My journey with horses began at just eight years old, with a Shetland pony who quickly taught me one of the most important lessons I would ever learn: horses are remarkably good at learning habits.

When I went to catch him, he would simply turn his hindquarters towards me. I was convinced he was going to kick, and he had quickly worked out that this was enough deter me from catching him. With no horsey family or mentor to guide me, I began researching horse behaviour and psychology for myself, learning through observation, trial and, admittedly, plenty of error.

My second pony, a green-broke two-year-old Welsh pony, taught me something different. I discovered just how impressionable a young horse's mind can be, and how much can be achieved by spending quality one-on-one time together and establishing good habits from the beginning.

As I grew, so did my experience. I started buying, training and selling horses, gradually becoming more efficient and confident with every horse I handled. Along the way, I learned how to recognise and work through a wide range of behavioural and training challenges. I also taught myself to trim hooves and start horses under saddle, eventually I started riding trackwork, being offered work breaking in horses, trimming and helping owners with their horses in whatever way I could.

Learning through experience

Competition has been another important part of my horsemanship journey. I have competed in rodeo events, with success in breakaway roping and barrel racing. As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to mentor under an Australian champion breakaway roper, an experience that sparked a lasting passion for the sport.

I have also had the opportunity to take young Arabian horses I had started to their first endurance rides. Over the years I've explored many different disciplines, including pony club, obstacle and stockman’s challenges, cowboy dressage, cutting, campdrafting, reining and ranch riding.

Each discipline has taught me something different, but the biggest lessons have often come from simply giving the horse a job to do.

In 2021, I left home to pursue a career as a pen rider in South Australia. I took my two Quarter Horse geldings (Jet and Mallee) with me, and we spent the next two years working there.

That experience was a turning point in my understanding of what makes a genuinely useful horse. I was fortunate to be offered additional work riding client horses in the feedlot, from trained cutting and campdrafting horses to much greener types. Spending long days on horseback opening and closing gates, drafting and working cattle quickly demonstrated just how important a truly well-broke horse is. A horse that is willing, responsive, confident and easy to manoeuvre isn't just more enjoyable to ride—it can make the difference between a job being manageable and being incredibly difficult.

I also spent several months working on a station in Central Queensland, gaining further experience with mustering and getting a closer look at the campdrafting and mustering scene.

My approach to horses

My horse training philosophies are vast and constantly evolving

My goal as a horsewoman is to keep learning and helping horses and owners on their journey’s.

I have an ongoing thirst for knowledge and am always looking for better ways to communicate with horses, improve my training and expand my understanding. I believe good horsemanship comes from being willing to listen to the horse, understand why a behaviour is happening, and then find a way to make the right thing clear and achievable.

Most importantly, I love seeing the difference that thoughtful training can make—not only in a horse, but in the confidence and relationship of the person riding them.

I am incredibly grateful to the owners who have trusted me with the care, training and development of their horses. Their horses have allowed me to continually hone my skills and gain experience across a wide range of situations, while giving me the opportunity to share what I've learned with others.

Arrow Heart Equine is built on practical and thoughtful horsemanship. To learn more about our philosophy click here