Susan Nienaber - Equine Behaviourist

04/09/2026

Is your horse "anxious," or are they scared of something specific?

I put those two questions side by side in a piece I just wrote, because a label often feels safe to use, but does it really help your horse?

I've been enjoying writing more of my longer stuff over on Substack lately, it gives space for intentional thought pieces in a way Facebook doesn't. This one's about spooky horses and why we reach for labels in the first place.

Full piece here 👇

We LOVE putting labels on horse’s behaviour.“ My horse is anxious” or “they are spooky”, are words I hear often when working with clients.

04/08/2026

I would love your help 🙏

Could you fill out a 2 minute survey for me?

As some of you know before going into horses I was well on my way to become an environmental scientist. And I actually did my MSc with the idea of combining my environmental science degree with my horse degree, but I went the behaviour/coaching route instead.

So, I'm looking into paddock & land management on horse properties - erosion, overgrazing, pasture health - and want real data before I build anything further (I would love to try to get some funding for this)

2 minutes of your time = entry into the draw for a free 30-min property/paddock consultation with me. Closes Friday.

Link here 👉

We would love to hear about how you manage your horse's environment to help us provide better resources and support.

23/07/2026

With the weather looking rough this weekend, I'm swapping group lessons for something just as useful: a goal-setting session for the season ahead. 60 minutes, small group, at mine.

We'll dig into what's actually holding you back right now... could be your horse, could be a skill, could be what's going on in your head

You'll walk away with a real plan, one you can take to any coach you work with.

Saturday 1pm | 213 Takarau Gorge Road | $25
DM to grab a spot 🐴

If you know someone who'd get value from this, I'd love it if you passed it on 🙏 Seriously, you would 100% make my day!!

22/07/2026

The most common mistake people make with a spooky horse is trying to stop them from looking at the scary thing.

Most "spooky" horses aren't actually spooky. They're just:

1. On the forehand

2. Behind the vertical

3. Not straight in their body

Fix those, and most horses are nowhere near as reactive as you think...

17/07/2026

I don't need you to train your horse the way I train my horse.

Most coaches teach you how they would ride their own horses. Which means that every time you ride with a new coach you likely get conflicting advice.

I don't make you change the way you ask, I just help you check if your horse actually understands what you're asking, and you're not asking

1. Multiple questions at the same time
2. Use 10 different cues for the same thing
3. Expect your horse to just understand something they don't know properly

But I don't care if you're using classical dressage, some of the many versions of natural horsemanship, or if you only ever want to voice commands.

The "language" you use to communicate with your horse doesn't change the way your horse learns

15/07/2026

The end might surprise you 😉

12/07/2026

Your riding lessons don't have to be about making huge amounts of progress. Most amateur riders just want to enjoy themselves, want an hour to not have to be in charge, or to feel safe with a horse they're a bit scared of.

08/07/2026

This Saturday (11 July) — Weekend Breakdown: Riding corners

Most riders don’t use their corners well. In this group lesson you’ll learn to properly utilise — what is often — wasted space.

9–11am | Ohariu | 60 min group lessons | $55 + $10 arena fee

Message me to grab a spot

03/07/2026

Most horses don't need to be rugged over winter if their management is able to provide them with the basics they need.

It's not cold that makes horses skinny — horse don't expand energy to keep themselves warm untillnit gets belown 5°, and then fibre will be the thing they need to heat up. The big culprit for losing weight is usually stress. So as long as their herd is stable, they have enough to eat, shelter and get enough sleep, they generally keep their weight on well.

Horses that overheat in rugs that are too warm is a bigger problem than horses being a little bit cold. As their systems are great at the heating up part, it's the cooling down that they find difficult.

Now that doesn't mean never rug. Remember there is always nuance!!!! But a lot of horses would be much happier if they can regulate their own temperature.

Would you be able to leave your horses without a cover on year round?

01/07/2026

Weekend Group Lessons

I'm running some weekend group lessons over winter
Groups of 2–4 riders (45-60 mins)
$55 per person + arena fee if applicable.

This Saturday (4 July) from 9am @ 299 Takarau gorge road, Ohariu Valley ($10 arena fee)
The theme is "nail that centre line" - so we’ll focus on straight lines and square halts.

I know most of you are good weather riders so no lessons when it's raining.

Let me know if you're keen, or pass it on to anyone who might be! 😄