The Journey Behind
Heart Centered Horsemanship
Sometimes we look at what we were taught when we were younger and realize it isn't our truth.
Sometimes we have to create something new.
Heart Centered Horsemanship is about choosing co-creation instead of control.
Traditional training often emphasizes controlling the horse. This approach is about awareness, intention, and relationship. By learning how to hold a supportive, regulated space, we invite the horse to show up in their full capacity. This isn't about dominance, it's about creating conditions for the horse to thrive.
This approach prioritizes the quality of the horse's experience.
My process has been shaped by working with many horses with difficult behaviors. When horses feel scared, confused, overwhelmed, or triggered as a result of past experiences, they can become hard to handle and even dangerous. Addressing these challenges isn’t about training, it’s about restoring a sense of safety, building trust, and developing clear, confident communication that supports cooperation.
Meet Stacey
A lifelong horse enthusiast, Stacey has shifted from traditional training to helping humans benefit from the powerful lessons the horses have to teach.
Her methods integrate decades of experience as a rider, instructor, PATH certified equine specialist in mental health and learning, registered yoga teacher, certified Debono Moves practitioner, and dedicated student of the horse.
Meet Stacey
A lifelong horse enthusiast, Stacey has shifted from traditional training to helping humans benefit from the powerful lessons the horses have to teach.
Her methods integrate decades of experience as a rider, instructor, PATH certified equine specialist in mental health and learning, registered yoga teacher, certified Debono Moves practitioner, and dedicated student of the horse.
Through a commitment to honoring equine sentience and emotional well-being, she developed an approach that supports calm, cooperative partnership without force, dominance, or pressure. She teaches people how to show up with clarity, awareness, and intention to create relationships that feel safe, effective, and mutually beneficial.
Stacey’s work is featured in Integrating Horses into Healing by Cheryl Meola and Beyond Words: The Healing Power of Horses by Alita Buzel - two respected resources in the field of equine-assisted services that highlight stories and insights from practitioners who are reimagining what’s possible in horse-human relationships.
What People Are Saying About Heart Centered Horsemanship
Many books, articles and certification paths for EAP don’t give a lot of actual “hands on” techniques to use with your clients - it’s more about theory, philosophy and general practice (i.e. connection, nervous system regulation). That information has been great, but I wanted more ideas of what to do when in the session with a client (or clients) and horses. Stacey has given me countless activities and techniques to use when working with my clients and horses. All in keeping with the concepts of kindness, connection, regulation, mindful movement and horsemanship. It has been invaluable. I have used her ideas in many sessions with my clients, and am having wonderful results. Learning how to implement the concepts of connection, nervous system regulation, mindful movement, etc. has helped me so much in my journey in working with clients.
-Leslie Bell, LCSW
I have been riding for a long time, practically my whole life. I have always felt a pull towards the horses. The disciplines I enjoy are hunter/jumper, eventing and dressage and each one of these requires understanding of timing, rhythm and balance both within yourself and with the horse. I was taught each discipline with a very classical mindset and over the years I still felt like I was missing some deeper form of connection to heighten my finesse in the saddle.
Working with Stacey at first felt like a foreign language because the traditional ways felt so engrained. But over the months working with her on the ground and in the saddle, that has rapidly changed and my tool box has gotten much more versatile and deeper.
Stacey has found a way to unlock and put into words what the great riders already know and feel within their bones when communicating on the ground or in the saddle with these amazing animals. What I as a person who didn't originally come from a family of equestrians or strong financial means have come to understand mentally and physically on my own but didn't quite know how to utilize. Stacey has found a way to emulate exactly what my body should feel and how to respond in the way that the horses instinctively understand. It has been a real turning point and game changer in my riding!
Danni Wojick, trainer
Stacey Carter of Heartcentered Horsemanship has developed a thoughtful and effective method for connecting with horses without heavy equipment, force, or pain. I own an equine assisted learning business and always strive to partner with my equines as gently and clearly as possible. Only then will they willingly partner with me to heal our clients. I booked a private session with her and am also working through her online course. Both have provided me with valuable ideas and support for my practice.
Kim Bishop, Owner pf Bridges Equine Assisted Services
Stacey is the embodiment of Heart Centered Horsemanship! It was obvious from our first encounter that her heart is in all she teaches. My relationship and connection with my horse (Dixie) has improved because of her methods. Stacey has made me a better rider and Dixie is calmer and we are more attuned to each other.
Kathy Knutson, client
Mastering the horse starts with our own nervous system.
Sign up for our mailing list and receive a free grounding and regulation guide.
Let The Horse Be Your Teacher
©2026 Heart Centered Horsemanship - All Rights Reserved - Terms - Privacy