True horsemanship is a continuing journey, a path of personal growth in which assumptions are challenged, inner resources are discovered, and joys you never imagined come into your life. Equinimity was founded to support and encourage you and your horse on that journey.

Christy Jemail, Trainer

I work to develop horse’s skills, behavior, and confidence while ensuring a positive partnership between horse and rider. I achieve this by:

  • Establishing Trust & Respect – Teaching the horse to respond calmly and willingly to cues.
  • Improving Performance – Enhancing the horse’s athletic ability, responsiveness, and coordination.
  • Correcting Behavioral Issues – Addressing problems such as bucking, rearing, or resistance.
  • Building Rider Confidence – Helping riders understand and communicate effectively with their horse.
  • Ensuring Safety – Training horses to be reliable, calm, and safe in various environments.
  • Preparing for Specific Disciplines – Tailoring training to match a horse’s intended job, whether for trail riding, dressage, jumping, or ranch work.

As a trainer I not only develop the horse’s skills but also educate the rider on how to maintain and improve their connection with the horse over time.

WhyI start with groundwork:

  • Build Trust & Respect – Building a bond by establishing clear communication and leadership. Groundwork helps your horse see you as a confident, fair leader, building mutual trust and respect.
  • Improve Responsiveness – I teach horses to yield to pressure and respond to subtle cues. This enhances their ability to understand and follow commands both on the ground and under saddle.
  • Increase Safety – Reduce spookiness and will prevent dangerous behaviors before mounting. Groundwork helps desensitize horses to new situations, making them more reliable in new environments.
  • Correct Bad Habits – Address issues like pushiness, rushing, or resistance before they escalate. Consistent groundwork training will help eliminate undesirable behaviors.

It is important to create a positive learning experience that builds confidence in both horses and riders. When your horse trusts your leadership, they are more relaxed and willing to work.

Why pony your horse?

  • Develops Social Skills – Teaches proper herd behavior and how to move with other horses.
  • Builds Confidence – Exposes young or green-broke horses to new environments and experiences with a calm, seasoned companion.
  • Teaches Leading Skills – Helps young horses learn to follow and respond to cues from a more experienced horse while introducing them to new terrain.
  • Introduces Riding Cues – Helps young horses get used to rein pressure, speed control, and direction changes.

Ponying is a great way to prepare a young or green horse for future training and builds trust in a safe, controlled manner.

As a trainer, I help create a trusting partnership between horse & rider.

True horsemanship is a continuing journey, a path of personal growth in which assumptions are challenged, inner resources are discovered, and joys you never imagined come into your life. Equinimity was founded to support and encourage you and your horse on that journey.

As a horse trainer, I get excited about the process of understanding, the moment when the light comes on for a horse – or an owner.
 
Horsemanship encompasses communication skills, physical skills, sensitivity, feel, timing, and the management of one’s own emotions. I love working with clients who are excited about the process of building and refining these skills, and of learning to understand their horses; clients who understand that the change first has to come from within, and who are excited about taking on the joys and challenges of this path.
 
I love working with all horses, and find it especially rewarding to work with those who have trust issues. It’s deeply satisfying to help an owner understand why the horse is responding the way he or she is, and how a mindful approach is the first step in supporting the changes you are looking for them make.
 
I offer private lessons and group lessons, and would be glad to talk with you about your specific needs.