AJ Equine- Ethical Horsemanship

07/09/2026

When Horses Discover They Can Say No😈

One of my favourite things is working with horses that have been labelled difficult.

The stubborn ones. The resistant ones. The horses people warn you about before you even climb on.

What fascinates me is how many are expecting a fight.

The moment you ask for something, they brace themselves. They expect pressure. They expect an argument. They've learned that requests aren't really requests at all. They're demands, backed by increasing pressure until they give in.

So when I ask a ‘stubborn’ horse to move forward, they often expect more of the same.

Only that's not what I'm offering.

I use my rein in a gesture….

"Would you like to go forward?"

Some horses plant their feet. Some back up. They prepare for a battle that hasn't even started.

But the rein stays soft. My seat stays neutral. No pressure arrives to force the answer.

So I let them say no. Once, twice, maybe a few times.

Then I ask again.

What usually happens next is pretty revealing.

These horses begin offering forward movement. Not because they were forced. Not because they ran out of options.

Because they chose it.

That's when the real conversation begins.

The horse discovers that disagreement doesn't lead to conflict. They realise their response matters.

They're no longer simply complying….They're participating!

Willingness creates something force never can. When horses feel heard, they often become far more interested in listening too.

The horse that arrived expecting conflict starts looking for cooperation instead.

Not because it was made to….But because it wants to.

And for me, that's the most rewarding part of all.

The moment the horse realises it has a choice, and chooses to meet you halfway.

That's not obedience….that's the dream team!

And here's the best part. When a horse knows she can say no, she’s also more able to tell you when something hurts. A horse that trusts you'll listen doesn't need to hide her discomfort. That means you're far less likely to ride past a problem and much more likely to address it before it escalates.

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

💥Due to a cancellation, we have a LAST MINUTE CLINIC SPOT AVAILABLE!💥

Mid north coast NSW, Kerewong Horse Farm.
😆This Saturday and Sunday 12/13 September.
$695 includes two days of learning (arena, obstacle course and trail rides) ,horse yard, meals and accommodation.
Follow link for more details or to book the spot.

All inclusive two day/ one night clinic at a stunning Mid north coast venue. Total package price $695 per person. Includes clinic, accommodation and meals.

04/09/2026

I have two clinics coming up on the Mid North Coast NSW🤗

September @ Kerewong Horse Farm is full, however I am also trying a new venue, Longworth Coastal Horse Lodge, October 17/18 and theres plenty of spots available.

If you are looking for a gentle, calm and supportive environment for your first clinic, or your horses first clinic, this is it!!

Great for nervous owners and horses as well.

All you have to do is pack your things, show up and the rest will easily become some of the best memories you’ll make.

Group and one on one help with handling, groundwork and riding.

Bring your young horse, your old horse, or the one that really needs some help to be calm and centred.

We will be delving into ba****ck and bitless riding too, but there is no pressure to try if you’re not interested. Plenty of other things to practice!

💕Bring your open, curious mind along with your horse and your camping gear and be ready for some light bulb moments, some laughs and maybe even a few tears as we gently dig into the Hang-ups of your horse journey.

Link to more info and bookings ➡️ ethicalhorsemanship.com.au

03/09/2026

Surround yourself with those who truly see you…

01/09/2026

Do you want to join us for a Social morning workshop this Thursday at Salt Ash grounds?

A fun and low key outing for you and your horse, working on improving the relationship and enjoying group activities!
A mix of groundwork and ridden, but also a great outing for young ones not yet started under saddle.
Bring your questions and your curiosity for a morning of fun💕
Tea/ coffee and morning tea provided- byo lunch for afterwards.
$100pp, open 8.30 for 9am start.
Bookings on the website
ethicalhorsemanship.com.au

30/08/2026

So, your horse lost its forward.

There once was forward, and now there is not.

Could be absolutely zero forward, could be horse flying backwards or rearing, or could be forward but having to fight for it…demanding it from the horse so adamantly that she does it, but is not happy.

Let me say this.
We can fix the problem!!
But first, we must fix ‘the problem’ and that (whether you like it or not) starts with YOU!

So often, I see the now non-forward horse reluctantly giving forward, while simultaneously being held by the reins and pushed by the leg at the same time.
This here is your problem…..that’s great that your horse has an education and has always been happy to work in a frame…until now!
Now, you have a problem. Now, you must learn to strip everything back to basics.
We need to help this horse become willingly forward again, and that doesn’t start with holding her face OR driving her with leg.

My ‘field of expertise’ is not in the area of formal riding education. So, we can toss that out the window for now. Working with young horses, green horses and horses with behavioural problems does not support pretty riding. It’s all about clear and simple communication.

👀Eyes on the ground.
I say this a lot, to help people understand and feel comfortable that I am not attacking the way they ride. I am simply observing for the purpose of problem solving.
What I’m looking for is the communication between you and your horse in those moments, where it’s going right, and where it’s going wrong. We all develop habits over time that we don’t even realise until somebody points it out!

Fixing an issue such as the loss of a willing, free-flowing forward is not complicated at all.
It’s very simple, so long as you, the rider, are prepared to take the advice and put in the work.

For those old enough to remember the old Pantene adds, I will leave you with this quote.
“It wont happen overnight…..but it WILL happen” 😏😅

29/08/2026

This cute brumby gelding turned up a couple years ago for starting under saddle- I think both his owner and I had a misunderstanding and it was quickly realised I was too big for him….

We figured it all out, I was to put the work in on the ground and fully prepare him for ridden work, then on steps the owners son who might have been 12/13 at the time, and we worked on the basic stuff together to get them started.
There was a lot of long reining😜

They took him home after a couple weeks of blended lessons under saddle and that kid continued on like a trouper!! I received positive updates over the next few months which was great!

He was definitely tall enough momentarily, just enough to capture the proof 😂

💨💨FACT- When the blasting wind lifts the edge of the tarp up behind you, you grow an extra 3 hands at the wither🫨😑😂