Zen Mode Horsemanship
The center for equine & energetic science.
We merge philosophies from energy healing, sports psychology, horse and rider fitness, and more - all to create the best team of athletes that we possibly can.
About The Trainer
My name is Zen Daniel and I'm the trainer at Zen Mode Horsemanship. My training program focuses on bringing together the best of science, the best of psychology, and the best of energy healing to train the horse and rider. I will post content from a variety of areas, including sports psychology, mindset, mindfulness, energy healing and management, exercise routines, biomechanics, groundwork, and more.
I'm a big believer in proper form and biomechanics for both the horse and the rider - proper riding is proper riding. I ride primarily jumpers but I am always looking to have a classical foundation and posture for both horse and rider, which means I spend a fair amount of time studying dressage as well.
My preparation of horses for riding is inspired by Tristan Tucker’s TRT Method. I love this approach because it gives horses a foundation of being comfortable in their own bodies, and teaches them how to handle new things in a general sense - therefore, we don’t need to desensitize them to everything. We can use some things as an example, and teach them how to respond when something is uncomfortable to them so that they can regain control of their body and the situation.
My understanding of energy healing is expanding all the time, as I'm an avid learner and always looking to grow. My current philosophies center around acupressure and reiki, and utilize the Eastern concepts of the 12 Meridians as well as the 7 Chakras.
I look forward to sharing what I'm learning and doing with everyone, and helping you and your horse to grow as well!
Be sure to follow on social media, and you can also find more in-depth articles on our blog - all of that is linked below.
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Meet the Horses
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Comet
Comet is owned by me and is the face of Zen Mode Horsemanship. He is a barn favorite with his laid back and friendly personality. I bought Comet as a foal from American breeder Eowyn Brewer, and have raised and trained him since he was 6months old. He is a proper gentleman and highly skilled for his age.
He is desensitized to many sounds that he will need to handle in the human world, including applause, construction, the starting bell, and even the sounds of gunfire and thunder and fireworks - he will not bat an eye. He has been there, done that. He cross ties, ground ties, has proper manners and movement on the lead rope, loads in the trailer, and stands like a doll for the farrier.
He is used to saddle pads, surcingles, boots, blankets, flags, plastic bags in motion, flashing lights, things going over his head, and things going on his head. He is also brave - anything new is handled in a calm fashion. He's very bright and quick to learn, and I trained him to handle all of this without overwhelming him or flooding him with information.
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Diana
Diana is Comet’s little sister. They share the same dam. She arrived to start her life with me when she was 6months old.
I always joke I loved Comet so much I just needed another one of him! Diana is very personable, kind, affectionate, and has a heart of gold. She is much more sensitive to new things than Comet is, and so it has taken different steps on a different timeline to train her to be comfortable and calm in her body.
She is masterful at things once she understands what she’s supposed to do, and always tries her heart out. She is desensitized to all the same things as Comet, and we are currently working very hard on her comfort with standing still and doing nothing. She would always like to be going somewhere if it were up to her!
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Gunner
Gunner is a Thoroughbred gelding. He is the alpha of about 30 horses at the stable I board at. He has an attitude, and he will let you know his opinions. He needs a strong rider who isn’t afraid to take charge and be the leader. He’s also incredibly intelligent - and he needs a job. If he’s bored, his intelligence will come out the same way it would in a child - by acting out to get attention.
Before starting with him, he was quite green, had basically no canter transitions, and had never jumped. Slowly we are working on getting him comfortable over fences and improving his form and flatwork. While Comet has been growing, most of my riding videos were done with Gunner.
His owner was kind enough to let me train him and the deal has been a win-win - Gunner gets experience, a job, and exercise; I get experience; and his owner comes home to a horse with increasingly better skills and manners.