Sympatico Equine

Sympatico Equine Certified equine behavior consultant with an emphasis on horsemanship + classical dressage + working equitation + welfare-centric horsekeeping

All things classical dressage, horsemanship, and welfare-centric horsekeeping

In addition to dressage lessons for strength and long-term soundness, I help horses (and their owners) overcome behavior challenges that cause distress, disruption, or pose a risk to themselves or those around them. My goal is not only to help your horse, but also to strengthen your relationship with them. My approach i

s science-based and considers the entire animal. With an emphasis on mental/physical well-being and positive reinforcement, I will observe, analyze, and put together a customized plan for your equine. Email [email protected] for more information

08/06/2026

I have an announcement. This account isn't going away, but it won't be as active.

I've started a new venture for equestrian apparel (Cantle & Co.) and want to focus my extra energy on that. I've been at it for a few months now, and it immediately felt more "right."

I love teaching and training in person, and I will still do that on the side, for fun, but I am only going to post to Sympatico when it makes sense, rather than trying to keep it active for the sake of keeping it active.

I also have a separate day job in animal behavior, for those who are not aware.

Thus, I have to protect what I do in my free time and, while, I love an extra income stream because horses are $$$$, it still has to feel right. I still have to enjoy it, and it can't take significant time away from my horses and dogs.

That's what Sympatico Equine posting has begun to feel like. While I love sharing educational horsemanship here, it often feels hard. There's a weight to it, because everything is so nuanced. Each post takes time to write and edit, and even still I often feel like I can't capture the true art and science of what I'm trying to convey. It's exhausting, to be honest.

My apparel business has felt lighter. It has provided me with an enjoyable creative outlet that isn't directly working with animals (also important in my opinion!).

I design one item every few days, schedule a few posts that share my products and/or beautiful snippets from this lifestyle with some inspiration sprinkled on top, and that's it.

The weight has been lifted and I want to stick with this to see where it takes me.

So, if you'd be so kind as to support my Etsy shop in its first few months, I'd be grateful.

Every sale and review helps bolster my shop and my reputation.

And if you have any constructive feedback, please contact me at Cantle & Co. or via Etsy messages, because I'm all ears!

Thank you, friends 🪶

07/28/2026

Come with me for a training session with my dog because my barn lot is way too wet to train the horses and Im tired of working in my tiny barn aisle 😅

This was a quick little midday session so no, I didn't precut my cheese stick.

Nooshi is great at going to her "place" in the house but I haven't worked much on sending her there from greater distances, nor have we worked on it outside much.

I want to be able to send her to her place around the horses, while waiting to work sheep, or just out and about as a safety mechanism. So, here we go!

07/05/2026

I think its inconsiderate to set off giant explosives without a heads up around neighbors who may have PTSD and/or have animals. Have a conversation.

I also think people should prepare their animals. We know its going to happen. No, you can't prevent everything from happening, but you can prepare them and it might be the difference between a serious injury (or death) and a manageable holiday.

Training, counter conditioning, adding more hay stations, giving higher value hay (I mix a little Alfalfa in), sound machines, calming supplements, and anti-anxiety medication are all things that can help.

What do you do to prepare yours?

06/29/2026

Spent a few days in my happy place with my little Mimosa flower 🌼

We got to learn under the wonderful Pippa Callanan and build on everything we worked towards last time.

These clinics are my happy place because they're a place where the horse's body and mind are always put first

Where hyperflexion is never the goal and "tongue
sandwiches" are not on the menu

Where the aids are to request or restore, but never maintain

Where your hands and forearms belong to the horse's mouth

Where, regardless of how advanced a horse is, their emotional safety and readiness to learn is prioritized, above all. Nothing else is done until then

And yet, every horse/rider comes away having made incredible progress by the end of three days

And, equally as important, its a space where every single rider is cheering the others on

Where the pieces of my last 10 years of riding are all starting to come together, with a clear path forward and a very exciting vision

Its a place that is starting to feel like home, and Im so grateful for it, and for this little yellow mare 💛

I was drawn to the French classical (or maybe just more true, historical) school of thought many many years ago, after deciding I couldn't keep riding and training horses without two things.

I needed 1) better cue clarity and 2) biomechanical correctness. I wanted my horses and my clients horses to be able to learn the language without such confusion or frustration or force, and I desperately wanted it to make their bodies better and stronger over the course of their life rather than breaking them down (which was the pattern I'd seen repeat time and time again).

It bothered me that I was riding horses with a near constant leg (or whip, or spurs) into a heavy, weighted contact. Go and stop, at the same time.

How were they to know, with absolute certainty, what we were actually asking?

A half halt, a full halt, lengthen stride, shorten stride, piaffe or passage, shoulder in or renvers, it all felt extremely muddy.

Finding Racinet's work began to change that. And now, finding the school of Légèreté-- and someone skilled like Pippa to guide us-- has brought it all full circle.

My heart is full �

06/19/2026

2.5 minutes of trailer loading practice sped up into 50 seconds because, well, its boring.

Like it should be.

I've seen and heard of too many bad trsiler accidents to be satisfied cramming my horse into a trailer and locking the bumper bar as fast as possible. Thats an accident waiting to happen.

Plus, I'm almost always working by myself so I need mine to self load and stand while I lock the bumper bar and close the back.

While trailering is inherently stressful, I want to make it as tolerable as possible, and help them create a positive association with the trailer.

How about you?

06/13/2026

A lot can happen in ten years 🤍

06/10/2026

Help! How do I get him un-stuck without breaking him?

06/10/2026

...or anything that plugs into an outlet

I use this long range remote controlled switch (no wifi required) for my electric fence.

That way I don't have to walk back to my tack room to plus/unplug it when I need to turn the fence off.

Or back on-- like when I get back up to the house and realize I forgot to switch it back on 🫠

Saves time, steps, and hassle.

Game changer for fixing fences, riding, and just my general busy schedule.

It's also nice for my non-horsey husband! So, if I'm not here and he needs to turn the fence off for something, he can do it without having to go into the barn/pasture with my horses.

Affiliate link in my bio (linktr.ee/sympaticoequine)

06/09/2026

I haven't seen any science on it, but I've never thought standing around stomping flies all day was good for their body.

Knowing what I know about hoof health, the tendons and joints in the legs, how the hind end is so connected to the poll (and tongue)....

I just can't help but think stomping flies for hours could lead to soreness, stiffness, unnecessary/uneven wear and tear, etc.

Sure, flies are normal, but in captivity horses dont always have the same options for fly control as they would if "wild," like mud, water, shrubs, etc.

But, I haven't ever found fly boots that held up to the wear and tear of a normal horse in 24/7 turnout.

Except for these ones! They last, they work, and they even clean up nice in the wash!

Link in bio (linktree) to this, and more, of my favorite welfare-centered products

Address

Asheville, NC And Surrounding Areas
Asheville, NC
28805

Telephone

+17346604688

Website

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