​Welcome to Heart to Hand!
​Living with horses is a bit like learning a new language. Imagine a horse standing in a field, ears flicking, eyes soft but curious. A person approaches, full of love and hope, but also carrying the weight of human expectations. The horse tilts its head, wondering: 'What do you mean? What do you want from me?'
For domesticated horses to live well with humans, they need to be able to understand our signals, tune into our desires, and give us what we want. The catch? We’re the teachers here, and if we don’t explain things clearly, horses end up confused, wondering what they are doing wrong. Unfortunately for many horses the ways of humans remain a mystery, at best to be endured, and at worst to be resisted, resulting in a lot of unhappiness and potential danger for both. Horses often end up being punished for behaviour that makes humans feel frustrated or unsafe, and neither party experiences the feeling of connection and love that first drew them together.
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Effective communication is not only about speaking; it is equally important to listen. Here’s the secret: horses do talk. Not with words, but with flicks of their ears, shifts in their weight, and little looks that say more than a paragraph ever could. When we start paying attention, they light up – ‘You hear me!’. Horses actually have a lot to say when they realise humans are noticing. Listening builds trust, makes everyone feel safe, and turns time together into something fun instead of stressful. And the best part? Anyone can learn horse language - it’s like unlocking a secret dialogue that was there all along.
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At Heart to Hand, we invite you to discover what matters most to horses, and how to communicate in ways that make sense to them. We facilitate learning opportunities that help you tune in, not just to your horse but also to yourself in relation to your horse. Think of it as a chance to practice listening, responding, and building harmony with your horse. It’s not just about doing things; it's about being - growing together, discovering new things, and keeping that spark of connection alive for the long haul. Each moment of awareness is like turning a page - as you respond differently, your horse responds differently too, and the relationship deepens. It’s not just about training. It’s about growth, confidence, authenticity, and a lifelong adventure of learning together. So step into the story. Explore the paths ahead, and see where your journey with horses might lead.
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Click on the areas of interest below to get started:
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Lauren Mack
“We’ve been attending Heart to Hand sessions since July 2021 and have had the most wonderful experiences with Cathy, her team and the ponies.
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Since starting the sessions aged 3, my son has formed an amazing connection with Cloud, gained so much confidence and respect for being around the ponies, and learnt lots about horsemanship.
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It’s not only been fun, but an opportunity to learn valuable life-skills. Cathy is welcoming, patient and explains things in a way the participants understand.
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We love H2H ”
Liz Delanoy
"I cannot speak highly enough of the care, ministrations and professionalism Cathy has shown to my horses over the years: my older mare Poppy responded so well to the MM and Cathy, which helped her no end with the various aches and ailments of being an old lady. Treasure took a little longer to respond, but again with Cathy’s knowledge and care Treasure is now in a settled state where I can maintain her well-being.
Cathy has also been so supportive and encouraging in the furtherance of my knowledge of the Masterson method, which has allowed me to ‘look after’ Treasure myself - with Cathy on speed dial of course!
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I’m very grateful to have Cathy in my world."
Katherine Harberd
"The Heart to Hand track has been a labour of love by Cathy and her family for their horses and their land. Cathy created a masterplan which has blossomed with each passing season and the daily devotion of everyone working with the horses - all to a common purpose (the best for environmental and horse health and happiness).
As each element of the land has been transformed, so Cathy has watched her horses to see whether adjustments to the evolving track would suit them better. She considers every aspect of planting and nutrition, fencing and footing.
Horse herd synergy and health on this ever-evolving magical track bears testament to Cathy’s love and dedication."