Horse Sense with Janine Clarke

09/10/2026

A little update from Horse Sense 💜🐴

Some of you may have already heard that I was involved in a serious accident while working with a horse on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, I've suffered a badly broken ankle and have been in hospital since. I'm heading into surgery today, with a significant recovery ahead of me, with six weeks of being unable to put weight on my leg.

It's been a pretty overwhelming few days, and I'm still coming to terms with what this means, both personally and for Horse Sense.

For now, all practical lessons, training and programs will need to be put on hold until I have a clearer picture of my recovery.

But Horse Sense isn't going anywhere 💜

While I may not be able to be out there working alongside you and your horses for a while, my passion for helping horses and humans understand each other certainly hasn't changed.

I'm hoping to use some of this time to share more educational content, training insights and videos to help you continue developing your awareness, communication and connection with your horses.

Because there's so much more to horsemanship than what we do physically. Understanding our horses, recognising their emotional state and developing our own awareness are all things we can continue learning and improving.

To everyone who has reached out, offered help or sent messages of support, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has meant more than you know.

I may be a little slower responding to messages while I recover, but please know how much I appreciate hearing from you.

I'll keep you updated as things progress, and I look forward to being back with you and your horses when I'm able.

Thank you for being part of the Horse Sense community.

Warmly
Janine 💜
Horse Sense Education

30/09/2026

20/09/2026

FINAL SPOT | Spring Confidence & Connection Program 🐴

Watch the progression in this clip. If you are tired of your horse bracing or feeling tense, second-guessing yourself and want to build genuine trust that carries from groundwork straight into the saddle, this program is designed for you. This 5-week program is about replacing that effort with feel, softness, and genuine confidence.

Where: Mount Evelyn Pony Club
When: Saturday, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and Nov 7 (4 hours each)
Format: Small group + dedicated support between sessions

Only one place left for this spring intake.

💬 Wondering if it's suitable for you or your horse?
Drop an "INFO" in the comments below or send me a quick DM to claim it!
(Full details and booking link are pinned in the comments).

31/08/2026

Two new faces have arrived for Horse Development 😊

Meet Sammy (left) and Bratley (right)

Both horses, along with their owners, have been making great progress through lessons, but we reached a point where some intensive Horse Development would help create stronger foundations before continuing their journey together.

Sammy is learning a new level of willingness, confidence and consistency, while Bratley is building the positive foundations and emotional resilience she'll need as she develops into a confident young horse.

The best part of Horse Development isn't just what the horses learn while they're here. It's bringing that understanding back to their owners so the partnership can continue to grow long after they head home.

I'm looking forward to sharing their journey over the coming weeks 💜🐴

27/08/2026

What happens when your horse is confident at home… but a different environment, new obstacle or a little more pressure changes everything?

My upcoming Groundwork, Courage & Focus Clinic is designed to help you and your horse work through those moments with more confidence, clarity and connection.

Participants can work from the ground or under saddle depending on where they and their horse are at. We use obstacles, changing environments and practical exercises to build:

- clearer communication and responsiveness
- confidence when things feel unfamiliar
- the ability to think and process rather than simply react
- better understanding of what your horse needs in the moment
- skills that carry from groundwork into ridden work

This isn’t about forcing horses through obstacles or seeing who can get the job done fastest. It’s about developing a horse who can stay mentally connected with you when things change, and helping you become clearer and more confident in how you support them.

Groundwork, Courage & Focus Clinic
Saturday 12 September
Mount Evelyn Pony Club

Small group so there is plenty of individual coaching and time to work with each horse and rider where they are.

If this sounds like something you and your horse would benefit from, I’d love to have you join us. 💜🐴

Full details and booking link in the comments below.

26/08/2026

First day back at work after Vietnam… 🇻🇳

I was a bit tired, but felt ready to get back into it.

Apparently my brain had other ideas. 🤦‍♀️😂

Stopped for a loo break before a lesson, looked down and realised I’d been working all morning like this. 😵‍💫🤣

Lucky my job requires more heart and intuition than matching footwear! 😂🐴💜

08/08/2026

Hi everyone :), just letting you know (if you don't already) that I’ll be away from 10 August and returning to work from 26 August.

I’m heading off for a well-earned break in Vietnam, which I’m very excited about ☀️

This year has been the busiest Horse Sense has ever been, and I’m so grateful for everyone I’ve had the opportunity to work with -helping you and your horse build more confidence, clarity and connection.

Messages and enquiries may be a little slower while I’m away, but I’ll get back to everyone as soon as I can.

If you’d like to check availability or book a lesson for when I’m back, you’re welcome to use the online booking system through my website:
https://www.horsesenseeducation.com.au/book-online

I’m looking forward to continuing to support you and your horse when I return.

Janine 🐴💜

06/08/2026

🌸Spring Clinics & Programs with Horse Sense 🌸

Reset your relationship with your horse through education that goes deeper than simply “exposure,” obstacles or desensitising.

These upcoming clinics and programs are designed to help you and your horse build confidence, communication, emotional regulation, responsiveness and trust - without flooding the horse or teaching them to shut down.

This work is about helping horses understand, think, process and stay connected, so confidence is built from the inside out.

About Janine

Janine Clarke has been studying horsemanship, training horses and teaching people for 26 years in the Yarra Valley.

Her background includes extensive study in natural horsemanship, horse development, equine behaviour, groundwork, riding with communication, calm and balance, float loading, confidence building and education.

Janine has completed high-level instructor training and intensive horse development programs, along with qualifications in equine studies, instructing, training and assessment, and adult education.
She is known for her ability to work with a wide range of horses - from foals, young and green horses through to sensitive, shut-down, reactive, dominant or senior horses - and with people from children through to adults in their 80s, supporting different personalities, learning styles, confidence levels and experience levels.

Previous participants have described Horse Sense clinics and programs as supportive, educational, empowering, confidence-building and fun. They have shared that they felt clearer in their communication, more confident handling their horses through pressure or uncertainty, and better able to understand what their horse needed in the moment.

Upcoming Spring Education...

Groundwork, Courage & Focus Clinic

📅 Date: 12 September

A one-day clinic focused on helping horses and humans build clearer communication, confidence, responsiveness and calm connection through groundwork, obstacles and pressure/change.
This clinic builds the foundations that carry through to ridden work, with ridden application included where suitable.

More information and registration:
https://www.horsesenseeducation.com.au/event-details/groundwork-courage-focus-clinic

Confidence & Connection Program - 5 Saturday Series

📅 Starts: 3 October

A comprehensive 5 week program helping horse and human build confidence, communication, emotional regulation and trust - from groundwork through to ridden work.

This program includes structured education, practical exercises, simulations, obstacles, patterns, confidence-building activities, extensive notes, visual learning resources and support between sessions in a small encouraging group environment.

You’ll also be included in a private participant chat to share wins, ask questions, receive prompts, stay connected and keep momentum throughout the 5 weeks.

The program is designed to give you practical strategies for building confidence, processing pressure, improving communication, understanding your horse’s behaviour, and carrying connection into many different situations - including new environments and leaving the arena.

More information and registration:
https://www.horsesenseeducation.com.au/event-details/confidence-connection-program-1

November clinics
More options will be released soon.

Places are limited to keep the learning supportive, practical and individualised.

I’d love to see you and your horse there 💜

03/08/2026

I’ve just learned that Monty Roberts passed away at the end of July.

His book, The Man Who Listens to Horses, was my first introduction to the kind of work I do today. I resonated so deeply with his story and was incredibly inspired by his commitment to researching and understanding horses, including his study of wild deer and how he learned to communicate with and train them.

His work and outlook have had an enormous impact on so many people, helping to make the horse world a kinder and more understanding place. His influence will continue through all those he inspired to listen more closely to horses.

May he rest in peace. 🥀🕊️

31/07/2026

Happy birthday to all the horses 💜🐴

I captured this beautiful moment yesterday with a young student of mine, Anika, and her lovely mare, Alora and it really stayed with me.

One of the most inspiring parts of this work is not just seeing horses change, but seeing people change with them.

When we really listen, horses teach us so much. They teach us to be quieter, softer, more present and more aware. They ask us to lead with more clarity, more feel and more partnership.

In a world where so much with horses can be rushed, forceful or harmful, moments like this mean even more.

This is the kind of horsemanship that inspires me every day - the quiet, honest connection that can grow between humans and horses when we truly allow it. 💜