Equus Enlightened

Welcome to Equus Enlightened — horsemanship for the modern equestrian. I’m Anna Fox — dressage rider, trainer, and founder of Equus Enlightened. This channel is dedicated to ethical horse training, horsemanship, and a deeper horse–rider connection.

If your horse isn’t progressing… if training feels harder than it should… or if you’re questioning traditional methods that prioritize control over communication — you’re in the right place.

Here we explore:
• Horse behavior and horse psychology
• Horsemanship through classical foundations
• Rider psychology and nervous system regulation
• Ethical pathways to high-level sport

Sustainable performance begins with seeing clearly and I educate equestrians virtually and in-person on creating a lasting partnership with their horse.

If you believe horses are sentient partners — not machines — and you want both harmony and high-level riding, subscribe and join the conversation.


Equus Enlightened

Big thanks to Giorgia ‪@hathaequus‬ for doing this episode with me!

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

Shutdown doesn't happen the way you think it does.

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

🐴 New Episode: Seeing the World Through Your Horse’s Eyes

Most horses don’t start with big behaviors.

They start with whispers.

In this episode of The Thinking Horse & Rider, I sit down with former competitive dressage rider turned animal communicator Angie Morin to talk about something many riders overlook: how horses are already communicating with us through their behavior.

We discuss:

• Why behavior is always communication
• How seeing the world from your horse’s perspective changes everything
• The difference between correcting and understanding
• Why acknowledgment without judgment can shift a horse’s behavior dramatically

One of the most interesting things Angie shared is that animals communicate from a place of love — even when they’re setting boundaries.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you might be missing something your horse is trying to say… this episode is for you.

📺 Watch the full episode here on YouTube

Then come back and tell me in the comments:

What’s something your horse tried to communicate that you only understood later?

#HorseCommunication #HorseBehavior #Horsemanship #EquestrianLife #HorseTraining #DressageRiders #equusenlightened

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

If your riding position feels stiff or tense…
…it’s probably killing your balance and rhythm.

The Star Pose—adapted from yoga—is my favorite rider balance fix.
✅ Releases tension in your shoulders, hips, and legs
✅ Improves your seat so you follow your horse’s movement
✅ Builds “tensegrity”—engaged but relaxed muscles for flow and feel

It works at the walk, and you can adapt it for any horse or discipline.

Your horse doesn’t want a perfect rider.
They want a present one. 💛

🎥 Watch the video → youtube.com/shorts/LQrCpsWO3n...

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

Hands or Seat? Be honest when things get wobbly where do you go to find balance on your horse?

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

Which riding cue do you hear the most?

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

If you’re holding on to your reins for balance…
…your horse can feel every ounce of it.

And here’s the thing—balancing on the reins isn’t just uncomfortable for your horse.
It kills your rhythm.
It blocks your seat.
It makes “feel” almost impossible.

In my latest podcast , I’m breaking down the #1 rider balance fix your horse will actually love—because it’s not about gripping tighter, locking your heels down, or yanking your shoulders back.

It’s about riding from your seat, not your hands.
It’s about soft balance that follows your horse’s movement instead of fighting it.
And it’s about letting go of the myths that keep you tense.

Your horse doesn’t want a perfect rider.
They want a present one. 💛

#riderbalance #ridewithfeel #equestrianmindset #dressagetraining #horseridingtips #ridingposition #letgoofperfectionism #comeridewithme #equusenlightened

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

Where do you feel the MOST balanced when riding?

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

Are you hard on yourself while riding?

If you’ve been told to “heels down, shoulders back” a thousand times… and still feel unbalanced in the saddle, this one’s for you.

In this video, I’m breaking down the #1 fix for rider balance that your horse will actually thank you for—because it’s not about gripping tighter or pulling on the reins.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Ride from your seat instead of your hands
✅ Match your horse’s rhythm without bracing
✅ Ditch the position myths that create more tension than stability

Your horse doesn’t want you to be perfect.
They want you to be present. 💛

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Equus Enlightened

This episode goes well with Episode 4 of Season 2! Letting Go of Perfectionism and the passenger riding experiment. Can you be a passive rider? #dressage #freelyforward #impulsion

1 year ago | [YT] | 0