Mindful Horsemanship:
The Art of Connection and Speaking the Horse's Language
🌿🐴 Mindful Horsemanship Thursdays 🐴🌿
The Art of Connection & Speaking the Horse's Language
Mindful Horsemanship
Thursdays:
The Art of Connection and Speaking the Horse's Language
🌿🐴 Mindful Horsemanship Thursdays 🐴🌿
The Art of Connection & Speaking the Horse's Language
Enter a space with horses where you can feel grounded in your body, expansive in your heart, and at peace in your mind. Here you can return to your true essence and the wholeness within, guided by mindful connection with horses.
These sessions are perfect for anyone who desires to connect with horses in a way that honors their sentience and innate wisdom. This isn’t about control—it’s about cultivating authentic relationship, clear communication, and mutual respect between horse and human.
Each Week We Will Explore:
✨ Mindful movement to develop self-awareness and communicate with greater clarity and intention.
🌱 Grounding practices to regulate your nervous system and create a calm, safe presence your horse can trust.
💛 Touch-based connection using Debono Moves—a method based on the Feldenkrais® approach—to foster softness, relaxation, and stronger connection.
🐴 Non-verbal communication through movement, body language, positioning, and energetic presence—the language horses naturally understand.
🧘♀️ Embodied awareness—learning how your internal state influences your horse’s responses, behavior, and confidence.
Discover what is possible when we slow down, listen, and attune to the way of the horse.
Instructor Stacey Carter is a PATH Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, a Registered Yoga Instructor, a Certified Debono Moves Practitioner, and a lifelong horsewoman.
Her experience ranges from combined training and foxhunting to starting horses under saddle and rehabilitating those with trauma and behavioral challenges. Over time she developed an approach to partnering with horses that emphasizes mindfulness, connection, and mutual well-being. She is passionate about sharing this transformative way of being with horses with others seeking authentic and meaningful experiences with these wise and sentient beings.
Each lesson at Heart-Centered Horsemanship is an. invitation to dive deeper into body awareness, and the art of subtle communication with horses, and within myself.
What I love most is that this isn’t about controlling a horse. It’s about relationship. We’re learning to listen, to observe, to communicate in their language with rhythm, straightness, and softness. And that's now showing up in my parenting, my nervous system, and my yoga practice too.
I’ve worked with different horses, each with their own background and personality. And every week I learn something new…not just about horsemanship, but about partnership, boundaries, and presence.
It’s changed the way I show up, I am more grounded and intentional.
I’m so grateful for this class and the way it weaves boundaries and connection into every session.
-Leela Zile
When I started working on a collaborative book in the field of equine-assisted services, one of the first people I invited to contribute was Stacey. After working with her personally during a quest to reconnect with horses during my PhD studies, I knew I wanted her to write a chapter for my book, Integrating Horses into Healing. I knew she’d bring something special—and she did. Her insights into building true, relational partnerships with horses are exactly what this field needs. Her work helps create the kind of connection where horses feel safe, seen, and free to show up authentically—something every professional in equine-assisted therapy should strive for.
And if you need proof that her methods work? Just look at Benny. She found him in a pasture—a big, kind, slightly pushy draft cross—and brought him along with patience and clarity until he was ready for a partner. I bought him from her after his training, and today he’s thriving with my goddaughter, confidently competing in three phases and loving the connection they’ve built.
If you’re an equine professional looking to deepen your horsemanship and create real safety and collaboration with your horses, Heart Centered Horsemanship is the place to start.
=Cheryl Meola, PhD, LCMHCS, Author of Integrating Horses into Healing
The time spent at LaBelle Equestrian with Stacey brings a smile to my face! I remember the thoughtful depth that Stacey used to teach our mixed group of participants. She met each individual where they were at. It was a beautiful day spent outside moving and working my body in new ways with new consciousness. I remember how refreshed and calm I felt after. At the center of all of this - the reason it came alive the way it did - is Stacey. Thoughtful, kind, reassuring, she has helped me rethink the mechanics of my and my horse’s body. It has been one of the most refreshing classes I have ever taken and I hope more people get the chance!
-Kaitlin Rice
LaBelle Equestrian
2445 Centenary Church Road, Mt. Ulla NC
Thursdays from 4 - 6 pm
$35/Session
Children under 8 free with paid adult
Online registration required for new students
LaBelle Equestrian
2445 Centenary Church Road, Mt. Ulla NC
Thursdays from 4 - 6 pm
$35/Session
Children under 8 free with paid adult
Online registration required for new students
FAQ's
Can I bring my own horse?
Yes! We have horses available for participants, but you are also welcome to bring your own horse if you choose.
Does this course include riding?
Riding is not the focus of Mindful Horsemanship, but some riding can be incorporated into sessions.
Do I need previous experience with horses to participate?
No, this class is designed to accommodate participants of all experience levels. Beginners will learn the basics of horsemanship while more seasoned riders will learn skills that will enhance all aspects of their relationship with their horses.
What ages may participate?
Mindful Horsemanship can be adapted for all ages, children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
