People and a horse in WNC

heart-first & horse-led horsemanship

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.

Hannah Heiser and a white horse

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, knowing that true understanding lies in the subtleties.

We practice reciprocity, recognizing that every interaction is an exchange.

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 weekly horsemanship and riding lessons, workshops, and leasing opportunities. We also offer highly collaborative, owner-centered training through lessons that make you, the owner, the most empowered individual able to affect change with your horse.

What types of horsemanship/riding do you do?

Our work pulls from a variety of knowledges, skills, and modalities. We are instructed and inspired by Emotional Horsemanship, Intrinzen, Positive Reinforcement, the Balance through movement Method, Pain Science, Movement Science, Natural Horsemanship, Dressage, Hunters/Jumpers/Equitation, and (most importantly) the horses themselves. Our work is also influenced by mindfulness, somatics, trauma-informed science, meditation, breath work, internal family systems, visual thinking strategies, emergent strategy, mediation, community organizing, and more! 

Hannah spent 20 years in the hunter, jumper, and equitation world, always having a basis of dressage. The past five years she has deepened her practice of dressage and focused primarily on any kind of horsemanship that leads her towards deeper, authentic connections with the hroses.

In recent years, Hannah has primarily studied with Lockie Phillips and Kristy Foley of Emotional Horsemanship and Shannon Beahan of Humminghorse Equestrian. She is constantly ingesting knowledge and up-to-date science, as well as innovating, experimenting, and integrating original practices in horsemanship. 

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.

This involves moments of stillness and subtle feel, as well as explosive, dynamic movements in play. Wherever we go,  whatever we do, and however we do it is a collaboration between student, teacher, and creature. 

Prepare yourself for humor, depth, and the slow, meaningful work of inter-species relationship building!

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.

  • "all flourishing is mutual"

    Robin Wall Kimmerer


our collaborative Approach with horses

Person with red shirt connecting to a horse

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.

Horses connecting with people in a circle

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