Empowered Equestrian

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Also Teaching at True Blue Equine

In addition to my work through Empowered Equestrian, I teach the Rainbow Riders program at True Blue Equine, in Forest Lake, MN. Working with young riders, aged 4-12, to build foundational horsemanship skills, confidence, and a positive relationship with horses.

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Why Work with Empowered Equestrian?

✅Horse-First: Behavior is communication, not something to simply suppress.
✅Whole-Picture: I consider movement, behavior, communication, and the human in the partnership.
✅Practical: You'll leave with things you can actually use and your goals matter.
✅Individualized: No cookie-cutter training plans. Your horse and your goals matter.

What I Don't Offer

❌ Full-time training or board-and-train
❌Quick-fix behavior solutions
❌Competition-focused riding instruction
❌Veterinary, emergency, or rehabilitation services

My work is best suited for owners who want to better understand their horse and actively participate in the process.

What Clients Are Saying

"I particularly want to highlight Liz's work with the kids—she is truly exceptional. Liz is a natural teacher, demonstrating incredible patience, calmness, and approachability in every single class. For any parent looking for an instructor who connects effortlessly with children, Liz is the answer. She has a unique talent for balancing the curriculum; she makes the class fun, yet the kids leave having learned a ton about horsemanship, safety, and riding technique.
It's great to find an equine program that manages to instill strong skills while maintaining such a supportive and low-pressure atmosphere. We highly recommend True Blue Equine not just for young children who are just starting out, but for riders of all levels looking to grow their skills in a positive setting." - Jason Maynard, Parent of Rainbow Riders Students, True Blue Equine"...The progress that your clients have made under your instruction has been very impressive. I am so proud of how much you have grown as an instructor these past few years. You always encourage your students to discover what they can do and not focus on what they can't do. That takes creativity and imagination and a whole lot of faith in the entire team of riders, volunteers and horses. Thank you for having faith. It is what inspires people (and horses) to keep trying." - Michelle Haury, Head Instructor at We Can Ride

Ready to explore what’s possible with your horse?

Send me a brief email to get started. Helpful details to include:
• Your name and your horse’s name, age, and breed
• The service(s) you’re interested in
• Your general location

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Conditioning for Stronger, More Balanced Horses

Best For: Older horses • Rehab/prehab support • Weakness • Balance • CoordinationWhat We Work On:
Strength • Movement • Body awareness • BalanceSessions: Starting at $75Location: On-site, Twin Cities metro

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What is Conditioning?

Conditioning is the process of improving a horse’s strength, balance, coordination, and movement through intentional, structured exercise.Think of it as a fitness program designed specifically for your horse.Just as we understand the importance of proper movement in our own bodies, it’s essential to apply that same awareness to our horses. A horse’s body is designed to move, but without the right guidance, they can develop muscle imbalances, compensation patterns, and tension that impact performance and long-term soundness.Many horse owners and trainers are taught that horses only need to be ridden and lunged. But what happens when these methods are no longer enough - or when they begin to reveal underlying physical limitations?This is where conditioning becomes essential.Through beginner-friendly groundwork techniques, targeted exercises, and progressive movement work, conditioning helps address common physical challenges such as:

At Empowered Equestrian, my goal is to help you better understand your horse’s body and give you the tools to improve how they move - from the ground up.

My Approach to Conditioning

At Empowered Equestrian, conditioning is approached as a partnership between horse and handler, from the ground up.I focus on:

Every program is designed to be realistic and sustainable for both the horse and the humans working with them. This approach creates lasting change by focusing on how the horse moves all the time, not just when they are working.

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Conditioning Services

All sessions are approximately 60 minutes unless otherwise noted.

Groundwork and Liberty Services

All sessions are approximately 60 minutes unless otherwise noted.

Rider Body Awareness Sessions

Every session includes personalized notes and recommended exercises to continue your progress between sessions.Your first session is approximately 90 minutes, allowing for a thorough discussion of your goals, an assessment of your movement, and personalized coaching during your ride.Follow-up sessions are typically 60 minutes, focusing on building on your progress and refining your skills. Longer sessions can be arranged if needed.

Ready to Get Started?

Let's build a conditioning plan tailored to your horse.

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Groundwork and Liberty Training for Improved Behavior and Connection

Troubleshoot behavior problems by finding the root cause and improving your communication with your horse.

Why Groundwork Matters

Groundwork is more than something you do before getting in the saddle - it is where real understanding begins.When we take the rider out of the equation, we can clearly see how a horse moves, thinks, and responds without added pressure or compensation. This allows us to identify the root cause of behavior challenges rather than just managing symptoms.Beyond being incredibly beneficial, it’s also a lot of fun. Groundwork is so much more than hand walking or endless lunging. Horses are more than something to ride, and groundwork gives you the opportunity to enjoy time with your horse in a different way - even on the days you aren’t able to get in the saddle.This work creates a foundation that carries into everything you do with your horse.

Where Liberty Fits In

Liberty and groundwork are not separate systems - they are deeply connected.Groundwork gives your horse the skills and understanding. Liberty reveals the relationship behind those skills.When you remove the halter, lead rope, and physical pressure, what remains is communication, trust, and choice. Liberty highlights how well your horse truly understands you - and how much they want to engage.Incorporating Liberty into training allows us to:
• Strengthen connection and trust
• Encourage true engagement instead of compliance
• Reveal holes in communication in a clear, honest way
• Build a horse that chooses to stay connected, even without pressure.Together, groundwork and Liberty create a balanced approach that supports both the horse's body and mind.

My Approach

My work blends principles of equine behavior, biomechanics, clear communication, and multiple training techniques to help horses and humans understand each other better.With over 20 years of experience and a background in animal behavior, I focus on:
• Identifying why a behavior is happening
• Supporting the horse physically and mentally
• Giving owners practical tools they can confidently applyThis isn't about forcing change - it's about creating it in a way that lasts.

Ready to Understand your Horse on a Deeper Level?

Whether you're dealing with a specific challenge or simply want to build a better connection, groundwork and liberty can transform how you and your horse communicate.

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Rider Body Awareness

A fancy way of saying riding lessons where the focus is on you - the rider.

Why Not Just Say "Riding Lessons"?

The term riding lessons can mean almost anything - from someone's very first ride to advanced competition coaching. While those are all valuable, my focus is different.Rather than teaching you what to do, I want to help you understand why your body moves the way it does and how those movements communicate with your horse.Have you ever spent an entire lesson hearing, "More leg," "Sit up taller," or "Keep your toes in," but never really understood how to make those changes?I know that feeling because I've been there myself.Instead of simply correcting your positions, I look at how your body naturally moves. Are your hips tight? Is one side stronger than the other? Do you consistently collapse through one shoulder or struggle more in one direction? Together, we'll identify what's happening, why it's happening, and practical ways to improve both in and out of the saddle.When your body becomes more balanced and aware, your horse receives clearer, more consistent communication - and that benefits both of you.

What a Session Includes

Every rider is different, so every session starts with a conversation. We'll discuss your goals, any challenges you've noticed, and any physical limitations or concerns you'd like to address.From there, we'll ride much like a typical lesson - working at the walk, trot, and canter as appropriate for you and your horse. Throughout the ride, I'll observe how your body moves, identify patterns that may be affecting your communication with your horse, and explain what I'm seeing in real time. Together, we'll experiment with small adjustments to find what works best for your body.If appropriate, I'll also recommend simple off-horse exercises or stretches to improve mobility, strength, balance, and body awareness so you can continue making progress between rides.My goal isn't to create a "perfect" position - it's to help you better understand your body so you can communicate more clearly, ride more comfortably, and build a stronger partnership with your horse.

Ready to Understand your Body, Improve your Communication, and Strengthen your Partnership?

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