Asking horse people to name a favourite member of their equine team is like asking parents to choose a favourite child - so we’re not doing that 😊 Instead, we’re asking for photos of the one who stole your heart - by their presence or their absence 💕

When this community first opened, the plan was simple: create a secure, private space for Horses Connect students to access resources. Facebook had run its course for us and Skool ticked all the boxes because it’s organised, contained, professional, and fit for purpose. So we set it up that way. · Clear. · Structured. · Professional. · Very, very… serious. 😶 Which is fine on one level. This is serious work. People, horses, ethics, responsibility are all non-negotiable. But something was missing. Me. 🤪 More specifically, one of my core strengths: humour. Not jokes-for-the-sake-of-it humour, but warmth, lightness, humanity, and the ability to exhale, and to admit that sometimes we get it wrong too! The kind of humour that says: we take our work seriously, but not ourselves. Anyone who’s trained with Horses Connect in real life knows this only too well! 😉 There’s always been laughter, stories, raised eyebrows, and the odd ‘oh thank goodness it’s not just me’ moment. Somewhere that got lost and this community became BORING! If our horses were on Skool they’d have noticed! They don’t expect or respond to stiff, polished versions of us. They respond to presence ,and authenticity. Humans being human – warts and all. This community will always be professional, ethical, and grounded in best practice. And now it will also be more relaxed, more conversational, and occasionally playful. 🤭 · Same integrity and professionalism. · Less stiffness. · More relaxed. · Better learning. REFLECTIVE NUDGE Where might you benefit from loosening up a little in your life or coaching?

Using only an Emoji, share your aspirations for 2026 😊 If you can’t find a suitable Emoji, use a GIF or even one word.

When you’re around horses, what really happens to your brain and body?

Many of the most meaningful horse–human connections develop outside formal courses, through observation, presence, and humility. Here are some practical, low-cost, no-course ways to learn and practise connecting with horses, all rooted in how horses actually experience the world. 1. Learn by Watching (Without Interfering) Spend time simply watching horses being horses. - Sit quietly outside a field or paddock - Notice: - Watch for subtle shifts: ears, breathing, weight, tail What this teaches you: - Horses communicate constantly, but quietly - Leadership does not mean dominance - Safety is built through awareness, not control This is how horses learn each other, no instruction required. 😊 2. Practise Regulating Yourself First Horses respond to nervous systems, not intentions. Solo practices (no horse required): - Slow your breathing until it deepens naturally - Stand with soft knees and relaxed jaw - Drop your shoulders and exhale fully - Notice your internal state without trying to change it Then repeat this near horses but without approaching them. What this teaches you: - Horses mirror emotional tone, not words - Connection starts with self-awareness - Calm is something you become, not perform 3. Learn Horse Language Through Observing Their Feet Horses tell the truth through their feet. Try this: - Watch where horses place weight - Notice when they: - Copy the quality of their movement in your own body Reflection question: “What are my feet doing right now, and why?” What this teaches you: - Horses feel intention through movement - Stillness is active, not passive - Boundaries are often expressed without leaving 4. Practise “Being With” Instead of “Doing To” Most people rush to DO something with horses. Instead, practise doing nothing well. If you’re allowed near horses: - Stand sideways, not head-on - Avoid staring directly - Let the horse decide distance - Do not reach unless invited If the horse walks away, just let them.