What does that even mean? To be connected to your horse? Different horse people will have different interpretations. For some it’s about the contact on the rein,  for others it is the way the horse uses their back and works through the body, accepting the riders aids. For others again it’s about the relationship they have with the horse on the ground, the feel on the line or the ability to manoeuvre the horse. For yet others it is about liberty work.

But for me it is much deeper than that. It is about the connection that I have with any horse I meet, the ability to tune into the horse, “listen” to what they have to say, and start to build a relationship upon that connection that I can tune into in every aspect of our interactions, whether that is ‘training’ or just spending time together.

For some this takes on a nearly spiritual aspect, for others it is very much grounded in evidence and science. I believe it can be both. We can develop our eye, our ability to read body language and also our understanding of how the horse is feeling in all our interactions. We can also develop our self awareness, our ability to recognise and release our own tensions and understand the impact that we have on the horse. This has the potential to turn the interactions with the horse from a one way street of instruction and demands, into a metaphorical dance, a conversation. The power of connection.

On Sat 9th March near Drumahoe I will be exploring this topic in a practical workshop. We will start and end the day with a yoga session delivered by Jai Hunter and in between we will explore what connecting with a horse really means and how we can develop our ‘feel’ and ability to listen to the horse leading to an improved relationship and, if we wish it (and the horse agrees!), improved performance in training sessions in the ground and in the saddle.

The workshop is nearly sold out, just a few spaces remaining.

Jai Hunter is a Clinical Aromatherapist, Senior Yoga teacher, Zoocog practitioner and Reiki Master working with both horse and rider to attain better connection, balance and partnership.

The workshop will take place at Jai’s yard and yoga space in Gortree Road, near Drumahoe.


Cost for the day is £55 per person. Spaces are limited. Please contact

Helen (spencehorsesense@gmail.com, 07773 157428)

or Jai (hunteraromatics@gmail.com, 07780022034)

for further information and booking forms.

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