Would you like to be able to communicate clearly with your

horse?
Ever feel that your horse doesnt understand you?
Are you still looking for the key to unlock that magical
relationship?
From my experience the over-riding answer to all these questions
is yes. Well if this is your challenge this e-book was designed specifically for you. The good news is
that is not your fault. Interspecies communication is a challenge but there is a way to unlock the
secrets that make developing a better relationship possible.
Have you ever been taught about horse behaviour and specifically what are horses natural
instincts? Well without this basic information there is no way that you can really have any insight
into what your horse is trying to communicate to you. Instinctive Horsemanship is all about
entering the horses world and understanding how he thinks and acts. In this e-book I am going to
teach you Horse Speak and share with you the secrets of wild horses and how they communicate.
So what are horses natural instincts?
Generally when I ask my students what they think a horses natural instincts are the answers I get
include:

Basic instinct to eat, drink and reproduce

Acts as part of a TEAM

A flight as opposed to fight animal

Lives in harmony

Prey animal

Respect for each others personal space

Herd instinct

Desire for leadership

Need for companionship

Observant and aware at all times

Need for social interaction

Curious and playful

Relies on safety in numbers

In this e-book I am going to focus on seven steps which I believe will help you communicate with
your horse in his language and in my opinion form the foundation for better understanding your
horse. Clearly if you are able to communicate more clearly with your horse you can then develop a
better relationship and partnership.

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.

Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848

1)

Companionship

Horses have an innate desire for companionship. Just think about it. Do you ever see any pictures of
horses alone in the wild? No, as a horse thrives on the companionship of others. Part of this desire
for friendship and companionship is a self-preservation instinct. It is simply too much like hard work
to keep yourself safe from predators if you are all alone. When would you have time to sleep? By
living together in a herd there is a collective responsibility to ensure each others safety. The herd
also provides much needed social interaction and provides the horse with a sense of belonging.

In the wild horses naturally do two things:

Hang out together doing something

Hang out together do nothing

When did you last hang out with your horse doing nothing?

2)

Formal Introductions

Horses have a very formal system of introducing themselves to one another, much more formal
than humans. In fact every time two horses meet they are always asking themselves these
questions:

Who are you?

What do you want?

How do you operate?

So when you approach your horse he is also asking these same questions. By asking these questions
the horse is able to establish whether he wants a relationship with you, and if so, it helps determine
the level of connection in the relationship.

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.

Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848

Horses always greet each other face to face. They often snort and whinny and maybe strike a leg.
The style of introduction gives their new acquaintances an idea of their status within the herd.
How often do you formally introduce yourself to your horse and how often do you approach
directly from the front?

3)

Act as a TEAM

As we all know when a group of people get together there is chaos unless there is some kind of
structure and organisation to the group. Horses appear to me to have found the secret to
developing great teamwork as they have a structure that everyone
everyone understands and so everyone
knows their role within the team.
In the wild a stallion and the lead mare work together as a team to protect the herd from danger.
They do this by positioning themselves at the front and the rear of the herd.
The dynamic
ic between the lead mare and stallion is really interesting as it is fundamentally based on
the principle of a horses natural instincts which are:

To follow any movement moving away from them

To retreat from any movement that is approaching

How often do you

u retreat from your horse in order to draw him to you?

4)

Respect for Personal Space

Personal space is defined by the area around you in which you feel totally comfortable. If someone
violates this space you often feel uncomfortable and in some cases threatened.
threatened. Setting boundaries
allows us to respect ourselves and keeps us from inappropriate behaviour.

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru

Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.
Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848

Horses implicitly know where each others boundaries lie and by not violating each others
boundaries they ensure unity and harmony in the herd. One thing that is important to note is that
boundaries are flexible, one minute the horse might allow another horse to graze right next to him
(virtually eating the same blade of grass) and then in another moment the horse might decide that
he wants a larger boundary around him.

Think about what implications this has for catching your horse.
When did you last catch your horse, or do they catch you?

5)

Desire for Leadership

Its tough being a leader, whether you are a human or a horse, and a horses natural desire, given a
choice, is not to lead. The leadership job in a herd of horses is tough and demanding as you need to
keep everyone safe from predators. There is little time to rest and relax as the leader must always
be vigilant to what is happening in the environment. After all you dont want a lion to come and
attack you and the herd you are responsible for.
It is this fear of predators and danger in the surrounding environment that means that a horse is
happy for someone else to take on the responsibility to keep them safe BUT, and this is a really big
BUT if a horse ever thinks that the leader is not doing their job properly, then their natural instinct is
to step up and take over the leadership position.
What type of leader are you being for your horse? Can your horse trust you to make good
decisions all the time?

6)

Paying Attention

We have already discussed that horses are prey animals and therefore need to always be aware of
predators that might attack them. That means that within the herd everyone has a responsibility to
be aware of what is happening around them. The horse that fails to pay attention means that he is
not a team player as he is putting the herd in danger and in the wild would be reprimanded by the
lead mare.
If a leader always needs to be aware and paying attention what kind of leader are you being to your
horse if you are constantly on your mobile phone, or chatting with friends, when you are with him?
How can you expect your horse to see you as a leader when you are so distracted? Who knows that

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.

Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848

mountain lion might be just round the corner and you cant/dont see them. We cant expect our
horse to pay attention to us if we dont pay attention to them.
Are you paying attention all the time you are with your horse?

7)

Reading Body Language

So now you know about a horses natural instincts how can you use this information to
communicate with him. The answer lies in the use of body language. Horses are master
communicators and use body language all the time to move one another. In the wild they rarely
talk to one another as this would signal to predators where they are.
In the human world we focus on word and yet did you know that over 93% of human
communication is non-verbal? That means that only 7% is concerned with the words we speak. What
people will remember will be driven by our physiological state and actions. Therefore, there is a
commonality that we have when communicating with horses as we can use this 93% to develop our
body language.
What is your body language communicating to your horse?

The Horses Code

If I pay attention and accept your authority and leadership, you have no right to pick on me
If you ask me to do something for my own good, I am happy to follow your leadership
I do not pay attention, I will lose my rank
If you are a tough guy , we can see who is dominant right now
If I cannot find a leader to follow, it is my job to lead

How to Use Instinctive Horsemanship with Your Horse

Like learning any language, learning Horse Speak and how to act like a lead horse takes time and
consistent practice and you need a good coach to help and support you as you unlock this blueprint.
The most effective method I have discovered of helping people learn how to apply Instinctive
Horsemanship in their day to day lives with their horses is through Carolyn Resnicks Seven
Waterhole Rituals. As the only Accredited Carolyn Resnick Trainer in Europe I would be delighted
to be your guide on this journey as you develop a method to create a better bond, trust and respect
with your horse so that you can achieve a great relationship.
Just give me a call or check out my website www.connect-thru-horses.com to find out more about
my programmes

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.

Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848

ABOUT JULIA FELTON

Julia Felton is passionate about helping people learn how to lead their own lives so that they can
better communicate with their horses and so develop a real working relationship for the betterment
of both parties. She is also passionate about ensuring that people understand the great life lessons
that horses can teach us. Horses have taught me some of the best life lessons I have ever learnt and
there is no greater critic of your leadership style than a horse.
Julia worked for twenty years in the corporate sector for companies like Andersen and Deloitte,
before she had the courage to take the plunge and pursue her real passion of working with horses.
Over the last five years she has been on a journey of self discovery that has taken her across the
world and seen her train and work with a number of natural horsemen and inspiring personal
development coaches.
Julia is a qualified riding instructor (BHSAI) and holds the Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate in
Natural Horsemanship. She is an accredited Instructor of the Carolyn Resnick Method of
Connecting with Horses through Instinctive Horsemanship. Additionally Julia is a Licensed
HorseDream Practitioner in Horse Assisted Education (one of only ten in the UK) and member of
the European Association of Horse Assisted Educators (EAHAE). She is also an NLP Practitioner and
Coach and describes herself as a student of life.
My biggest reward in life is to see my clients become empowered to take more control of their
lives through the lessons that they learn whilst developing a better relationship with their horse. To
make choices that help them connect to their own success and find their own dreams. I truly believe
that greatness lies within all of us and it is my honour to help people on that journey to discover
their true self.
To learn about the programmes Julia runs please contact her on +44 7710 124848, Julia@connectthru-horses.com or visit my website: www.connect-thru-horses.com

Connect to me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/connectthruhorses

Follow me on Twitter at julia_felton

Read my blog at www.equineinspiredleadership.wordpress.com

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.

Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848

DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This e-book is dedicated to my equine mentor Carolyn Resnick who opened my eyes to the world of
horse behaviour and helped me develop better relationships with my own horses. I am eternally
grateful to her for all that she has shared with me and for allowing me to teach her Method. It is a
great privilege and one I dont take lightly.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this e-book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express prior permission from the author. You do
not have any rights to sell, distribute or giveaway this e-book or any portion of this publication.
DISCLAIMER AND TERMS OF USE
This e-book contains the ideas and opinions of the author. The information contained in this e-book
is strictly for educational purposes only. If you wish to apply the ideas contained in this publication,
you are taking full responsibility for your own actions. The author disclaims any warranties
(expressed or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author shall in no
event be held liable to any party for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or
consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of the material, which is provided
as is and without warranties.

2011 Julia Felton Connect-Thru-Horses. All rights reserved.

Julia@connect-thru-horses.com
07710 124848