Equine relationship building
The Story of Transformative Horsemanship
Cedar came to Hannah kind of accidentally, as a project. Hannah thought that getting into flipping project horses would be a new stream of income. Cedar was jumpy, nervous, and very herd-bound. For a while, when Cedar would see people approach her in the pasture, she would tense up and leave. When Hannah used traditional natural horsemanship methods, she seemed to get more anxious. She would do what Hannah told her to do but seemed anxious and tense.
And then, they were given a strange opportunity. Cedar had a chronic injury that Hannah was advised to treat with rest. She could no longer imagine turning a profit in the traditional training model. So, they spent time together. Hannah cared for her and found patience. Training could no longer be about what they could “do” together. What a joy!
Hannah started to feel more aligned. She wasn’t riding much at all, but she felt more whole. They shared bodywork, liberty, care, connection, and time. Hannah got into holistic care which included herd dynamics, nutrition, mobilization, and so much more! She found that when you re-approach behaviorism with positive reinforcement you do so from a place of “be-ing” over “do-ing.” Now Cedar is soft and curious.
The most marvelous thing started to happen. Cedar started to show Hannah how to work with her. Cedar showed her how to move with her, how to touch her, how to be in consent, how to offer connection and comfort, and how to offer space. When Hannah was sad, she would nuzzle her, as if to look for “where does it hurt?” When feeling stuck, she would give her a boop and ask Hannah to go on a walk with her. When Hannah was tired, she’d ask if we could stop and rest. Transformative Horsemanship was forged from the transformation Cedar sparked in Hannah.
mission of transformative horsemanship
Our mission at Transformative Horsemanship is to empower individuals to connect with horses as companions, teachers, and guides, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and personal growth through transformative experiences in horsemanship.
What are you all about, anyways?
At Transformative Horsemanship, we honor the dignity of every being.
We believe in the profound power of connection, where hearts and souls intertwine.
We embrace nuance, understanding that true understanding lies in the subtleties.
We practice reciprocity, recognizing that every interaction is an exchange of energies.
We approach our work with care, nurturing relationships built on trust and respect.
Join us in fostering a world where dignity, connection, nuance, reciprocity, and care guide every interaction.
Together, let's embark on a journey of transformative horsemanship.
What do you offer?
At Transformative Horsemanship, we offer a unique approach to horsemanship that focuses on fostering deep connections between humans and horses. Through our programs, workshops, and training sessions, we provide opportunities for individuals to explore the magic of connection and develop their horsemanship skills.
What is it like to work with you?
Engaging with Transformative Horsemanship introduces you to the profound joy of being in authentic connection with horses. Our programs offer opportunities to cultivate a deep bond with these gentle beings, bringing a sense of magic and fulfillment to your life as you explore the unique dynamics of human-horse relationships.
What do I need to do to work with you?
To join us, simply express your interest and willingness to learn. We welcome individuals of all experience levels, offering tailored programs suited to your goals and interests. Get in touch with us to explore the possibilities and start your journey with Transformative Horsemanship.
our collaborative Approach with horses
Our approach centers on the wholeness and aliveness of both horse and human. We believe that horses can bring us into a deep connection that can transform us, our horses, and our world.
Cultivating a strong connection rooted in trust and respect for fostering a positive rapport with horses is our focus. Consistency, patience, and effective communication play pivotal roles in building a deeper, holistic relationship with your horse.
Our programs value the connection we build with ourselves and our horses above all else. True connection is not domination, it is loving, compassionate, mutual care. Here, the horses are our teachers just as much as Hannah is. We hope you will join us in horsemanship lessons, training, and other programming. Always walking together down the path that invites us to be whole.
Our Horsemanship values
We work to dismantle ideas that:
Humans or horses “owe” us anything
Domination and force are the only ways to be safe with horses
The horse is primarily responsible for a disharmonious relationship
We work to support ideas that:
Authentic and loving relationships are based on cooperation and consent
A reciprocal, consensual approach is the best way to stay safe with horses
Self-awareness and accountability foster growth and connection