Foundation Horse Training

Our Physical & Emotional Preparation training philosophy is based on a deep respect for how horses learn best – by allowing them to learn for themselves. The result is a calmer, more responsive, less reactive horse that is physically, mentally, and emotionally engaged.

After all, who wouldn’t want to provide their horse with physical, mental, and emotional stimulation?

What is a foundation in a horse?

This Physical & Emotional Preparation [P.E.P.] method lays a solid foundation for everything from daily handling to advanced performance. It’s not just about solving one issue.

Many people mistake traditional groundwork – like lunging, long-reining, pole work – or accepting tack as the foundation of training.  However, the majority of these conventional, mainstream approaches often rely heavily on force.

A true foundation equips you to communicate meaningfully with your horse. It starts with the basics: ensuring the horse is mentally relaxed and physically without tension or elevated cortisol levels. Calmness is key—it allows the horse to learn and, in turn, builds bravery which leads to ultimate success.

By working through the horse’s parasympathetic nervous system, you engage with its natural emotional and behavioural language. Horses are not humans; their learning process is fundamentally different to humans:  understanding their instincts is vital. For over 55 million years, horses have survived by moving away from what feels unsafe. Movement is not disobedience—it’s a stress release that helps clear cortisol and restore balance.

We encourage you to research how cortisol functions in both horses and humans to understand this response.

Horse training from a horse’s perspective

Training from the horse’s perspective creates a responsive, trusting partnership. This strengthens your relationship and enhances consistency—whether on the ground, in the saddle, or in top-level competition.

A solid foundation creates calmness, which encourages bravery, builds leadership, and leads to long-term success. It means giving the horse time and space to learn at its own pace—and always teaching them as horses, not humans.

Understand how horses learn & build calmness

True foundation work is about understanding how horses learn and using that knowledge to teach essential skills and communication on the ground that carry over to riding. Our approach focuses on emotional and physical wellbeing, using the parasympathetic system to create safe, lasting connections. It’s not about dominance or submission—it’s about building a genuine partnership.

Shifting your perspective on how horses learn allows you to implement small, daily practices that support your long-term goals.

Book your free 30 minute WhatsApp consultation call with us now.

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