What I do and how I can help
My goal is to help you have fun connecting with your horse's mind in a way that he enjoys and understands, so that he can perform without brace, but with lightness through feel.
I coach students privately, in workshops and in clinics. See Coaching and Clinics for more information. I also offer video-based coaching on-line for remote students, with more on-line learning opportunities in the works!
I combine my passion, 35 years experience with horses, fascination with psychology and a sincere desire to inspire and assist my students on their own journey with horses.
"The Feel of Release" refers to a joyful ease, alive in an ongoing flow between horse and rider, whether riding around the farm, out blazing a trail or in the show ring - the better the feel of the connection, the better and more enjoyable the performance..
I work with novice to advanced riders, whether to build harmony, develop a better feel, smooth out trouble spots, or to release brace in a performance horse, for increased athleticism - and heart.
I invite you to join in and explore the threads of Feel, Timing and Balance, both separately and as we weave them together with The Feel of Release.
Feel and Lightness go hand in hand - one augments the other. I am eager to share with you the fascinating world of true Feel for your horse as an individual, and to support you in gaining knowledge about the actual facts the horse depends on to offer Lightness in your ride.
I will help you navigate a tangible roadmap to a better connection with your horses through feel - by bridging from your existing background, adding to that value, and preparing you to make the most of the real key: your creativity.
Roadmap to a Better Connection Through Feel

The old masters (read below) shared much in common, not least a life-style in which their daily work required many hours on horseback - and with it the opportunity to refine their feel with rich input direct from the horse. Let's be realistic - most of us do not live in the saddle now, much as we may wish it! So how can we develop "our better feel" and a better connection with our horses today? |
First and foremost, I would like to offer a special note of gratitude to the mentors who have influenced me in the most defining ways - from my early instructors in Maisons Lafitte, and St-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, and team coaches in classical riding, show jumping and cross country in the UK, to the compelling teachings of Leslie Desmond, co-author of Bill Dorrance's book "True Horsemanship through Feel" in more recent years. Leslie showed me a place Bill knew about that she "had not known existed, or could exist, between a horse and a human being". Nor had I . It is an exquisite connection that serves in all things, and brings me more joy with horses than I ever imagined.
Quick Links
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I say by doing three main things:
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I invite you to dive in! Come and immerse into the threads of Feel, Timing and Balance, both separately and as we weave them together with The Feel of Release for a light and joyful ride. Discover the direct line to your horse! Feel and Lightness go hand in hand - one augments the other. The art of releasing a horse through feel is refined by timely technique as it relates to locomotion and balance, while developing a better feel for the horse enhances technique. It is all about connection - a good ongoing feel your horse can rely on that serves in all things, from riding in the woods, in the show ring, or over fences to going out to feed at night, trimming feet in the pasture or caring for an injury. Getting with the true feel of the horse is creative and just plain captivating!Come join the fun! |
Why "The Art of Riding" ?
The Art of Riding is about:
- the art of reading horses
- the art of offering sureness with quality
- the art of refining skills
- the art of relaxing and having fun!
- THE ART OF DEVELOPING FEEL, through RELEASE
Working with horses through 'Feel' depends on our ability to be present in the moment, with a clear mind and open senses. Thinking about being with horses as an art form opens the mind to the spirit of a wonderful creature, and reconnects us to our own natural senses, that are so often dampened in the hustle and bustle of life.
Enjoy!
A Brief Guide to True Feel Between Horse and Human
Offering true feel means to bring your full presence, sureness and clarity to the moment with your horse. Horses are masterful readers of body language and intention – they've had to be, in order to survive as the hunted in the wild. Horses constantly “read” us, and respond in the moment to how we present ourselves. The response we get from our horse will mirror what we offer from the inside, because this is the true feel the horse operates from in his natural state.
We decide to 'own' a horse and ask him to accommodate our ideas on what we would like to be doing. It is up to us to offer our horses a meaningful connection based on respect and trust. Otherwise, why would he put energy into offering us his best?
And then there is the holy grail of lightness... Horses all have it, just look at them in the pasture. We can only expect lightness under saddle if we preserve his natural balance and 'life' - by shaping the kind of life you see when he frolics out in the field, not dulling that life. This is achieved through lightness in our riding and meaningful flow between horse and rider through feel, with variety of activity and purpose.
As we understand and build in these ingredients of true feel, we see how it touches the horse's whole being. He’s sure, he’s proud, he knows he is safe and he sees value in your partnership. In this state of mind, he is freed to offer all he has without hesitation or brace. This is the hallmark of working with true feel through just “release”, without the escalation of pressure. It is about horses performing with heart.