Welcome to the EquiComfort Horsemanship Course by Equine Insights! I am so glad that you're here. I hope you find this course not only to be helpful, but also relaxing and even fun! Everything we do can be broken down into micro mini lessons that suit you and your horse and I encourage you to go at your own pace. Progress is not always linear, but I have attempted to put the lessons in the order that I believe flows best. The tone of this course is slow and steady with a lot of repetition in order to build confidence in the horse and handler.

Welcome Letter

Make Chores, Workouts, and Training Fun!

Anxiety Friendly Affirmations

Brief Overview - Horseback Riding Safety & Position Guide

Suggested Daily Routine

A Presentation With A Helpful List Of Tips And Tricks And Suggestions On When And Where To Use Them

Welcome!

Understanding the horse's prey instincts is crucial for training and handling. Natural Horsemanship training methods are centered around the horse's natural prey behaviors. When you understand the reasons why they think and behave the way they do, you can channel that energy to your advantage and work together towards achieving the desired outcomes. 

Equine Psychology Overview

An Overview Of Equine Vision And Its Possible Effects On Behavior

Reading Ear Positions To Help Determine Mood

Understanding The Importance Of Body Language

Common RED Flags In Horse Behavior

Getting Started

Common Problem Behaviors & Horse-Centered Solutions

Coldbloods, Warmbloods, and Hotbloods And Temperament

Natural Horsemanship

Special Note For Handling Hot Blood Horses

Understanding The Relationship Between Equine Psychology And Natural Horsemanship Methods

This chapter focuses on techniques to help you handle your horse safely on the ground through the development of ground manners.

Turn And Face Explanation Please START HERE

Turn And Face How To Video

Tips, Tricks, And Possible Accommodations For Using The Turn And Face Tactic

Tips And Tricks For Turn And Face Exercise

How to Put a Halter on a Horse and Buckle It

Catching A Horse Made Easier Using Turn And Face

Catching And Haltering Your Horse At Pasture

Teaching The Head Down Cue Using Pressure And Release On The Horse's Poll

Head Down Cue

Teaching The Head Down Cue For Handlers With Limited Mobility 

Asking The Horse To Put Their Head Down To Put The Halter On From A Seated Position

Tying A Quick Release Horse Knot

How To Tie A Quick Release Knot

Horse Buttons For Ground Manners

Programming Your Horse's Buttons To Isolate the Forehand And Hindquarter Movements On The Ground

Desensitizing A Horse's Legs

Leading The Horse Off Their Front Legs

Leading A Horse Off Their Front Legs

Gentling The Horse's Back Legs

Grooming Your Horse

Cleaning Out A Horse's Hooves 

More Comfortable Strategy Ideas For Hoof Cleaning

A More Comfortable Strategy For Cleaning Hooves

Head Up Cue

Establishing A Cue For The Horse To Put Their Head Up

Leading Off The Handler's Shoulder

Teaching Your Horse How To Lead Off Of Your Shoulder

Teaching A Horse To Back Up

Training Your Horse To Back Up

Beginning Lunging: A How-To Guide

Beginning Steps For Lunging

Advanced Lunging: Step-by-Step Guide

Advanced Lunging: A Step By Step Guide

Accommodation Idea For Lunging

A More Comfortable Way To Lunge

Trailer Loading Practice

Teaching Your Horse How To Side Pass From The Ground

Groundwork Quiz

Ground Work For When You're Not Ready To Ride Just Yet

Once you've established good ground manners with your horse, you may be ready to start focusing on riding soon. In this module, we will focus on some basic skills that your horse should have down before you get ready to climb in the saddle.

Saddling At Liberty

Training Your Horse To Stand Still For Saddling

Flexing From The Ground

Lunging Under Saddle

Pre-Riding Flexing And Lunging Session

Caution For Aligning To Mount Lesson

Aligning To Mount

Part 1 - Training Your Horse To Come Pick You Up From The Mounting Block

Part 2 - Training Your Horse To Come Pick You Up From The Mounting Block

Accommodation Ideas For Carrying Saddles

How To Put The Bridle On Your Horse From A Seated Position

Riding Readiness Quiz

Ground Work For When You're Almost Ready To Ride

This chapter is filled with helpful tips and ideas to get you back in the saddle at your own pace. Riding is as much about mental readiness as it is physically climbing aboard. This serious of lessons is designed in an inclusive and anxiety friendly manner to help you stay motivated.

Rider Mind And Body Work

Horseback Riding Safety & Position Guide

A Gentle Introduction to Horseback Riding

Lunging For Anxiety Relief Lesson Idea

Flexing Under Saddle

How To Flex Your Horse Under Saddle

Small Circles And One Rein Stops

Training Your Horse To Stop On Their Own When You Lose Your Balance

Beginner Rider Or Rider With Anxiety Quiz

Geting The Horse's Attention On The Rider

Keeping The Horse's Attention On The Rider

Corkscrew Exercise

Corkscrew Exercise - "Mobile Lunging"

“Floating Corkscrew” Exercise

Part 1 - Lateral Movements "Hindquarters"

Part 2 - Lateral Movement "Shoulders"

Part 3 - Lateral Movement "Half Pass And Side Pass Blue Print"

Adding Impulsion To Lateral Movements Gradually

Figure 8 Exercise

Roll Back Exercise

Making Wide Circles On A Relaxed Rein

Speed Control On Loose Rein Exercise

Introducing the Halt on a Loose Rein

Adding Speed During Wide Circles On A Loose Rein

Training Your Horse To Stop And Stand Still When You Lose Your Balance

Cavaletti Poles: Improving Rythym & Self Carriage

Advanced Rider Quiz

Ready To Ride

Horse training is rarely a straight, predictable path. Progress does not happen in a smooth upward line, and challenges are a normal and expected part of the process. As a horse learns, new problem behaviors may emerge, previously resolved issues can resurface, or temporary regression may occur as the horse adjusts to new expectations, environments, or levels of difficulty. These moments do not indicate failure—they are a natural part of learning and development.

Because of this, it is essential to address problem behaviors in a timely and thoughtful manner. When issues are ignored or delayed, they can become ingrained habits that are more difficult and potentially less safe to correct later. Early intervention helps maintain clear communication, protects both horse and handler, and supports consistent progress over time.

In this module, we will examine some of the most common behavioral concerns that arise during training and explore effective strategies for addressing them.

Things To Consider Before Addressing Problematic Behavior

Common Problem Behaviors & Horse-Centered Solutions Reminder

Horse Is Hard To Catch In The Pasture

Biting

Problem Solving Strategy For Biting

Kicking

Fixing Barn Sourness and Buddy Sour Behavior Part 1 

Part 1 - Bad Habits: Correcting Barn And Buddy Sour Behavior

Fixing Barn Sourness and Buddy Sour Behavior Part 2

Part 2 - Bad Habits: Correcting Barn And Buddy Sour Behavior

Grabbing the Bit, Bolting, and Rearing

Head Tossing Or Bracing Against The Bit

Bucking Part 1

Bucking Part 2

Problem Solving Horse Behavior Issues Quiz

Problem Solving For Problem Behaviors

Most riders today have at least some familiarity with natural horsemanship. We understand the foundational ideas, and many of us have applied them at different points in our journey. But knowing the concepts and knowing how to apply them to&nbsp;your&nbsp;reality are two very different things. What if your body doesn’t move the way it used to? What if your horse has physical limitations, is aging, or needs extra care? What if anxiety, chronic illness, injury, or fatigue make traditional training approaches feel overwhelming—or simply unrealistic? For many riders with physical limitations, these challenges can quietly compound. Horses may not receive consistent exercise or training, not because of a lack of care, but because energy, mobility, or confidence fluctuate. Over time, some horses develop habits that feel intimidating or unsafe, and riders can lose trust in themselves and their partnership. When that happens, even basic horsemanship can feel out of reach. If your horse needs a reset—and you want to be part of that process—this is where support matters most. There are a few common paths people consider. Hiring a professional trainer can be effective and offers peace of mind, though it often comes with significant cost and removes the rider from the learning process. Leasing a horse to a more experienced rider is another option, but it requires trust, clear boundaries, and comfort with shared responsibility—something not everyone feels ready for. And then there are riders who simply want to stay involved. Riders who value independence, connection, and learning how to adapt rather than step away. That’s who this course is for. I’ve created an inclusive, self-paced online horsemanship course designed to help riders apply natural horsemanship principles in gentler, more accessible, and more efficient ways. The focus is on&nbsp;when&nbsp;to use specific techniques,&nbsp;why&nbsp;they work, and&nbsp;how&nbsp;to adapt them to both human and equine limitations—without unnecessary strain. The course includes: • A step-by-step reconditioning framework • Problem-solving strategies for common behavioral challenges • Comfort-based adaptations for training and handling • Practical tips, tools, and small “hacks” that make daily horse care more manageable Everything is presented with empathy, realism, and respect for individual limits. Progress doesn’t have to be forceful to be effective. It’s important to be clear about what this course is—and isn’t. This is not a promise that horse ownership is easy, or that serious health challenges disappear with the right technique. Caring for a horse is a major responsibility, physically and emotionally, even under ideal circumstances. What this course&nbsp;does&nbsp;offer is guidance for riders who already have a horse and want to move forward thoughtfully, safely, and in the horse’s best interest—without pressure, shame, or unrealistic expectations. If you are considering horse ownership while managing physical limitations, it’s essential to weigh all variables carefully and honestly. With the right support systems, adaptive strategies, and professional guidance, many paths are possible. Programs such as therapeutic or supported riding can also be valuable resources, whether long-term or simply as a way to explore what feels sustainable. Only you know your body, your circumstances, and your goals. My role is not to decide what is right for you—but to offer support, education, and practical tools if you choose to continue this journey. We are all navigating change. Our bodies evolve. Our horses age. Life happens. If you’re looking for a straightforward, compassionate guide to navigating these realities with clarity and care, I would love to help you along the way.

EquiComfort is backed by a 1 day risk-free guarantee by providing you with  a one day CARD FREE trial, so that you can explore the course and make sure it's the right fit for you before you even enter card details or purchase!

TrailerLoadingPractice.mp4

EquiComfort
Anxiety-Friendly And Inclusivity Focused Horsemanship For Every Body.
Enrollment includes self-paced access to all of the course content for up to 2 years (730 days) from enrollment date  the lifetime of the course, whichever one comes first.

EquiComfort

EquiComfort is an online horsemanship course for riders who want calm, confident, and connected rides. Perfect for aging, anxious, or physically limited riders, it teaches practical techniques to reduce anxiety, build trust, and ride with ease—no fear or force required.

EquiComfort: Calm, Confident Horsemanship for Riders of All Abilities

Calm, confident, connected—ride or care for your horse with ease. Step-by-step horsemanship for every horse lover, no fear or force needed.

Course content

EquiComfort

Horse Diva

What you will learn

EquiComfort is backed by a 1 day risk-free guarantee by providing you with a one day CARD FREE trial, so that you can explore the course and make sure it's the right fit for you before you even enter card details or purchase!

This Course Includes