in Queensland was transformative, enhancing my own wellbeing while deepening my understanding of balance, body awareness, and mindful movement—principles I now integrate into every aspect of horsemanship.

Since then, I’ve embraced Western riding, exploring roping, cattle work, obstacle challenges, cutting and the versatility this discipline offers.

Despite the differences in style, my core philosophy remains the same: to develop horses that are soft, responsive, and happy—capable both in performance and on relaxed trail rides.

I’ve had the privilege of learning from esteemed trainers across Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and even spent two weeks at a ranch in Montana at a Buck Brannaman clinic. Each experience has shaped my evolving horsemanship style, which prioritizes effective techniques and horses that thrive without harsh bits or restrictive equipment.

My ultimate goal is to create well-rounded, willing horses and cultivate genuine partnerships between horse and rider—whether for competition, trail riding, or simply enjoying the connection that makes horsemanship so rewarding.