Two Strides Forward Equestrian

06/19/2026

This emotional/energy hygiene piece is so so so important for the equines working in the wellness space! Notice how many of the tips listed here are just meeting the horse’s needs of Friends, Forage and Freedom.
The more we can allow our horses to live like horses, the less work we have to do to maintain their mental health. Just one more reason to prioritize species appropriate lifestyle!

One thing I think we need to talk about more in equine-assisted work is what happens for the horse AFTER the session. 🐴

Not in a“they absorbed the trauma” way.

But in a very real nervous-system, behaviour, and welfare-based way.

Horses are incredible beings. They are constantly scanning body language, tension, unpredictability, movement, tone, breathing patterns, and environmental changes around them.

During sessions, many horses are exposed to:
• heightened emotion
• dysregulation
• sudden movement or noise
• inconsistent energy
• crying
• frustration
• hypervigilance
• multiple handlers or clients across the day

Even very experienced horses can become mentally fatigued.

That does not mean they are “bad / not for use "therapy" horses”.
It means they are living beings participating in emotionally demanding environments.

As facilitators, part of ethical practice is learning to observe not just obvious stress signals, but subtle cumulative ones too.

Things like:
• increased tension through the face or jaw
• frequent yawning or licking
• walking away more than usual
• becoming shut down or overly compliant
• irritability with herd mates afterwards
• increased startle responses
• changes in appetite or engagement
• difficulty settling
• repetitive behaviours
• tension during catching or tacking up

Sometimes what a horse needs after sessions is not more work, training, or stimulation.

They need decompression.

That might look like:
🌿 turnout and free movement
🌿 access to herd mates
🌿 quiet hay time
🌿 mutual grooming opportunities
🌿 rolling and natural behaviours
🌿 lower stimulation
🌿 consistent routines
🌿 pauses between clients
🌿 facilitators regulating themselves before the next session

Good equine-assisted practice should include emotional and physical welfare planning for the horse, not just the client.

Because welfare is not just about food, rugs, and saddle fit.

It is also about respecting the horse’s emotional bandwidth, choice, communication, and recovery. 🤍

06/17/2026

This is so true! Developing our empathy and ability to listen and hold space, fine-tuning our feel, letting go of judgement and agendas, strengthening patience, fostering curiosity…. Horses help us with all these things and more, which not only helps us become better horse people, but better people.

06/15/2026

Come and join us for some dressage fun in the sun!

Clinic date for July is getting closer to being at capacity with 7 registered for the July 4th date. We still have room, but need you to register soon. Registration form is located here:

https://forms.gle/rVDqedb6YxQiNU9R6

Our intention is to run the clinic with individual 45 minute private lessons or 1 hour semiprivate lessons (2 participants). Semiprivate lessons will be paired with humans and horses with similar needs. Clinic timings and format will be based on registration numbers. Maximum number of participants is limited to 14.

We are looking forward to hosting everyone in our welcoming and inclusive environment. Any style of tack is fine. In hand, totally okay too. Let’s learn together this summer!

06/14/2026

There are many ways to do groundwork, from horsemanship style, to lungeing, to trick training. I enjoy playing with all of these approaches and they all have a lot of mental and physical benefits when done well.
Classically-inspired groundwork in a bridle or cavesson is another way to do groundwork with your horse. It takes a bit of coordination on our part, but it is a valuable approach to have in our toolkit. Want to explore this style of dressage in-hand? Groundwork partnerships are welcome at my upcoming dressage clinic series with the Metchosin Equestrian Society

06/14/2026

Another great clinic day for Part 2 of my liberty clinic series with the Back Country Horsemen of BC - SVI! It was great to see some familiar faces and to make some new acquaintances, and of course have a fun day playing with ponies!

06/11/2026

Tacking up at liberty is a great thing to do at least semi-regularly to ensure that your horse is still enthusiastic and willing about the process. Ideally we are paying attention to all the little signals so that we notice if something is wrong even if our horse is tied, but many horses might not feel safe to express discomfort if they’ve been punished for it in the past, or there could be an element of learned helplessness where they won’t bother to try to show how they really feel if they are unable to leave.
Make sure you have a safe area to try this in where another horse won’t come charging up and causing problems, or your horse won’t be constantly dragging away to eat grass or get into trouble. Ideally in a space larger than a stall, as your horse may still feel stuck if it’s a small space, or may panic trying to exit through a small door.
And of course you have to be aware, for example being ready to sn**ch your saddle off if the horse starts to leave before the girth is done up.
If your horse chooses to stick around when they have the option to leave, it tells you a lot about how they really feel about being tacked up/ridden. But remember, yes means nothing if no isn’t an option!

Is this something you’ve ever tried with your horse? Let me know in the comments!

06/09/2026

Talk about turning lemons into lemonade, and fast!
After I had to cancel my June dressage clinic, the Metchosin Equestrian Society reached out, and after some very efficient organization on their end, I am pleased to announce this clinic series which is a fundraiser for their club.
If you are interested in dressage that is accessible, inclusive, classically informed while also taking into account modern equine neuroscience, then this clinic series is for you!
All levels and abilities welcome, including in-hand partnerships. Contact MES to register.

Last minute additions for our summer schedule! We have an amazing (and affordable!) dressage clinic series for everyone. This series is in partnership with Two strides Forward Equestrian. It will provide riders (or in hand participants) an amazing opportunity to build their skills with Helgi Sangret and then with “homework” between each session. Sessions can be taken individually or as a group with a discount.

Registration, with all clinic details, is now open and found here:

https://forms.gle/rx8dUrZxDbP32acx7

Meet your clinician:

Helgi Sangret has been a certified coach for 20 years, and currently holds 4 different certifications. Her background includes dressage, eventing, Pony Club, natural horsemanship, starting and training horses, positive reinforcement training, therapeutic riding and para/dressage, and vaulting. Helgi enjoys blending French classical dressage principles with modern neuroscience and ethology and somatic biomechanics, all within a trauma-informed approach that is gentle and accessible for both horse and human.

Let’s learn and ride together this summer team MES!

06/08/2026

Sad to announce that I have made the call to cancel this clinic due to low registration. If there is enough interest I can look at maybe rescheduling in the fall.
And of course if anyone is intrigued by the premise of inclusive dressage and wants to schedule a private session, or organize a group or mini-clinic at your facility, please reach out! I have a couple of dates still available this summer.