Industry Reflections

Imagine it this way: domestic horses are like a bunch of foster kids who lost their families at a young age and then grew up in group homes. Some of them adapt — they learn the rules, figure out how to navigate the system, and become pretty functional adults. But others? They end up with all sorts of underlying stress, social issues, or maladaptive behaviors that follow them for life.

Learning new things often feels like standing in unfamiliar footing—literally and figuratively. Like a young horse learning to carry a rider for the first time, it’s awkward, uncertain, and not always graceful. You feel exposed. You wobble. You make mistakes.

Because here’s the thing I’ve learned over and over again: horses don’t lie. They don’t fight unless they have no other option. They’re peace-seeking, cooperative beings by nature. And when they resist, it’s almost always because they’re confused, in pain, or scared. Not because they’re trying to make your life hard.

What if, like horses, we practiced these skills daily so that in times of crisis, we could trust each other to move as one?

Our human teams could learn a thing or two from watching how a herd moves together. By understanding and applying these principles

Leadership is not about control or “managing”—it is about creating a foundation of trust and security so that others can focus on their job.

What if we took a lesson from the wild herds—what if we stopped wasting energy on internal competition and focused on collective success?

Jade was, in every way, Indy’s opposite. Where Indy was calm and confident, Jade was excitable and insecure.

Let’s stop believing the myth that we have to do it all alone. Like a lone horse in a pasture, our self-sufficiency is working against us.

Mae saw Sage as a direct threat. The mustang, in turn, was not one to back down from a challenge. Aggression changed both of them.

Put on your muck boots because we’re going deep into the metaphor of seeing how composting can show us the best way to process life's “shit"

The concept of "belonging" is often misunderstood. Many believe that it involves fitting in, but it's about being true to yourself.

In the equestrian industry, where everyone is deeply connected to their animals and livelihoods, these conflicts can be particularly complex

An equestrian barn should be a place of tranquility, where both humans and horses can experience joy and connection. But what happens...

Join these five equestrian panelists, led by Human-Herd consultant, Danielle Aamodt, of Enso Equine Services. Panelists: Paula Bliss...

At our core, we’re wired for connection. When we build trust with the people around us, we feel safer, more supported, and less alone.