Evolve EQ

30/10/2025

It's been a long and character-building year…
One filled with huge life lessons, a few self-sabotage moments, and plenty of reflection. Pour a wine, and we shall share stories. 😉

But.....the sun is shining again, and the birds are singing ...theyre reminding me that everything is always shifting, always renewing. ✨️

What makes my heart sing right now is time like this - moments spent playing with someone like you, gorgeous little lady....
Fifteen minutes of halter training with this beautiful soul is all the therapy I need.

(Plus my fur kids at home - they’ll always be my safe space. 🐾)

There’s a change in the air.
A quiet little hum beneath the surface.
🦋

Enjoy her thinking faces. Isn't she divine... Love the honesty foals show. Wish humans could be the same.

💕

10/10/2025

This year…maybe even the last 4.... I’ve been living deep in a space of incongruence.

Not with the horses...

With myself!

It’s a strange, heavy space to live in -when your body keeps moving forward, but your soul feels stuck somewhere behind. Heavy, sad and alone.

I’ve been caught in a rut.
Sadness, fatigue, perseverance, resilience , the self awareness even cripples you... it is all braided together in a rope I’ve been clinging to with both hands.
Frustration
Care
Empathy
Vulnerability
Distrust
Discomfort

Balancing logic with feelings, betrayal with hope, overworking with emptiness.
The body has kept the score.
The mind has run for safety.
The soul clings vigilantly to self preservation.
In isolation it is easier.

Even the things that usually fill my cup - writing, sharing, reading, connecting, friendships, supporting... even teaching or playing with the horses...have felt like climbing uphill through mud.
Life &…the incongruence... just got in the way.

However on a plane, yesterday, somewhereover the east coast of Australia, i was suddenly filled with rage.
And I was mad at myself.
Until.
I realised.
It was congruence.
I should be violently angry.
Let it out.
It was like somethingl has shifted.
It has been a f-ing s**t time! (Excuse ny French!)

The rage IS congruence.

Not because i dont care, or want to be balanced... it is because I do matter.

The rage gave me
A flicker.
A whisper of self returning.
A voice I almost forgot.
A tiny light breaking through darkness.

And it got me thinking - this is exactly how some horses feel.
Unsafe
Stuck.
Alone.
Triggered.
Rage.

When a horse feels disconnected, unsure, shut down unsafe or braced - those of us who see.... we don’t demand more.

We stop
We soften.
We breathe.
We wait for the try.

We rebuild trust, one small release at a time. Meeting them where they are at!

We could even celebrate the flicker and the fire.

That’s where I’m at.
Re-learning to offer myself (and others) the same patience, softness, and grace that I give my horses.
Or setting a boundary.
Breathing.
Starting again, slowly.
Letting the sun peek around the corner.
A voice start to return from a suppression.

So

Give yourself grace.
Permission to loose congruence.
Because when you lose it, it gives you access to find it again.

The evolution continues.
Buckle up Mish.
Its a wild one.

07/07/2025

✨ So many methods. So many opinions. So many voices telling you how it "should" look. But at the end of the day, the horse doesn’t know any of those labels. They only know what is happening between you and them, in this moment. Now. Now. Now.

What if we gave ourselves permission to listen to our horse, to meet them where they are, and to let the method fit the horse - not the horse fit the method? A recipe for what that horse... that individual... requires? What if we gave ourselves the option to try things on, make mistakes and then see where we end up. Read, digest, watch and use what works with the horse standing right infront of you? 💙🩵💙

What if we trusted that the wisdom we’ve gathered is there to draw on, but the clearest teacher will always be the horse in front of us?

"Because following people won’t get us closer to the heart of the horse. Listening will. 🌻" thanks for the reminder Courtney 🥰✨

During my time with Page this weekend I found myself reflecting on(at least) three different pieces of wisdom imparted on me from both horse trainers and yoga.

This happened while we were in movement, feeling things out together.

One piece came from Belinda Bolsenbroek, around finding the thing that her body is set up to do easily on the moment, and go with that.
The other came from Brooke Dalsanto at Tranquility Horsemanship Coaching, with gentle strategies around helping Page refocus on the present.
And then there was my latest yoga learn, around being present with things with no attachment to the outcome.

I am sure so much more crept in unconsciously from over two decades of learning with horses, but these ones hit the loudest.

There are so many schools of thought around horses, from positive reinforcement to pressure/release, classical dressage to tackless riding, natural horsemanship to freedom based training, with many factions in between. If you're going to subscribe to anything, subscribe to the horse. Your horse knows best when it comes to which strategy, which tool, which philosophy works for them, noting that this might change moment by moment.

Following people won't get you closer to the heart of the horse. 🌻

07/07/2025

🌻 Clinic Update - This Sunday! 🌻

Yesterday’s wild weather meant we’ve moved our clinic to this Sunday, and we’re calling in all the sunshine 🌞 to join us!

Sadly, a few of our participants already had plans, which means a few lucky spots have opened up for anyone who felt they missed out.

If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your moment. It’s going to be a day full of learning, laughter, and connection - and yes, I can confirm the carrot cake alone is worth coming for.

Come share in the joy, grow your partnership, and soak up the good energy of a beautiful day spent with your horse and like-minded people.

Click the link below to grab your spot now before these openings fill! ( still plenty of room for those wanting to fencesit... or just eat cake. )

See you there. 🩵✨️

Due to the rain gods and crazy weather, we had to move this clinic back a week. So now we have 3 spaces available. See below to register and details.

EVOLVE WITH YOUR HORSE MINDFULLY

With Ann Montgomery of The Mindful Rider & Michelle Nord of Evolve_EQ

SAVE THE DATE: 13th July
Venue: Keysbrook.

Here is your link to book: https://www.themindfulrider.com.au/evolvemindfully-rider-keysbrook-july-1325-6969

We are thrilled to come together again—two passionate horsewomen who love helping riders build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their horses.

Have you ever noticed your horse trying to tell you something… but you weren’t quite sure what?

So often, our horses constantly communicate how they feel—physically, emotionally, and energetically—but as humans, we’re not always present enough to see, hear, or interpret those signals.

This clinic is your chance to make a difference.

To slow down, tune in, and listen more deeply.

To become the kind of partner your horse has been hoping for.

This unique clinic includes:

A 45-minute one-on-one session with Michelle Nord

—focusing on emotional attunement, behaviour, and deepening the relationship

A 45-minute one-on-one session with Ann Montgomery

—exploring mindful riding, body awareness, and effective communication

A relaxed Theory session to bring the pieces together

Light lunch, tea, coffee, and cake

—because learning should also nourish you

Only 3 places left available.

About Michelle Nord – Evolve_EQ

Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge in equine behaviour, psychology, and emotional awareness. Her gift lies in helping you understand what’s driving your horse’s anxiety, resistance, or emotional patterns—and how to gently guide them back to balance. You’ll explore practical ways to support your horse’s emotional well-being and deepen the trust between you.

This clinic is open to all riders, whether you’re working with a ridden horse or preparing a young horse for the future. Come as you are, and let’s meet your horse where they are.

“It’s time to build the kind of partnership your horse dreams about.”

We’d love you to join us,

Ann & Michelle

02/07/2025

Pressure Pressure.

Life moves fast. I know it certainly does for me...Meetings, deadlines, challenges, and constant change can leave us feeling like we’re always chasing the next thing. Work change, emotional change, relationship changes, stress, Time poor and rushing to make sure it all gets complete.

But growth doesn’t happen in the rush,. True leadership - in work, in life, and in the saddle - requires presence.

EQ. Reflection, emotional intelligence.
..Presence....

Horses remind us of this daily.
They take a deep breath in the moments.
They sigh when they relax.
They breathe more in presence.
They stand, quietly, in the paddock, aware of the world yet fully present with themselves.
Attuned to whats around them.

We could learn a lot from them.

Lick and chew a little.
Maybe yawn too.

When you feel the pressure building, give yourself permission to take one slow, conscious breath. Let it out fully. Even audibly. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice what softens. Do your toes uncurl? Does your jaw unclench?

It is not wasted time to pause. It is the foundation for growth, learning, and change - for yourself, for your team, your family, and for your horse.

You can’t support others if you’re running on empty.
You can’t lead with intention if you’re stuck in reaction.

I sure do know. 🤣 making time to breathe today.

You should too.

Take a moment today, just one. Breathe. Let it be the anchor that helps you step forward with clarity and compassion, no matter what the day holds.

Go sit with your horse for 5 minutes. No pressure, just presence.

Your horse will thank you. Your people will feel it. And you will, too.

22/05/2025

Great information. The internet can be such a wealthy source of education these days. Everything and everyone ag our doorstep. So privileged to have information to continue to grow understanding, knowledge and support better horse management.

Never stop learning.

19/05/2025

I have a little more in my brain to allow to flow through on this...

Every page has lessons in it.

Every perspective has something you can learn from and grow with.

Every debate is a great way to influence your thinking and help drive a more progressive mindset.

I still read all the posts... except when they are so long my time management gets triggered. 🙄

The reason I read is there is good information. There is learning. There is perspective. There is self reflection. There is new ideas, ways to test thoughts... sometimes it may be triggering, which again is a glimpse into something I personally need to "lick and chew on"

There is something to talk about!

Some of the conversations I've had on the back of the social media challenges have been super uplifting.

Just remember... you do what feels good for you.... and that hopefully feels better for your horse too... 🥰

Im here with no judgement on your journey, but I will honestly share from my perspective of what I feel is right at this point in time for horses.

I love the work I get the honour of doing with you. I love sitting in the woo. I love the wonderment of wonderland. It brings me great JOY to share it. And the horses say the same too. They show you. Their bodies will show you. Their minds and behaviour will show you. 😉

I will continue to stand solidly in my place, but happy to chat about alllllll the things too.

Who knows where we may end up!

🩵

It feels like tit for tat out there in this social media land..., just so many people stirring the same pot.

Honestly the essays we have to dedicate precious time reading. What's with all the word vomit?

The thing is. There is some truth in all the posts I read. Some a little triggering, as there are so many times context and "it depends " comes in. Some share slivers of gold, woven beneath the content . Some great ways of thinking just a little bit differently.

We are all on this planet to learn and grow. No one here has all the answers. No one here has all the knowledge. No one has met all the horses. No one has lived your life.

You are the only one that can try thoughts, concepts and process on. You.

You are the advocate for you... and your horse.

You get to choose.

You even get to change your mind. 🤯

I guess that's what we call... learning!?

Personally I love working where I am, it fills my cup. It fills my horses cups. My soul feels soooo good. And, secondly, I also have many tools in my toolbox if I need them. As the horses may need them.

In a world full of big egos and perspectives... find what works for you. Try it on. Enjoy the time learning.

Ill be over here sipping my chamomile tea without judgement of you or where you are at. I too have been down many roads to find what feels right to me. Sharing thoughts without judgement is so refreshing.

Go enjoy your choice. Enjoy your journey.

It's up to you.