On the Coattails of a Master

How exciting to have been watching this program develop for the last 6 years. I am in frequent contact with Maree and often share videos of what is happening with our training. And now that I have written that first line, I realize that I have been watching Equine-Humanistics developing over many years.

I am a successful lifetime horsewoman, and my head is not easily turned with gimmicks or fads, I believe this program is the real deal.

Congratulations Maree with this program you have nailed it, the equine communities are so lucky this has arrived!

In January/February this year I organized Equine-Humanistics clinics and lessons for Maree in the South Island of New Zealand. It was an amazing time of energy, enlightenment, and absorption.

To watch Maree’s ability to stand back and really study the horse in every detail. Conformation, character, conditioning, feet, posture, movement, asymmetries, balance, breathing, nervous system, trauma, anxiety, confidence, awareness, acceptance and most of all assess the relationship between the horses and their human partners. She removes the emotional attachment that often clouds judgement.

This allows her to best know how to help horses and humans. Her ability to assess and pass on this knowledge and cheer people on to make their own discoveries is what really stands her apart from the masses in today’s coaching world.

I observed horses of many breeds, types, and ages in the clinics, more than 35 separate combinations. There were Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Quarter Horses, Irish Draughts, Warmbloods, Gypsys, Welsh cobs, Appaloosas, Connemaras, Cleveland Bays, Lippizzaner’s, Arabs, Andalusians, Lusitano’s, ponies and all sorts of crossbreds, about every breed we see in the South Island of NZ. Some were at a high level of training and others not yet ridden. Some really fit and others straight out of the paddock. The amazing thing isn’t the variety of breeds, heights, ages, and levels of these horses, it was that every single horse improved hugely following the Equine-Humanistics four exercises. The horses and their humans improved, be it advanced trainers or beginner adult riders, they gained confidence and were able to follow the exercises and understand how the program worked and how it could help them help their horses.

During our travels we also were involved in four Working Equitation Shows and encountered many of the Equine-Humanistics clinic participants. To see the change and on-going improvement of these combinations in the few weeks after their introduction to the system was truly rewarding and inspiring.

Personally, I think the world lacks calm, confident horses. Confidence and trust come from many places, and for the horse to understand what the human wants and be able to make sense of the questions must rate very highly on the giving confidence journey.

Horses love having a job to do and the Equine- Humanistics four exercises of Fence Walking, Circling, Squaring and Lateral Balancing delivers training with clear fair boundaries and balance ideas that make sense to the horses.

This produces calm confident balanced horses, which in turn allows our horses to be able to move to their true potential and be calmly available for any task – what more could anyone possibly want for or from their equine partners!

Feedback on 3-day Clinic

There are not enough spaces! The absolute simplicity and very careful, slow, mindfulness of this system with clear boundaries, respecting ALL that is the horse, whilst building trust. Observing and then helping address their physical and emotional balance is the next level I have been looking for within my journey.

This system provides a wealth of knowledge in a very calm, deliberate manner, as to the horse’s current, and past way of being, whilst also providing a very safe space to move into a new, balanced, relaxed state with clear boundaries and respect on both sides. Maree's explanation of what happens in our horses’ bodies and mind adds such a clarity that, once you see, you cannot unsee!

So many of us are striving for that elusive connection, balance, and harmony, this is the way forwards. Both of my horses responded so positively within their different stages of training. I cannot wait to solidify this and be back for more learning please!

Two Weeks Later:

I'm fully addicted to your system. Finding ways to utilize it everywhere within my interactions... brown pony is taking to it quicker than black though both have already a fair idea. I'm so much more thoughtful about where and how I'm asking them to move.

Yesterday started with black mare on circling as that's helping the fence walking. Brown pony was right THERE trying to be a part of the conversation, and quite insistent for her, considering black mare barely tolerates her, and usually a wrinkly nostril from 5 meters away sends her off.... when I haltered Brown pony, she immediately started yawning and yawning, I had not even started, so what is the energy interaction from her just observing I wonder? I also noticed when she was standing square, and deeply processing, that the brachia vein in her neck, was beautifully released right up to the poll. It is something I have been striving for, usually it gets to about C3 and that upper part is still not released. She had fully released her neck, and boy did it look like it felt GOOD.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the word that best describes for me what Maree teaches horses. I have just watched several horses become more aware of themselves, their human, and their surroundings. They became more balanced physically and emotionally. This was achieved by teaching, (not forcing), allowing horses the time to think, being consistent, and presenting ideas that make sense to the horses.

The exercises are deceptively simple but establish neural pathways for balance and coordination. Awareness of, and respect for the human leads to a lovely connection with very little fuss.

Maree helped me become aware of the movement patterns of my horses. She has a very good eye. My older horse has a hind leg that has a flight path very close to the centre line of his body. With several exercises based on circling and squaring he has started to move and stand in a more balanced and healthy way. I am amazed at the speed of the change and ease with which my horse picked up the idea of swinging and placing his hind leg further out.

My physically and emotionally unbalanced mare was finding herself and me very quickly. I will continue with these exercises until she is a more balanced and happier mare. I also look forward to working with my young horses in a simple programme that teaches them to seek and find their own balance before I ride them.

A Very Special Two Days

I and a friend have just had the privilege to spend two days with Maree in a private session of being introduced to her program.

Four seemingly simple exercises that have a profound effect on both the horse and the human.

Much is said in the world about the importance of balance for our horses, both mental and physical, but at last a program to bring balance into focus and make it possible to achieve.

The simplicity of the exercises totally belies the in depth diagnostics they allow one to make about balance, soundness, tension etc.

As I become more familiar and proficient in this work (and believe me it takes mental alertness and physical control), I will be delighted to incorporate it into my own teaching. If you get a chance to go to one of Maree’s clinics make sure you do as her range of knowledge and her ability to see to the core of the issue (as well as her kindness and humor) is astounding.

Sabine & Moriah

Before Moriah, my 19 year old Arab mare, and I started working with Maree, my horse was anxious, nervous and agitated most of the time. I did groundwork, round pen work, and I rode her, but these rides were so frustrating, and looking back at it, almost dangerous.

There was no conversation, no relationship, and no understanding. I had days it would take me 45 minutes just to get on my horse. Needless to say, these days were frustrating and sad for both of us. I had no idea what was going on. I considered myself a decent rider and just didn't understand why we didn't make any progress.

I started working with Maree in the summer of 2022 and within weeks I could see a change in Moriah. She got calmer, more relaxed. One of the most profound comments from Maree to me was "I never ride one of my horses unless they are strong enough." I realized all this time Moriah was trying to tell me she wasn't ready to get ridden, she was not strong enough, and it caused her pain.

Never did I think about that my horse was not strong enough to carry me comfortably. So we started with Maree's Equine-Humanistics Program - lots of fence walking, long walks incorporating hills that we walked up and down, sometimes even backwards going up. I continue taking lessons with Maree and today Moriah and I go on rides that are comfortable and fun. And now I can listen and understand when she is trying to tell me something is making her uncomfortable and/or nervous. We even started practicing WE :)

Beverly & Pippa

Pippa is a beautiful paint mare who was given to me when she was age 15. I had ridden her several times and just loved how light and responsive she was to my lightest aid. She seemed generous and willing, so I was thrilled to have her come to live with me.

I am lucky enough to be exposed to Maree’s work a lot. I have known her for over ten years and watched/participated in many clinics and lessons. Without that exposure I think I would not have realized how anxious Pippa was and because she was so obedient no one else had realized she was worried or thought she needed help with that.

In the riding it manifested as tightly closing her throat latch area by over curling her neck, tilting her head to the right, and excessive chewing on the bit.

On the ground she was an over achiever. She moved very quickly and way too much from what I considered was a small aid.

As I got to know her, I realized that much of her obedience was due to her anxiety and I wanted to help her with that.

Enter the fence walking and squaring exercises.

I had seen many groundwork exercises and tried a lot of them. Although I understood them intellectually, I couldn’t seem to master either the timing required or the small nuances that made them successful so I would usually end up feeling despondent that I, “couldn’t get it”, and give up.

I really liked the exercises which became Equine-Humanistics. Initially I was just learning the pattern which I did by practicing every day. What I liked about them was their simplicity in their most basic form. Even I could manage to be consistent enough with the boundaries and it felt like Pippa breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, some clear communication between the two of us.

As we continued with the exercise the consistency became automatic and I was able to notice more about Pippa and how sensitive she was in response to me. Noticing this meant I was able to really explore how my energy affected her and what I needed to do to experience the magical feeling that comes from true connection. It turns out that if I remained in the moment and aware of myself while in conversation with her the connection was there.

I think it is a little like reflective listening when in conversation with another person. They feel heard and that you’re genuinely interested in them and so dialogue can flourish. I promised Pippa and myself that from that moment onwards I would always clear my mind of any chatter before presenting myself to her in the pasture and be with her as I would any other friend.

Another learning I explored as we refined the exercises was the use of my body. This does not come naturally to me, and I have been quick to use the lead rope or whip, often with no change in my physical posture.

When you think about horses in a herd and how they use body language it doesn’t really make sense that we do not utilize this form of communication with them. I began practicing using my body as the second aid (after a thought, a feeling, and intention) and discovered that she responded easily. I compare the change to going from yelling to whispering. Initially it felt strange to use my body in this way, but the results were so encouraging that I persevered and gradually it has come to feel natural, and I no longer feel self-conscious. Plus, my horse understands so that means more to me than the other feelings.

We progressed to the circling exercise. It felt a little like going back to the start. High anxiety and a lot of new observations to make but I had confidence because of our success in the fence walking and squaring.

So, we started at the beginning and learned the pattern and the boundaries starting with a clear idea of what a turn on center looked like.

Our communication was better, so we progressed more easily, and I was able to observe more. Bend was easier to the left, she didn’t cross when stepping, often stepped forward or back, and still moved quickly and more than necessary. Her choice was to move the hind away quickly, a common pattern in forward anxious horses.

Because she was offering more than asked, I got to explore what happened when I slowed things down even more and halted my feet at the earliest indication from her that she was preparing to move and rewarded every “try” from her with a release. More refinement in our conversation. It was what she needed, and she was able to move more quietly and remain relaxed.

I was careful to wait for her when she needed time to process the way her nervous system and physical body was changing, always waiting while she licked, chewed, and yawned.

It has been 6 months of using the Equine-Humanistics, and we are still enjoying refining our execution of the exercises. Lately my focus has been on asking for the smallest rock back in her body before asking for the bend in circling exercise which has enabled the legs to cross when stepping. The bend to the right has improved and she is less likely to go fast or too far.

The signs of anxiety are appearing much less often, and I celebrate every ride we have with none which is happening more often. Her body shape is changing for the better, and our relationship is flourishing.

Testimonial on Maree McAteer’s Groundwork Clinic

I am still basking in the afterglow of a magnificent groundwork clinic I was able to audit this past weekend. Horses and horse parents of all different backgrounds, training levels, breeds and ages came together to learn and partner in exploring Maree’s beautifully thought through system of exercises. The cornerstones are easy to understand rules and principles that create absolute clarity of communication between humans and equines. The result is fluidity in mind and body through all levels of difficulty. The visible transformation I saw in the horses was astonishing across the board and self-evident in their absolute calm, patient and confident state of being; an expression of intrinsic physical and mental balance.

As a fairly new horse mom I have been overwhelmed by complicated methods and feeling like a failure, letting my young, untrained and by now anxious Spanish Mustang down. I felt stuck and defeated. The 6 hours I spent watching Maree teach her elegantly simple system were exhilarating. What I experienced gave me the confidence in my own ability to apply the framework of exercises with my horse and succeed. I couldn’t wait to try and I saw immediate, positive effects in just 1 day of a 20 minute session with my guy - no nipping, no gnawing on the lead, an attentive and curious partner…I can’t wait to see what will unfold from here.

Karin Denny - Intrinsic Body Works, Grand Junction

Helen Sharp

What an amazing three days just spent with Maree McAteer and my young horse. I couldn't believe what a difference her in-hand exercises made to my horse's balance, strength and going forward. Where previously it was a struggle to get more than an "okay" walk, she now walks out forward and in self-carriage. And noticeably more conversations between us where she listens rather than takes over! Love your work Maree!! Can't wait to continue the journey.

Beverly & Jose

Jose told me a lot about himself and his past when I first went to catch him. He was not interested in being caught. He’d just quietly walk away giving many other “no” signals. After a minute he would stand and let me approach turning his head away and resisting the halter without leaving.

Once the halter was on, he was obedient and would follow me to the arena and stand tied for grooming usually standing very base narrow with his hind feet.

He did not want to be bridled the first time. He tossed his head and turned away. Being with people had not been fun for him in the past and he didn’t want to go there again. The first ride showed he wasn’t keen on that either and he did not want to stand at the mounting block. He didn’t have steering or understand moving off the leg.

On untacking he left as soon as I took off his bridle.

He was anxious and jumpy, so I started with the fence walking exercise. He was very unbalanced, and it felt like he would bump into me. He didn’t understand when to start, he’d sometimes be slow and other times quick and go past me. He needed clear boundaries but small aids otherwise he got scared. I could see from the fence walking how much the circling and squaring was going to help.

The squaring exercise showed him how to rock his body back before he moved his feet making an idea of a rocked back body familiar. He was often square in front, narrow behind to the point that the back feet were touching, and resting one foot. After a few sessions of squaring, he managed to stand with a leg at each corner more and more often for longer periods of time.

In the circling he would lean forward on his shoulders and cross quickly behind, his front feet were very earthbound and didn’t move as often as the hinds. He also needed lateral balancing to help him improve his steering under saddle. I needed to learn this exercise too. We started with leg yield.

On the ground he had no idea that a touch in the leg area meant move your whole body sideways and he would either not move at all or go forwards then swing his head towards me. He might move the front over but not the hind. Sometimes he would catch the hind up, but he often moved too far and too fast.

We continued practicing until I learned how to ask and progressed to the next part in lateral balancing, the square. This exercise showed me he didn’t understand the aids to go quietly forward, and he hung back or went sideways.

We have been practicing the exercises for about a month. A week ago, when I went to get him, I didn’t need a halter. He came over to me and walked at liberty to the arena where I had the saddle and bridle waiting. He lowers his head for the bridle most of the time. He regularly approaches me in the paddock when I am outside and nickers to me from a distance. He walks with me and stops in time with me during the fence walking. He is often square front and hind, and he is very relaxed most of the time.

He is getting more and more relaxed in the riding much improved understanding of how to steer without pulling on his head. He stands on a loose rein to be mounted. His responsiveness increases with every ride.

On re-reading this I realize how far we have come in a short time. A prime example of going slower with conscious attention to what the horse needs gets us a faster result. I will continue to practice the exercises and I’m very excited to go on this journey with this lovely horse.

Joanna Mahood

I’ve had the privilege to know Maree McAteer for over 10 years now and to watch the evolution of the most gentle, kind and life changing system of working with horses that she calls Equine-Humanistics. Having just spent 3 days at her Bream Bay clinic I am truly awestruck with how much change Maree can bring about in both horse and handler in such a short time.

I watched anxious horses calm down, overreactive horses settle and shut down horses become quietly aware. I watched both horses and handlers slow down and start to think rather than just react. I watched seasoned horse folk find a joy in having a system that made sense and was good for their horses as well as getting what needed to be done, done.

Four exercises, clear and simple boundaries which respect the horses needs as well as handler safety, a calm, quiet, gentle way of being that sets up really clear communication and within minutes the horses’ whole energy has changed and they begin to heal in mind and body.

Maree has created a system that helps trainers bring out the horses curiosity and trust and leads to learning with a sense of fun, no tricks , no tools, no domination, just a means to have a mutual understanding and conversation. This system makes a huge difference.

Harry – My horse who was part of the development of Equine-Humanistics

Donna

I love Maree's attention to detail, her knowledge and her observation skills. It was great to see many different horses and the way the exercises helped with the variety of needs.

The day after the clinic, my pony thought he would show me just how to do the circling; he did it beautifully and when I gave him his break he proceeded to cut me like a cow to get me to play - he sure felt good in his body!

Renee Berger

Omg this would have to the best 3 days and money well invested. Thank you so very much Maree McAteer you are a great teacher. Thank you, Beverley, for organizing and Donna for all your help and support to get this to happen. And best of all the participants and horses that came, some who took a risk into the unknown ... well done.

Anonymous

Maree McAteer is an incredible teacher, it is soooo much harder teaching humans than equines but you have the patience of a saint and ability to re-word for our variously wired brains to help us understand. I know we've only scratched the surface over the last few days but it has opened new doors and given us a whole ton more to play with in furthering our relationships with our equine partners. Can't wait to keep exploring and seeing where we can go.