Horse Progress: Ready for challenging tasks?

Horse Education

Evolving the Ask

By Samantha Harvey, Founder — Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach

"How do I get my horse to be okay with ___?" (trailer, the scary corner, saddling, the farrier, fill in the blank.) Usually, someone is describing the big scenario, and the horse is already overwhelmed by it.

When I start with a horse, I'm not focused on the "final outcome". I'm presenting tiny segments to help him learn how to think through a scenario (rather than fixate)... to search (offer more than one try without getting emotionally triggered) for an answer instead of waiting to be driven or pushed... to try... and just as important, to let go of a thought (anticipation, fixation, concern, worry).

Most horses I meet have never been taught this nor is there a differentiation between directing their thoughts from their movement. Too many horses in their initial training learned to tolerate, comply, shut down (offer no physical resistance), or get bigger (to make the human go away). This leaves them unable (and overwhelmed) the more that is asked of them.

Once the equine learns these skills, I present small scenarios to practice the Conversation. Not "load in the trailer," but "how do you feel about walking toward, around, away from it?" I observe his feedback during the interaction, and especially after. Is there a look away, a held breath, a stiff jaw, a step back, is his tail swishing... all of which is him telling me where/if there are concerning aspects. He's not being "naughty" or "testing" me. He's giving me feedback.

Rather than mindlessly repeating to "just getting through it," as I address each concern, I'm also assessing the quality and effectiveness of my communication. By presenting scenarios in smaller segments, it allows me an opportunity to pause and recognize if the horse is becoming defensive towards my aids- and I can address that aspect. It also gives him time to process- his concern and my communication. Then I may ask for a little more.

Here's what people don't consider... the more often a horse is supported by the human to learn how to work through and let go of his concerns, the more the person is "proving" themselves to the horse to be trusted, and the increase in his try will follow. By the time I present something much larger, it isn't "a concern" to him anymore, because he's been prepared with each segment presented along the way, and he is offered relevant communication.

If the horse falls apart when you ask for more, the "why won't he do it?" is ignoring the "what did I miss in the preparation?"

How do you know he needs help or is ready for more?

Your horse will "tell you" in subtle feedback, before he does something dramatic. The trick is noticing the behavior that most of mainstream society teaches you to ignore, because when it is, (or critiqued rather than addressed) it evolves into the potentially dangerous responses.

He's telling you there's a concern when you see him...

• Looking away or fixating on something else when you step toward him
• Holding his breath, or short, quick, labored breathing despite not having physically exerted himself
• Tightness in the jaw, wrinkles in the muzzle, worry lines around the eye
• Head up, neck shortened and braced, "ballooned barrel," or "hollowing" of the back
• Tail swishing or clamped
• Ears hyper-flicking back and forth or back and rigid
• Tripod-like stance, braced knees/hocks
• Constant shifting away, or stepping backward
• Freezing in place (this one gets mistaken for "being good")
• Fidgeting, pawing, or hurried movement
• Getting pushy, crowding, or leaning toward/at the human
• Eyes dull and "checked out"... shut down- i.e. "no response" at all

Even if he has displayed the above behaviors and still complied, does not mean he is "ready" for more- and it is usually when he is asked to offer more- that the horse "suddenly" shows dramatic resistance.

He's ready to move on- or for you to evolve the ask- when you see...

• A deep breath out, or a sigh that shows up on his own
• Real-time mental processing- soft blinking, gentle chewing, rhythmic breathing
• Jaw, lips, and eye softening
• Head and neck held at a natural height, without skin tension or twitching (such as when touched)
• Tail softly hanging, ears relaxed or one tipped toward you
• Shifting a hip, or standing balanced without mentally bouncing all over
• Brain and body in the same place... he isn't looking around with anticipation
• Curiosity- softly looking toward/inspecting something (without imposing/pushing/trying to bite it), perhaps offering a small, soft step toward the unfamiliar/scary thing
• The same quiet response several times in a row, without anticipation or rushing
• Willing to be mentally directed "away" (not physically moving his feet away) from the concerning area- without having a flee, increase in tension, or a fixation on the thing he is unsure of

As you are assessing, remember that a one time soft response doesn't mean he's fully worked through a scenario. Experiment with one small change, and observe his mental and physical responses. Even if not yet fully confident, if he stays "available" and thinking, he's ready for more. Adapt with how you offer a release- which may be just mental, or mental and spatial. Sometimes, it takes literally moving the horse away from a scenario to "pull the release valve" and then you see the full body shake, blowing, yawning, passing manure, etc. in his let down of tension as he mentally processes.

If during any "segment" a concern reappears, that tells you what hasn't been fully addressed to help the horse mentally let it "go."

A final thought... When just observing the horse, notice what the difference is in your perception of what equine behaviors you'd classify as a "quiet," relaxed, or shut down horse.

— Samantha Harvey, Alternative Horsemanship™
The Remote Horse Coach

Avoiding Unwanted Horse Behavior

Horse Behavior Problems: The Workarounds We Learn to Live With

By Samantha Harvey, Founder — Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach

I have lost count of how many times I've heard, "Oh, he's done that for a while."

It usually comes from someone standing next to a horse who has been "like that" for so long that the human has built an entire routine around it.

The Common Comments

A few of the more common comments I hear:

• To coerce the hard to catch horse, a bucket, a second one, and a friend stationed at the gate
• Turning the horse loose- ALWAYS swing the gate(s) open beforehand, because as soon as the halter is off he bolts off and kicks out
• The trailer loading that takes forty-five minutes, two helpers, several types of treats, and one specific buddy horse
• The girthy horse who "just makes grumpy faces" so is cinched one hole at a time, with a lap around the arena between each round of tightening
• The horse who "just needs twenty minutes on the lunge line to get the sillies out"
• The corner of the arena "we don't go in" and is avoided at all cost
• The horse who is "only like that with the farrier"

Outside the Horse World

Humans do the same thing outside of the horse world, and most of us know a house with at least one of these:

• A toilet that runs until someone jiggles the handle.
  
  Everyone who lives there knows the jiggle. Visitors get instructions. Years go by without a plumber. The jiggle is accepted as the solution.
• The stair everyone skips because it is loose, right up until the day an unsuspecting guest walks across it and nearly breaks a leg
• The Wi-Fi that gets restarted every afternoon around the same time, until the family simply refers to 3:00 as "router time"
• The closet door held shut with a foot while someone else pushes higher up to "adjust" the warping to get it to close

Each of these "workarounds" may have become fine for the people who "know the routine." But, when the new house sitter arrives, it quickly becomes apparent how many things need to be done in a "certain way" just for the sake of basic functioning.

Why Workarounds Feel Like Progress

Horses are no different. The workaround(s) seem to keep daily life running smoothly (i.e. the least amount of resistance or time needed to get the horse to comply), so it feels like progress. Yet weeks, months, or years later, the horse still appears to carry the same initial concern leading to the "workaround"-and the human has mastered their ability to bend over backwards in their heroic efforts to avoid "conflict"- without ever addressing the root cause(s) of it.

With each unintentional reinforced instance, the equine's behavior tends to evolve, often escalating into a bigger, more dramatic response, reflecting how the root cause has never addressed.

When the Holes Show Up

The "holes" become obvious the day something changes in the horse's world... a new handler, the vet, the farrier running late, a storm, an emergency, a different trailer, and he offers unreasonable or unsafe behavior.

The Instruction Sheet

I often ask students- both in terms of considering one's safety, but also improving the well-being of the horse:

If someone else had to handle your horse tomorrow, how long would the instruction sheet be of the "workarounds" you currently use?

If there is a list forming in your head, it can be an opportunity for an honest reflection of unaddressed aspects in the horse's education. These offer a specific starting point of breaking down the "big task" into smaller segments to gain insight into what exactly triggers, fears, or concerns are causing the need for a "workaround."

Most masking of symptoms begin with a human's good intentions, but limited time and/or skills to seek out the root cause(s).

Do you have a workaround?

— Sam
Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach

Interested in improving the partnership?

Join me for an Intro Consult — an opportunity to discuss where you are with your horse, ask questions, and pinpoint what aspects of your equine partnership need refining to create positive, long-term change.

Book an Intro Consult | Explore the Video Catalog

Horse Behavior Problems - Trying to Fix the Symptom? Virtual learning options

Horse Behavior Symptoms vs. Root Cause

Need H.E.L.P.?

By Samantha Harvey, Founder — Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach

Every week I receive emails asking for coaching about what someone thinks is going on with their horse. Despite sharing three or four paragraphs, in detail, explaining their issue, I have found owners are focusing on symptoms without realizing it.

Here's the challenge: often what a person is describing as happening, versus what is causing the horse to behave/react in a certain manner, can be two very different things.

The Brake Pedal

Example — you are driving and attempt to slow the vehicle down by stepping on the brake, but the car is slow to respond, and you have to use the pedal flattened to the floorboard to stop.

You might assume that the brake pedal isn't working because when you used it, the car didn't react as you wanted.

But if you brought the vehicle to the mechanic shop, describing the "problem" and requested that they fix the pedal, they might "counter" or want to explore further to discover what the actual issue is.

They might begin by inspecting what the brake pedal is attached to, the brake line... and if during their "inspection" they discovered the vehicle was low on brake fluid, or that the brake line was cracked, or that your brake pads were worn out, perhaps all three "problems" were contributing to the "final" outcome of the car's lack of response when stepping on the brake, and not the pedal itself contributing to the lack of response.

But if you ignored the mechanic's discovery, and remained laser focused on "fixing" the pedal itself, despite your efforts to replace it, the vehicle's performance would not improve.

This analogy is exactly what I often experience when I help people with their horses. The clearly defined "problem" in the human's mind, more times than not, is a symptom(s) reflecting missing/unaddressed aspects in the horse's education and lacking/unclear communication between human and animal.

Without addressing the root cause, irrelevant of the time and effort spent trying to "fix" the problem — symptoms would continue to appear, or morph into other unwanted equine behaviors.

Why H.E.L.P.?

Last year I came up with an idea of how to assist horse owners in recognizing the specific "starting point" to address symptomatic problems or challenges with the equine. I created the H.E.L.P. option in my Remote Horse Coach services.

Why H.E.L.P.? — Horse Evaluation for Learning and Progression.

Owners submit a five minute video. I record a 10-minute voice-over analysis walking you through what I'm seeing... The goal is to help decipher and clarify the difference between the symptom(s) and the root cause(s) behind the undesired equine behavior.

By specifying "where" the behaviors are stemming from, helps bring clarity in the specifics of what needs to be addressed or taught (to both the horse and human), to create long-term positive change in the behavior.

Irrelevant of one's location, or time limitations, these insightful H.E.L.P. analysis' can offer a "starting point" — without a long-term virtual coaching commitment.

How It Works

Technologically challenged? Place your phone on a mounting block, bridle hook, chair, etc. and film. No editing needed. Upload to a link provided in the online registration, pay the $20, and within 48–72 hours later, you will receive a downloadable link with my assessment and insight.

Curious? Click the link.

— Sam

P.S. If you need extra guidance in filming and uploading, I created a step by step tutorial available on The Remote Horse Coach website.

Curious about a H.E.L.P. analysis?

Get a starting point for your horse's behavior — without a long-term commitment.

Get Your H.E.L.P. Analysis Book an Intro Consult

Labels: horse behavior help, H.E.L.P. video analysis, horse learning help, root cause vs symptoms, Alternative Horsemanship™

Why the Horse Training Hasn't Worked

Perspective & Approach

You've Tried the Trainers.
Here's Why It Hasn't Worked.

Your skepticism about horse professionals is probably well-earned. Let's talk honestly about what's actually going on — and what it would take to change it.

By Samantha Harvey  ·  Alternative Horsemanship™

I'm going to start with something most people in my profession won't say: if you've worked with multiple trainers and clinicians and still feel like something fundamental is missing — if your horse is "better" for a few weeks and then isn't — your instinct that something isn't right is probably correct.

That's not a comfortable thing to say, because I am a trainer and clinician. But after 30 years of working with horses and humans on six continents, I've seen the pattern repeat too many times to pretend otherwise.

The frustrating part isn't that people are trying. Most horse owners I've worked with are trying very hard. The frustrating part is that most of what gets offered in this industry is focused on the horse — on changing his behavior, managing his responses, producing a more compliant animal — without honestly addressing the variable that is actually most in play: the human.

The Symptom Gets Fixed. The Cause Doesn't.

When a horse has an unwanted behavior — refusing, tension, defensiveness, reactivity — the standard professional response is to address that specific behavior. The pulling, the spooking, the bucking, whatever it is. And often it gets better, at least for a while. The trainer addresses it, demonstrates something that works in their hands, the horse responds — and the owner leaves feeling like progress was made.

But here's what doesn't get addressed: why that behavior was happening in the first place, and what role the human's communication, timing, awareness, or emotional state played in creating the conditions for it. A horse that is tense and reactive is telling you something. Most training "fixes" the telling, not the thing being told.

"Unwanted horse behaviors are symptoms, not causes. Learning to interpret the subtle, underlying equine communication allows you to recognize and address root issues rather than mask them."

I use the word "surviving" to describe what many horse-human interactions actually look like, even when they appear functional. The rider gets through the session, the horse doesn't do the really bad thing, nobody got hurt. But neither party was actually communicating with the other. The human was managing, and the horse was tolerating. That's not a partnership — it's an ongoing negotiation between two unclear parties, and it's exhausting for both.

The Human Filter Nobody Talks About

Here's the thing about horses — they are the most honest communicators most humans will ever encounter in their lives. They have no agenda. They are not being stubborn, ornery, or difficult on purpose. They respond to what is actually being offered to them, which is why the same horse can be completely different depending on who is handling him.

What they respond to is clarity, consistency, and someone who is actually present. What most humans bring to the interaction — without realizing it — is anticipation, emotional filtering, unconscious habits, and unresolved tension from the last thing that went wrong. The horse feels all of it. He doesn't know what to do with it. He responds in ways that then get labeled as "bad behavior."

I warn students when they begin learning this: once you can see it, you cannot unsee it. That's both the gift and the difficulty of this work. Because once you genuinely start to understand what the horse is communicating, you realize how much of what you thought was happening in your interactions was actually just your own story layered over the top of the horse's real response.

What Most Professionals Are Incentivized Not to Tell You

I don't say this to be harsh to my colleagues, but the economics of the training industry create a particular kind of pressure. Clinicians who fill arenas rely on dramatic visible transformation in a short window of time. The before-and-after, the moment of connection, the horse that was "bad" and is now "good." Those moments are real. But they happen in the trainer's hands, with the trainer's timing, read, and awareness — and then the owner goes home without the foundational understanding that made those moments possible.

The result is a cycle that I see constantly: take a lesson or attend a clinic, feel inspired and hopeful, go home, things gradually slide back, take another lesson or find another clinician, feel hopeful again. The horse gets older and more confirmed in his patterns. The rider gets subtly more discouraged, even if they can't quite name it.

The students who make the most lasting progress in their horsemanship are not always the ones who improve fastest. They are the ones who become genuinely curious about the process of learning, rather than focused on arriving at specific outcomes quickly.

They stop asking "how do I get my horse to stop doing X?" and start asking "what is my horse actually trying to communicate when he does X, and what is my role in creating that situation?"

That shift in question changes everything.

What "Alternative" Actually Means

I named my approach Alternative Horsemanship™ for a reason. Not because it is trendy, and not as a marketing word. Alternative, in this context, means an alternative to the default — to the widespread industry approach that prioritizes compliance, repetition, and performance over genuine understanding of equine behavior and honest assessment of the human's role.

What that looks like practically:

• We don't label horse behavior as good or bad — we read it as information
• We address the human's timing, presence, emotional state, and clarity — not just what the horse is doing
• We look for root causes instead of managing symptoms
• We don't progress to a new skill until the foundation underneath it is actually solid
• We accept that real change in a horse-human relationship is not fast — and that's not a failure, it's honest
• We understand that the goal is a genuine partnership built on trust, not a more obedient animal

For the Person Who is Done with Quick Fixes

If what I've written here resonates, it's probably because you've already been through enough cycles of hope and disappointment to be skeptical of the next thing that promises results. I understand that completely, and I'm not asking you to take this on faith.

What I do offer is access to how I think — through articles, videos, and an introductory consultation where I can hear specifically what's going on with you and your horse. Not to tell you what's wrong or offer a formula, but to have an honest conversation about what is actually happening and whether this approach is something you want to explore further.

If you're the person who has been quietly thinking there has to be something more real than what you've been offered so far, that's probably a useful instinct to follow.

If this way of thinking speaks to you

The Intro Consult is a conversation, not a sales call. It's a chance to discuss where you are with your horse, ask questions, and see if this is the right fit for where you want to go.

Book an Intro Consult Explore the Video Catalog

7 Questions to Improve Time with your Horse

Horse and Human Help

Improve Time with your Horse

Samantha Harvey- Alternative Horsemanship ™ the Remote Horse Coach™

I believe people can learn from many different forms of shared horse knowledge (even if it is what not to do,) BUT I find without a clear foundational basis, the constant barrage of "dos and don'ts" that drastically differ in shared horse training approaches, theories, and methods can be exhausting for the student to filter through.

Horse Learning Help - When we Stop Powering Through

Horse Learning Help

When "Powering Through" Quits Working

By Samantha Harvey founder
Alternative Horsemanship™ The Remote Horse Coach

I had remote coaching students on multiple continents this week- and the general theme was discussing breath... The students' backgrounds were drastically different, as were their ages, and horse experience.

Yet, along their individual paths of raising self- awareness to improve the relationship with their horse, each had come to the conclusion of how much "work" it was to intentionally breathe.

It sounds funny as the most basic instinctive need to survive is to breathe- and somehow, here we are as human beings, rapidly "losing" the connection between breath and our mind, emotions, and body.

Of course, this isn't just a "horse people problem," but it is magnified for those who spend time with, around, or riding the incredibly sensitive animals.

The cliche of "your horse reflects you," is an understatement.

Breath affects the human's mental, emotional, and physical state. It directly influences the quality, specificity, timing, and effectiveness of communication with the horse.

It is not something that can be brushed aside as a, "I'll work on that someday..." if the goal is to evolve the quality of one's relationship with the horse.

I've had various students describe trying to re-learn how to "breathe naturally" as:

• *Feeling like their chest was being compressed by boulder
• *The deeper the intentional breath, the more they found themselves gasping for air
• *The more they focused on their breath, they realized the tension in their muscles increased
• *They couldn't "focus" on their breath while doing any other activity
• *They could achieve softer breathing, but then as soon as something distracted them, they'd "lose" the rhythm

I'll be honest, it is very uncomfortable to reach a moment of recognizing how disconnected we have become from our bodies. Once you realize patterns in yourself, even if you don't have the energy to address them now, the awareness is a "burden."

For a lot of years (decades actually,) much of western society's "norms" have wreaked havoc on the human nervous system; unrealistic demands, distractions, expectations, time urgencies, etc. have contributed to deregulated states as the human loses any natural sense of physical awareness they are born with.

From mobility, to breathing, to intention- for many people, what came naturally as a child, dissipates the more "societal influenced" people become as they unintentionally drift away from what was once instinctive responses.

When I first started teaching, I had intentionally titled one of my web pages: "Back to Basics"- people HATED the name. HATED the reference, and I eventually gave in and changed it.

The problem with the name, based on the feedback- was people who'd spent years with horses, didn't want to have insinuated that they needed to "go back" (society's "what have you achieved by now") or that they were still needing to learn "the basics," (society's hurry up, do more, multitask, result drive outcomes need to "prove" the time/money/effort was worth it.)

I specifically created the title because so many people were coming to me with "problem horses," but themselves were missing fundamental basics in understanding, awareness, and skills-and instead were wanting to "fix" things (symptoms,) rather than recognizing or acknowledging that to help the horse, it started with their self-awareness and availability to learn. Including, inconsistent breathing.

Society rewards the mindset of "powering through" or "making something happen," which doesn't work with horses... I mean, it may temporarily appear to get desired results with a certain type/personality of horse, but then one day, "all of a sudden..." it doesn't.

So much presented societally, socially, media wise, etc. is about using literal or figurative strength to force things to occur or comply. This also doesn't work with horses... which is why you are reading posts shared on this site.

So, coming back to the idea of breath... Think of someone who lifts weights at the gym, unintentionally more often than not, they end up holding their breath as they try to engage their muscles. The personal trainers will remind them to breathe, instead, you'll see braced, tight, rigid behavior as they anticipate engaging in the activity.

It is no difference to what I see people do ALL the time with their horses. Even if not literally thinking they are "powering" through something... whether hopeful, passive, avoidant, or trying to be "believable"- they often hold their breath.

When emotions are engaged, they hold their breath... the same goes for when someone is lacking confidence, distracted, or carrying stresses from other aspects of life.

So remember... it starts with awareness.

Don't impose self-critique or judgement once you realize what your current "norm" is.

Do see every opportunity to "reset" as retraining your brain and body- which helps in all aspects of daily life, not just your horse time.

Don't expect sudden changes in yourself if you've been doing something unintentionally for decades.

Do only attempt a minute or two at a time (I'm not kidding) of intentionally breathing... initially, you'll be mentally exhausted.

Imagine all the potential positives that could occur if you treat yourself with the same kindness as you'd offer others ...

Horse Learning Help & Tips

Horse Learning




Irrelevant of where in the world one is, there is always learning opportunities... Even if "just" from the horse's communication and behavior.

The Effective of your Horse Communication

 I find that sometimes making comparisons outside of the “horse world” helps folks better see/believe when they are with their equine.

Horse Skills- The missing "tool" of the Positive Alternative

 In many training approaches, the moment a horse does something unwanted, the response is correction. The focus is only on stopping, blocking, and criticizing the equine behavior, to “teach him a lesson.” This leads to what I call “surviving” the experience/ride.

Horse Skills and Improving the Equine Partnership

 Nothing is too “basic.”

To demonstrate how repetitive interactions or behaviors can lead to mindlessness, I’ll sometimes ask students if they’ve ever been showering and suddenly stopped, and thought to themselves, “Did I already wash my hair?” People will chuckle at the “guilt” of realizing they might have had a similar experience...

Horse Learning without Guarantees

 The only consistent thing I have found to be true is humans ARE seeking connection.

Repeatedly, social media videos that “do best” show the horse that is willing to interact with people, offering an emotional connection. The promise gives viewers hope, triggering interaction… A great motivator for change, or to “activate” people- whether to react, sign up, or buy into a belief system- is to engage the human emotion of hope.

The New Year: Horse Learning without Guilt- New Beginnings

I'm very aware that this time of year can stir up a particular kind of mental static. It’s the inner critic, tallying up the "not yets" and the "I should haves" with your horse.

Let's name it: Horse Guilt. It’s that feeling that you didn't do enough, "fix" enough, ride enough, or progress enough.

Guilt is not a motivator; it is a paralyzer.

H.E.L.P. Reset, Refocus, and Ride Strong into the New Year

Why Short, Flexible Coaching Might Be Exactly What You Need Right Now

The holidays are a beautiful mix of celebration, reflection, and—let’s be honest—stress. Between busy schedules, winter weather, family expectations, and year-end pressure, it’s no surprise that many riders and horse owners feel overwhelmed or stuck this time of year.

But the end of the year also creates new opportunities:
A chance to reset your mindset, refine your goals, and start the new year with clarity and confidence—without locking yourself into long-term coaching commitments.

That’s exactly why I created H-E-L-P, a short-format, easy-access coaching service available through remote horse coaching.

What Is H-E-L-P?

H-E-L-P is a targeted coaching option designed for equine enthusiasts and horse owners who:

• Need help fast

• Don’t want lengthy coaching programs

• Prefer flexible, short-term support

• Want expert guidance without pressure, contracts, or subscriptions

It’s the coaching version of “I just need someone to walk me through this right now.”

Whether you’re facing a behavioral issue, confidence dip, training block, or simply want clarity on your next steps, H-E-L-P gives you direct support—quickly and without obligation.

No long commitment.
No monthly billing.
No complicated program structure.
Just clear, supportive, actionable guidance when you need it most.

 The end of the year tends to amplify challenges:

• Less riding time

• Weather interruptions

• Schedule chaos

• Horse behavior changes

• Rising stress + lowered confidence

• Pressure to “start the new year right”

This is often when riders feel most alone in their struggles.

But you don’t need to push through it solo.

H-E-L-P lets you tap into quick, expert support exactly when something pops up, without having to commit to a long-term coaching relationship. It’s a tool you can use once, occasionally, or as needed while navigating the season.

What You Get With H-E-L-P

Every H-E-L-P session is built to be:

✔ Short & efficient

Focused sessions that deliver clarity without requiring hours of your time.

✔ Flexible

Use it when you need it. Skip it when you don’t.

✔ No long-term commitment

Perfect for riders who just need targeted guidance or a quick problem-solving session.

✔ Completely remote

No hauling horses, rearranging schedules, or dealing with winter footing.

✔ Personalized to your situation

Your horse, your goals, your challenge—no cookie-cutter advice.

Holiday Special: Give Yourself (or a Friend) the Gift of Support

This season is all about care—so why not extend some of that care to yourself and your partnership with your horse?

H-E-L-P is a perfect holiday boost:

• For seasonal horse time interruptions

• For owners dealing with sudden changes in equine behavior or training issues

• For anyone entering the new year wanting clarity and direction

• For gift-givers looking for something meaningful and practical

Sometimes the most valuable gift is simply help—the right help, at the right moment.

Ready to Start?

If you’re craving clarity, encouragement, or a step forward—without commitments or pressure—H-E-L-P is ready when you are.

👉 Visit RemoteHorseCoach.com/H-E-L-P to reserve your session.

Step into the new year with confidence, support, and a clear plan for you and your horse. You deserve that—and your horse will thank you for it, too.

Horse Help: Understanding before Expectations with Alternative Horsemanship™

 

“Understanding Before Expectations”

Have you ever driven a vehicle that suddenly started drifting, pulling, or moving in a way you didn’t want?

If that happened, would you stop the car, get out, and try to physically force the wheels into the direction you wanted them to go?

Of course not.
You’d start by troubleshooting:

• What is the condition of the tires?

• Is there an issue with the axles or brakes?

• Are the fluids low?

• Is the steering column misaligned?

Even if you didn’t understand the mechanics yourself, you would look for or seek guidance to find the root cause of the problem.

Why don’t we do the same with our horses?

In traditional training, when a horse shows unwanted behavior, the common response is:

• Add more equipment

• Use harsher aids

• Try to force compliance

• Speed up the training

• Push/drive/chase the horse through his resistance

But all that does is magnify the holes—
in the horse’s education
and in reflect a lack of human understanding.

When we mask symptoms instead of addressing root causes, unwanted behaviors don’t disappear…
they simply morph into something else.
Balking becomes bolting.
Tension becomes spooking.
Resistance becomes shutdown.
And owners are left wondering what the horse will do next.

Alternative Horsemanship™ is not about controlling the horse.
It’s about understanding the horse—
their communication, mental state, and natural responses.

Instead of reacting to problems,
we learn to see the early subtle signs of worry, anticipation, or defensiveness.
We teach the skills to learn how to recognize and address the root cause before it becomes a unreasonable or potentially dangerous behavior.

This approach focuses on building a foundation through:
✔ Clear communication
✔ Observing the horse’s communication
✔ Understanding how to influence the horse's mind to create changes in equine behavior or natural instincts
✔ Awareness of your own mindset, emotions, and habits
✔ Interactions that create a safe space for learning to build trust—rather than demanding fearful compliance or forced submission

Whether you realize it or not,
you are always teaching your horse.
Your energy, timing, clarity, and intention is reflected in the horse's responses.

If you’re tired of:

• Fixing the same problems over and over

• Hoping for “good days”

• Wondering what your horse will do next

• Feeling like training is a guessing game

Then it’s time to build a foundation based on understanding rather than reacting.

Because the quality of your horsemanship isn’t measured by:
❌ fancy equipment
❌ how quickly you get results
❌ what someone else can make your horse do

It’s reflected in:
✔ Intention
✔ Commitment
✔ Adaptability
✔ Clarity
✔ And your willingness to help the horse in front of you

Alternative Horsemanship™ branched into becoming The Remote Horse Coach to help you virtually learn how to create a relationship that’s not dictated by fear, dominance, or performance pressure—
but by communication, confidence, and calmness.

If you're ready to replace hope with understanding,
reactiveness with clarity,
and frustration with confidence—
learn how Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach can help you on horse journey.

Let’s begin building a partnership founded on awareness, curiosity, and mutual respect.

Visit the Individual Virtual Horse Coaching or the Horse Learning Video Catalog