Heart to Heart - Equine

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Heart to Heart - Equine

Helping people and horses connect, communicate and be together in harmony. After years of teaching horse riding to children and adults, my focus has expanded.

Welcome to Heart to Heart - Equine, where I, Tamar, am dedicated to providing a unique approach to horsemanship that goes beyond traditional riding instruction. While I still emphasize a solid foundation, proper balance, and technical skills, I realized there was more to discover and share. I craved more advanced methods, deeper research, and a stronger commitment to helping both horses and humans

. I observed that in many riding schools, there was limited time for students to truly connect with their horses. The focus was primarily on the mechanics of riding, similar to learning how to drive. This approach neglected the most crucial elements of horsemanship, leaving both horses and riders lacking in understanding and trust. In 2003, I completed my international IGEQ Level 1 certificate in Israel, which is acknowledged by the New Zealand equivalent, ESNZ. In 2020, I established Heart to Heart - Equine, originally known as Heart to Heart Riding, with the intention of offering something different. In 2021, my human and equine family relocated to the beautiful Far North of New Zealand. My journey is one of continuous growth and exploration. I am constantly researching and learning from experts around the world, as well as within my local community. Through this ongoing process, I have discovered new ways of training horses that prioritize the spirit of the horse and the human, departing from traditional techniques. My approach emphasizes listening and learning from the horses themselves, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability.. My mission is deeply rooted in my desire to enhance the lives of horses by helping their human counterparts. Throughout the years, I have witnessed countless misunderstandings between humans and horses, including my own mistakes. These misunderstandings have significant consequences, affecting the well-being of horses, compromising the safety of people, and hindering the progress both parties can achieve together. I am fueled by a passionate drive to eliminate these mistakes as much as possible by providing support and guidance to horse owners, current and future, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of their horses and achieve better results. At Heart to Heart - Equine, we offer a range of services, including workshops, private and semi-private lessons, online coaching, online course. I invite you to join me on this transformative journey of horsemanship, where we prioritize the heart-to-heart connection with horses above all else. Together, let's unlock the true potential of our partnership with these incredible animals.

12/06/2026

For so many years, I was told to ask my horse to be soft, without truly offering softness myself.

I expected my horse to respect me, without taking the time to offer respect in return.

I expected my horse to respond to me, without learning how to listen and respond to them.

It took me a long time to realise that the relationship I wanted couldn't be built through expectations alone.

The qualities we hope to see in our horses are often the very qualities we need to bring to the partnership ourselves.

When we become softer, clearer, more respectful and more responsive, our horses often have an easier time doing the same.

Sometimes the biggest change in our horse starts with a change in us.

08/06/2026

What is "softness" to you?

05/06/2026

When we work with our horses, it's easy to focus on whether they can do something.

Can they turn?
Can they stop?
Can they move forward?

But an equally important question is: how are they doing it?

Take something as simple as a turn. At first, we teach the horse to understand the cue and turn in the correct direction. That's an important step.

But that's not where the journey ends.

Over time, we can refine that response. The horse becomes lighter, more balanced, more attentive. Eventually, the turn might happen because the rider simply looks in the direction they want to go, and the horse follows that intention.

Between those two points lies the real work.

That's where we develop softness, self-carriage, balance, responsiveness and connection. It's where both horse and rider learn to communicate with greater subtlety and understanding.

The goal isn't just to get the horse to do the thing.

The goal is to help them do it with ease, confidence and lightness.

What is one thing you're currently working on making softer or lighter with your horse?

01/06/2026

What happened to my baby? 😅

She’s only 9 months old and is already becoming so confident that she has started “bullying” the “bully”. I don’t really believe horses are bullies, but I think we all know what people mean when they use that word — one horse pushing another out of the way, usually around food. In other words, resource guarding.

I honestly didn’t expect my sweet little foal to start moving my ponies around at this age, especially Diamond. He may be the smallest one, but he’s still slightly bigger than her and has always had a strong personality. Is it because he and my older mare pony are getting older? Are they simply being gentle with her and allowing some of this behaviour?

The other two mares definitely don’t allow it, although they’ve both been very patient and gentle with her up until now.

I’m watching all of this with fascination. A strong, confident horse is developing right in front of my eyes. As she grows into her yearling stage, I’ll need to watch carefully how she interacts with children too, as she will likely begin testing boundaries with humans as well.

It’s so interesting seeing personality, confidence, and social skills emerge this early.

Tell me about your foals — what were they like socially as youngsters?

30/05/2026

When tacking up your horse, remember there’s a living being inside that body. Try to do things with your horse, not to your horse.

Before putting the saddle blanket on, show it to them and ask for permission. Do the same with the saddle. It helps you notice any discomfort or resistance, even in horses that don’t show it clearly.

If you want a partner, not a slave, practise a two-way conversation and listen to your horse’s feedback.

27/05/2026

One of the things I love most about teaching is that no two moments are ever the same.

Even after many years of teaching riding, I still find myself in situations where a student is struggling, and I’m searching for the right words to help them. Every person is unique. Every horse is unique. Every horse and rider combination is unique. Add the environment, emotions, timing and energy of that particular moment, and every lesson becomes something completely new.

Yesterday, one of my students struggled to move my horse forward. I got on to have a feel for myself, and as often happens, my horse responded lightly and willingly. Moments like that force me to slow down and really notice what I’m doing differently. Some of it is experience, and experience simply takes time. But there is also huge value in becoming more aware of the tiny things we do without even thinking anymore.

This is something I especially enjoy when teaching adults. We can go deeper into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of horsemanship and riding, and explore them with more precision and understanding.

I often tell my students that less is more when it comes to cues. Horses are incredibly sensitive to clarity, timing and feel. But when the horse doesn’t respond, the natural instinct is often to do more. More pressure, more movement, more effort.

What we’ve been working on recently is how to do more with less.

Not stronger. Not harder.

More focused.

More precise.

More intentional.

When we develop better control over our own body, while staying soft and connected, we can direct our energy in a way the horse understands clearly. And often, that’s when everything starts to feel lighter.

Have you ever had a moment with your horse where doing less actually gave you a better result?

23/05/2026

Who else has a poodle pony?

19/05/2026

Releasing tension from your body, so your horse can mirror relaxation.

In our next live call, inside the Calm & Connected Horse community, I will share with you a technique that helps me and my students to release tension from our body, so we can help our horses relax.

Did you know that your horse mirrors your own energy? Training excersizers are great, but the langugae horses understand best is the silent language of your body.

What I will share with you is something that anyone can do at any time. It's also great to do before you go to sleep.

The live call is tomorrow, but members in the community can listen to it at any time.

Comment CALM if you want the link to join.

16/05/2026

What is your biggest challenge with your horse at the moment?
I'm planning my next live talk and I'd love to answer your questions.

12/05/2026

Horses are big, fast flighty animals, and yet we do some amazing things with them. How do we make sure we stay safe?

This is the topic for the next live call inside the Calm & Connected Horse comminuty.

It's free to join! Become a founding member and get access to the live call and previous conversations on topics relating to horse behaviour and informed training.

Let me know if you want the link.

Address

Kaitaia

Telephone

+64226924675

Website

http://www.heart2heart-equine.com/, https://www.skool.com/compassionate-horse-lovers-3874/about

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