You want a horse who feels good to be with—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Not just obedient, but relaxed. Not just compliant, but willing. You’re less interested in “making it work” and more interested in understanding what allows a horse to stay present, responsive, and at ease in their body and mind.

Kristi’s work focuses on developing emotional regulation first, because a calm, regulated horse can think, learn, and respond with softness. Through thoughtful use of pressure, clear release, posture, timing, and intention, horses learn to stay connected even when things are challenging. The result is not dullness or shutdown, but a horse who can stay curious, relaxed, and available in motion, transitions, and real-world environments.

You care deeply about doing right by your horse, but sometimes feel unsure—unsure if you’re asking clearly, unsure if your timing is right, unsure whether you should push forward or slow things down. You don’t want cheerleading or rigid rules. You want clear, thoughtful feedback that helps you grow real skill.

Kristi is known for offering calm, honest guidance without judgment. She helps riders see what’s actually happening, why it’s happening, and what to change—without shaming, overwhelming, or oversimplifying. Confidence comes from understanding, not bravado. Her role is to help you develop clarity so your decisions feel grounded and your leadership feels authentic rather than forced.

You believe your horse’s experience matters. You don’t want success at the cost of trust, and you don’t believe fear, flooding, or domination lead to true partnership. You want training to feel ethical, considerate, and fair—while still being effective.

Kristi teaches riders how to listen to feedback through posture, expression, and behavior. She helps students recognize when a horse is confused, overwhelmed, or bracing—and how to adjust without abandoning the goal. Training doesn’t have to be permissive or harsh. When done thoughtfully, it becomes a conversation where both horse and human feel successful.

You appreciate evidence-based learning, but you also know horsemanship isn’t purely mechanical. Horses aren’t machines, and riders aren’t robots. You want mentorship that respects neuroscience, learning theory, biomechanics, and behavioral science—while also honoring feel, timing, and the subtleties that can’t be reduced to formulas.

Kristi bridges that gap. Her teaching is informed by research and refined through decades of hands-on experience, yet grounded in feel and observation. She helps students understand why something works, not just how to do it. This balance allows riders to think critically, adapt intelligently, and trust themselves without drifting into either rigid technique or vague intuition.

You’re not chasing tricks or flashy results. You want communication that feels natural—where small gestures, posture, breath, and intention carry meaning. You want riding and groundwork to feel smooth, quiet, and mutually enjoyable, not effortful or tense.

Kristi specializes in helping riders evolve beyond loud cues and escalating pressure toward refined, subtle communication. Over time, what once required effort becomes intuitive. The work itself becomes rewarding—not just the outcome. This is autotelic horsemanship: the process is the reward, and the partnership deepens because both horse and human feel good inside the conversation.

You’ve felt moments of connection—those glimpses where everything clicks—but they aren’t consistent yet. You sense there’s another level of harmony, responsiveness, and ease available to you and your horse. You just need help finding the path.

Kristi works with riders who are ready to grow beyond surface solutions and into deeper understanding. She helps you identify what’s missing—whether it’s timing, clarity, emotional regulation, posture, or expectations—and shows you how to build those skills step by step. Progress becomes less mysterious and more attainable. What once felt out of reach begins to feel possible, then repeatable.