MY PHILOSOPHY
Equusynergy is based on the principle of synergy between horse and human. Synergy is defined as an interaction or cooperation that gives rise to a whole greater than the simple sum of its parts. The term comes from the Attic Greek word συνεργία (synergia), derived from συνεργÏŒς (synergos), meaning “working together.”
Our work is centred around a choice-informed, neuroscience-based approach that combines both positive and negative reinforcement techniques, while also incorporating the biomechanics of classical dressage.
Before the approach evolved into what it is today, the focus was primarily on “training the horse.” Over the years, we have shifted into a space where training is becoming a natural side effect of a deeper exploration of communication and relationship. We seek to know ourselves and our horses more deeply—to release brace, expand resilience, offer softness, find true confidence, develop balance, and enjoy the process of getting to know one another.
What we choose to train in each session becomes simply a topic of conversation—a vehicle through which this intention is expressed experientially.
In the Online Classroom, you’ll experience this evolution: from refined biomechanics used to develop the horse’s body, to choice-based positive reinforcement to understand their mind, to an integrative approach that focuses on our own internal landscape—on becoming better conversationalists and on what we, as humans, can offer our horses in the training space.
Alongside my passion for learning, I love sharing my experience with others—so they too can enjoy the wonderful feeling of connection that comes when their horses enthusiastically choose to participate in the training journey.
​
For an overview of our main guiding essences as well as the references and resources to books, videos, and other inspiring horse-people see:
Cultivating Regulation & Resilience in Horses & Humans;
Exploring Positive Reinforcement & Targeting as a Training Tool;
Developing Healthy Biomechanics through Classical Principles.
MY JOURNEY
I was fortunate enough to have had horses in my life from a very young age. I competed in Childrens and Juniors through into Adults in Showing, Dressage, Show Jumping, and Equitation with the gorgeous boy in the photo above who I am lucky enough to still have in my life - enjoying his retirement at 33 years old.
My first big paradigm shift happened in my early twenties after reading the book Tug of War: Classical versus Modern Dressage by Gerd Heuschmann. After reading that book, I couldn't continue training the way I had been so I decided to pivot my training approach towards more classically based principles and I started searching for books and resources to help me on my new path.
Another shift happened shortly after this; I broke my ankle on a hike and couldn't ride for a year.
I found and watched The Path of the Horse and discovered Linda Kohanov's and Mark Rashid's work with horses. I immediately bought their books and immersed myself in them while my ankle was healing. Their books opened my eyes to a beautiful way of connecting with myself and horses. Once my ankle was healed enough to walk, I started exploring groundwork, particularly liberty, with my horses, and this sparked a whole new passion in me!
Now I had a strong desire to find a way to combine the beauty of classical dressage with the freedom and relationship of liberty. I explored many avenues and found inspiration from the amazing horse-people worldwide who were on a similar path. I filled my bookshelves and read everything I could get my hands on, all the while exploring this new path with my horses and, for the first time in my life, listening to them and having them lead and teach me. It was exactly the medicine I needed to counter-balance and shift the old habits I had learned and practiced in my early years.
In my search for a balance between liberty and classical dressage, I came across Straightness Training® in 2013. I gained an incredible amount of experience and knowledge through the ST Program from 2014 when I joined the Mastery Program until 2022. During my time in ST, I graduated Grade 4 with my amazing partner, Delightful, in the Liberty, Groundwork, Lungeing, Work in hand, and Riding ST pillars. I also studied and qualified as a certified ST Instructor in 2015 and worked as an Online Coach in the Straightness Training Academy® from 2020 until 2022.
When Karen Rohlf started her fabulous podcast series, Horse Training in Harmony, I was so inspired by what she was sharing that I decided to sign up for her Dressage Naturally Habits for Excellent Horsemanship online course to revisit my basics. This took me back to my roots with all of my horses, and I rebuilt our foundations with fresh eyes. When we came back to our classical work, I felt an even better understanding for what I had learned so far.
In November 2022, I joined Mustang Maddy's HCA Connection Course, where I studied more about compassionate, ethical, science-based horsemanship centralised around the principles and practice of positive reinforcement training. This was an eye-opening experience and I learned so much from the incredibly well-thought-through materials in this online course.
During 2023, I expanded my learning in the realm of the mammalian nervous system and brain in Stephen Peters's (PsyD, ABN) and Sarah Schlote's (MA, RP, CCC, SEP) Equuscience course. This course offers an absolute wealth of knowledge and has given me the tools to understand my horses, myself, and the learning process on a much deeper level.
​
I also dipped my toes into The Trust Technique®â€‹ and started exploring James French's approach to mindfulness around my horses. But I only started weaving this into the actual training sessions later in 2025 after crossing paths with Kate Muller's work here in South Africa. Kate is a Trust Technique practitioner, whose unique way of explaining the approach helped me to understand it better.
During 2024, I focused on deepening my understanding and application of positive reinforcement training in Hannah Weston and Rachel Bedingfield's Online Connection Training Classroom, Where I learned about the emotional systems that drive mammalian behaviour (Emotions and Ethology - The Emotional Brain Systems in Horses) and how to prioritize and nurture more relaxation in connection with positive reinforcement.
​​
As well as the above resources, I am deeply inspired by Dr. Nadine Lindblom's beautiful way of exploring choice-based R+ liberty work with her horses. I joined her wonderful Online Classroom in 2025 and this as well as her super podcast, The Essence of Liberty, have provided another level of nuance, guidance, and inspiration in my work with my horses.
​
I am now combining my classical training experience with what I learned from this combination of resources and my horses and I are loving it! I am continuing to learn more every day - seeking a balance of safety and expression, motivation and relaxation, and training the physical body in a mutually beneficial way while taking care of the mental/emotional aspects of both human and horse.
My horses continue to be, as they have always been, the true North in my journey to becoming the best partner I can be for them. I will also continue to share everything I am learning with my students, both in person and in my Online Classroom, as my understanding and experience evolve.
