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.

It's a free 90-day online challenge for horse owners across the country, and it kicks off September 1. Whether you've been around horses your whole life or you're still finding your footing, its designed for every discipline, every horse, and every stage of ownership. Over the 90 days you'll get: ✅ Weekly activities and themes ✅ Educational content from leading equine professionals ✅ Live Q&A sessions ✅ Prizes and giveaways ✅ A private Facebook community to connect and learn alongside other horse owners I'll be contributing content on essential oils and equine aromatherapy as part of the challenge, and I'd love to see you there! Registration is free and takes just a minute: 👉 https://www.thehorseconcierge.com/horsemanship-challenge

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 💙

This week’s experiment comes straight out of our latest Thinking Horse and Rider conversation - don't worry...I'm working on getting the episode finished! Just take a minute, and think about YOUR horse: What’s ONE thing you avoid doing because you know it creates a problem? Maybe you don’t: - Trailer with another horse because yours gets attached. - Feed treats because your horse gets pushy. - Ride outside because your horse gets spooky. - Separate from the herd because it becomes a battle. - Canter because things get a little… 😬. Avoidance can be perfectly good management when you or your horse don't have the skills to handle something safely yet. But management isn't training and there are so many training modalities available to us today, so find one that is a change from your normal routine and give it a try! Your challenge today: Spend 10 minutes researching ONE new way to approach the thing you've been avoiding. And instead of searching: “How do I stop my horse from _____?” Try: 👉 “What does my horse need to learn to successfully _____?” You don't even have to try the new technique today. Your job is simply to discover another possibility. Then come back here and tell us what you picked! What have you been avoiding? And what did you discover when you started looking for the missing skill instead of a way to stop the behavior? Drop yours below 👇 — someone else in the Lab may be wrestling with the exact same thing. Bonus points: If you can't figure out what skill is missing, post the problem anyway. Let's troubleshoot it together. 🧪🐴

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