Lisa Croft - Progressive Equitation

07/05/2026

Many riders, particularly in dressage, are taught to focus on their hands, the contact, and the outline of the horse. But there’s a subtle pattern I see time and time again that has far-reaching consequences: the inward rotation of the hands.

When riders turn their fists inward, even slightly, it often sets off a chain reaction through the body. The forearms rotate, the shoulders follow, and suddenly the chest narrows. As the shoulders roll forward, the rider’s posture changes in a way that’s easy to miss but significant in effect. The core, instead of being engaged and supportive, begins to “drop.”

This isn’t about strength in the traditional sense. It’s about alignment and functional stability. A dropped core means the rider is no longer able to effectively stabilise their trunk, and this impacts the seat. The pelvis loses its neutral balance, and the rider becomes less able to follow the horse’s movement.

From the horse’s perspective, this shift is anything but subtle. The change in the rider’s balance and tone alters the signals they receive through the saddle and reins. Often, we see horses respond with tension, loss of rhythm, or difficulty maintaining a consistent connection. What might feel like a problem in the horse is frequently rooted in the rider’s posture and coordination.

By simply bringing awareness to hand position and allowing the hands to return to a more neutral orientation, riders can help realign their shoulders, lift through the chest, and re-engage their core in a functional way. This creates a more stable, elastic seat, which in turn allows the horse to move more freely and correctly.

In equitation science, we look at these patterns not as faults, but as learned motor habits that can be reshaped with awareness and practice. Small changes in the rider’s organisation can have profound effects on the horse’s way of going.

22/04/2026

Falling Leaves & Hoofbeats 🍂🐎

Autumn in the Macedon Ranges brings cooler air and fresh horses.
I work with all disciplines, supporting both English and Western riders, with a focus on foundation training and improving responses both in-hand and under saddle.

I still have a few spots available for riders in the Macedon Ranges and surrounding areas.

Message me for more information.

19/04/2026

One of the ESI coaches in Canada has been putting out some excellent videos lately, definitely worth checking out. Link below.

Practical examples of how to interpret a horse's behaviour, rather than attributing motive. This technique allows you to start finding the solution to behavi...

15/04/2026

Today I had an opportunity to attend an online training session with Andrew McLean for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, focusing on the retraining of racehorses.

It is always valuable to see equitation science principles applied within large scale environments, especially racing, and when supporting horses as they transition into new careers.

It is encouraging to see a continued focus on evidence-based training, horse welfare, and rider education at this level. I have included a few screenshots from the session, with plenty of insights shared.

12/04/2026

Portland Jones, one of my mentors who is based in Western Australia, has a newly released book Equine. Making WA proud!💪💪💥💫🏆

📖🐴 A book recommendation from our ESI family!

We are excited to share that our good friend Dr Portland Jones has released her new book 'Equine: A Love Letter to The Horse'.

Her work traces 6,000 years of the human-horse relationship, combining science, history and storytelling from the Dawn Horse Eohippus to domestic horses in our lives today, and looks at how horses learn, with evidence-based, compassionate training methods and accessible science.

The Kindle version is available now, and the hard copy will be released on June 16.

https://amzn.asia/d/05wtzPpy

12/04/2026

There’s a beautifully simple thread running through equitation science that often gets overlooked in the search for “better riding”: Calmness is not a starting point, it is an outcome.

Work in learning theory reminds us that what we often label as relaxation is actually constructed through predictability.

When we strip it right back, the pathway becomes almost mathematical in its clarity:

Rhythm = consistency of speed and response
Consistency = predictability
Predictability = reduced anxiety
Reduced anxiety = calmness

In practice, rhythm is not just about tempo. It is about the horse being able to anticipate what comes next because the aids, responses, and outcomes are coherent and stable. That predictability removes the need for defensive arousal. The nervous system can settle because the environment makes sense.

So when we “establish rhythm,” we are not simply organising movement. We are quietly building emotional stability through behavioural clarity.

For practitioners, this shifts the goal. Not “create calmness,” but “create conditions where calmness becomes the logical consequence of predictability.”

It’s elegant science, and even more elegant horsemanship.

When we apply this to lunging, the picture becomes even more transparent. On the circle, the horse has fewer spatial choices, so the quality of predictability is almost entirely determined by the handler. If speed fluctuates, if transitions are unclear, or if the aid system is inconsistent, rhythm dissolves and uncertainty rises.

But when the handler maintains a clear, repeatable communication loop, voice, body position, and timing of reinforcement, the circle becomes a moving framework of safety. The horse learns: the same cue produces the same outcome, every time. Within that consistency, the gait steadies, the tempo stabilises, and anxiety drops away.

Good lunging is therefore not about “holding” the horse in a frame. It is about constructing a predictable behavioural loop on the circle, where rhythm is protected moment to moment. Calmness is not asked for. It emerges.

Below featuring Michelle & Jade during their lesson yesterday

05/04/2026

I was told recently that some lovely clients in VIC have left reviews, which I was unaware of because not all reviews showing to public due to "locked" profiles.

Thanks Skye, Donna, Janette and Mae for your lovely words - much appreciated 👏

05/04/2026

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a quick update regarding to lesson services.

Due to the ongoing increase in fuel costs and travel expenses, my lesson fee will be increasing from $100 to $110 per session, effective immediately. As a mobile coach, a significant part of what I offer is coming directly to you, and unfortunately these rising costs make this adjustment necessary.

I also want to clarify how bookings will work moving forward. I completely understand that everyone has preferred days and times, however I’m not able to accommodate highly specific scheduling requests. My availability is structured to allow me to travel efficiently between clients, and I’ll be offering lesson times based on what fits within those routes.

You’re very welcome to let me know your general availability, and I will do my best to match you with a suitable time, but I won’t be able to guarantee specific slots on request.

I truly value all of my clients and appreciate your understanding and support. This allows me to continue providing high-quality, consistent coaching to everyone.

Thank you,
Lisa

07/03/2026

FIRST, DO NO HARM - The Rider’s Responsibility

The idea of “Do No Harm” is a powerful ethical principle that reminds people to think before they act and avoid causing unnecessary damage to others. It is closely linked to the Hippocratic Oath, a long-standing medical pledge that pushes doctors to put patient safety first. Over time, the phrase has grown beyond hospitals and into everyday decision-making, challenging individuals and organizations to consider the ripple effects of their choices.

At its core, “Do No Harm” is about responsibility. It pushes people to pause and ask whether their actions will fix a problem or quietly make it worse. The principle encourages people to avoid actions that cause unnecessary damage and reminds them that just because something can be done does not always mean it should be. It also stresses the importance of thinking about consequences before acting, since every decision can affect others in ways that are not immediately obvious. Above all, it emphasizes placing safety and the wellbeing of others ahead of convenience or speed.

In simple terms, “Do No Harm” is a reminder that good intentions alone are not enough. What truly matters is the outcome, and the best decisions are the ones that solve problems without creating new ones.

When riding horses, the idea of “Do No Harm” means putting the horse’s welfare first in every decision you make. It also means paying attention to the horse’s physical and emotional condition. A responsible rider avoids pushing a horse beyond its limits, recognizes signs of discomfort, and adjusts their riding to keep the horse safe and healthy. In this way, “Do No Harm” reminds riders that good horsemanship is not just about control or performance, but about respect, care, and protecting the wellbeing of the horse.

Seen through the lens of “Do No Harm,” this approach raises an important question about how riders communicate with their horses. If a horse is being pushed forward by the legs while the hands pull back on the reins, the animal is trapped between mixed signals. Instead of moving in balance and understanding, the horse is simply trying to escape the pressure and caught between conflicting signals, trying desperately to make sense of what is being asked. The result is not self-carriage. It’s containment. True horsemanship asks riders to reconsider these methods and focus on clarity, softness, and patience, so the horse can move willingly rather than being forced into a shape. In that sense, “Do No Harm” becomes a reminder that the goal is not control through pressure, but partnership through understanding.

When a horse shortens its neck and closes its throat lash under pressure, the back stiffens, the ribcage sinks, and the shoulders lose freedom. The withers should lift, the ribs should open, and the horse should engage its body to carry the rider. Instead, tension and compensation take over. The horse looks “correct” to the human eye, but internally, it’s fighting for comfort.

Ride like this long enough, and the consequences pile up. Muscles meant to develop strength remain dormant while others brace in protest. Chronic tension runs through the neck and back, stride length shrinks, shoulder movement tightens, and forelimbs carry loads they weren’t built to bear. Fatigue, soreness, and even long-term soundness issues become a reality. Forcing a frame doesn’t create a strong horse. It builds a horse that survives the ride.

Think of it this way: if you went to the gym, you wouldn’t force your arms to curl a barbell without first building the muscles to do it. You wouldn’t expect strength to appear because you “looked strong” in the mirror while gripping the weight. You train progressively for core, shoulder, arm and leg strength until the lift feels effortless. Strength comes from repetition, correct form, and developing the right muscles over time, not from shortcuts or holding a pose. The same applies to a horse. Correct shape will develop only when the horse has the strength to carry itself. The outline is the consequence, not the goal.

Equitation Science makes this simple if you really think about it: a horse must have the strength to carry a rider comfortably while moving freely.

The rider’s job is not to hold the horse together, to sculpt a “frame,” or to chase visual perfection. It’s to create conditions for the horse to organise itself. When you focus on balance, relaxation, forward intent, and lightness of contact, the horse discovers posture on its own. Every coach and rider should operate with this principle in mind, placing the horse’s wellbeing at the centre of every training decision.

15/02/2026

Horses are incredible anticipators. Through classical conditioning, they notice patterns and cues far faster than we often realize. They feel the slightest shift of your weight, sense the tiniest tension in your fingers, and even read the rhythm of your breath. A glance, a gentle sigh, a subtle change in pace. They notice it all and begin preparing before a word is spoken or a touch is given.

This means the way we ask is just as important as what we ask.

In horse training, negative reinforcement is the principle behind pressure and release. You apply a cue or pressure, and the moment the horse responds correctly, you immediately release it. The release is the reward. The horse learns that the desired behavior ends the pressure.

Think of pressure like a dimmer switch, not an on/off button. Start very light, perhaps a one out of ten, and only increase gradually if needed. As soon as the horse responds, release completely. Over time, the horse begins to move from the lightest possible aids, anticipating relief and responding with ease.

Scaling from one to ten helps you stay consistent and precise. One is the tiniest hint. Ten is maximum effort. Most responses should come at one or two if your horse is attentive. The goal is always responsiveness, not brute force, so your horse learns that subtle cues are enough.

Starting with the lightest possible pressure and gradually increasing it is not just gentle. It is strategic. It teaches your horse that responding early is rewarded, that attentiveness pays off. Over time, this consistency and predictability create what many call softness. In reality, it is responsiveness: a horse that moves immediately and willingly to the lightest aids, often anticipating what you want before you even realize you are asking.

Train your cues like a whisper before a shout. Your horse will learn to listen, anticipate, and respond with subtlety and precision.

05/01/2026

This is such a huge issue within the industry, we have highly qualified and recommended people who do not understand behaviour and we are constantly pushing horses through pain.

Client story - inappropriate training 🐴

These stories are shared with permission but names have been changed to protect their privacy.

I was called out to see a horse, lets call him Harry, as they were having issues with him rearing in hand and under saddle. His owner had purchased him 6 months earlier from a home where he had hunted and competed heavily for several years and she just wanted to enjoy some hacking and low level dressage. As he had settled in his behaviour had become more unmanageable, he would seemingly randomly become extremely stressed in his paddock and gallop around until he was dripping with sweat, he was rearing and napping under saddle and had now started to rear on the short walk in from his paddock to the stable.

This horse had very recently been seen by a bodyworker who found “no issues” and cleared him to be ridden, and a saddle fitter who happily fitted a saddle to him. The owner was having fortnightly flatwork lessons with a local dressage rider and had also had a horsemanship trainer out to do some groundwork with him.

She showed me a video of her dressage lesson where she was being made to ride him on a 15m circle around the instructor in trot while he constantly tried to yank the reins out of her hands and his tail didn’t stop swishing, he was struggling so much that he looked extremely lame and was on three tracks. The instructor told her she just needed to work through it and he was trying to get out of it because she was too soft with him.

She then described the horsemanship lesson she’d had which involved chasing him around with a flag, making him back up, disengaging his quarters etc until he stopped protesting. She said he initially reared a lot and was very explosive but after about 20 minutes he seemed to settle and comply. She then tried to emulate this every day for 2 weeks afterwards like she’d been told, but every day he would come out really explosive before eventually settling. His owner just didn’t know what to do.

Upon seeing Harry, it was immediately apparent that he had a very weak, compromised body. Despite being a healthy weight, he had an extremely sunken appearance all through his neck, spine and back-end. There is no way it was appropriate for this horse to be ridden in this condition and I expressed my disappointment and concern than not one of the professionals involved with this horse had flagged this at all. These conversations are difficult, but I have to advocate for the horse.

We had a long conversation about healthy posture and musculature, the potential pain and discomfort issues and how this would affect his behaviour and how we can start to move forward.

We discussed his management first and foremost, if it was possible for him to stay with his pony companion in turnout and add enrichment to his stable. As with most behavioural issues this horse was extremely chronically stressed and our first port of call to help with this is to get our management the best we can.

We then took him into the arena and turned him loose with some empty buckets, we encouraged him to move from bucket to bucket by throwing low value food into each one, he was initially quite tense but started to relax into it. All of his associations with people and training had been so stressful that he naturally felt unsafe with people so it was going to take a while for his nervous system to calm down. We did maybe 10 minutes of this then took him back next to his friend to eat some hay. We then repeated it and took him back again.

We also taught him some basic nose targeting and did some treat scatters, just lots of low pressure, fun things to engage his brain and build positive associations with people again. At one point he spooked at something behind the hedge and froze, after about 5 seconds he touched the target with his nose and was back to being engaged with us. His owner couldn’t believe he hadn’t exploded.

Given how he presented and what had been going on I obviously referred the owner on to the vet for some investigations. Harry was diagnosed with stomach ulcers and arthritis in his neck, spine and hocks and his lovely owner immediately decided to not try to bring him back into ridden work. She medicated as appropriate and we worked with a physio on developing his body to help keep him comfortable. This looked like shaping movement and postures with positive reinforcement and enrichment games, not drilling over poles or up hills while he braced against us.

Harry now enjoys turnout with his pony friend, lots of hand walks with his owner and some quiet liberty work in the arena. His lovely owner has found a new joy in enjoying his company without riding him and would never have continued to do so if she knew he was in pain, but she just kept being told to push on.

Harry is a very sweet, gentle horse. At no time when I was there did he rear or explode, not because I am some magical horse whisperer, but because I didn’t put him in situations he couldn’t cope with. I can only imagine how painful being ridden or being chased and pulled around might have been for him. He was shouting out but nobody was translating this to his owner. This is such a huge issue within the industry, we have highly qualified and recommended people who do not understand behaviour and we are constantly pushing horses through pain.

I’ll leave you with this thought, if the training is causing your horse to be explosive, rear, pull back, try to get away from you or it just generally feels like a fight, it is not good for your horse regardless of what the end results looks like. I see so many compromised horses who are trying to communicate that they are struggling, and maybe that comes out as “bolshy” behaviour. We are then taking these compromised horses, hassling them into submission and calling it good horsemanship.

If training feels like a battle we are doing something wrong. 🐴