Alison Varga, Provisional Psychologist

Course Length: 1 Hour 35 Minutes

“Your internal state shapes the connection you share with your horse.”

In this thoughtful and insightful Inhand Equine Therapy Team Talk, Alison Varga, Provisional Psychologist, explores the often-overlooked connection between mental health, emotional awareness, and our relationship with our horses.

Together, participants will delve into the role emotions play in shaping our internal and external environments, gaining a deeper understanding that every emotion carries value. Alison introduces ways to become more comfortable with our emotional experiences—learning not only to accept them, but to work with them, even harnessing our inner “chestnut mare” when needed.

This session also examines the dynamic relationship between the human nervous system and the horse, with a strong emphasis on the importance of safety—for both horse and handler. Participants will explore how we self-regulate, how our internal states influence those around us, and how horses naturally respond through a process known as co-regulation—often adjusting their own heart rate and breathing in an effort to support and calm us.

Drawing from psychological principles and practical application, this webinar provides a deeper understanding of dysregulation, regulation, and co-regulation, and how each state can be recognized and utilized to support a more grounded, connected partnership.

This course is ideal for riders, equine professionals, and anyone interested in strengthening their awareness, emotional resilience, and connection with their horse through the lens of mental health and nervous system function.

Key Topics Covered:

✔️ Understanding the role and value of emotions in our daily experience
✔️ Becoming more comfortable with emotional awareness and expression
✔️ Exploring the connection between the human nervous system and the horse
✔️ The importance of safety and its impact on both horse and handler
✔️ Self-regulation strategies and recognizing personal patterns
✔️ Co-regulation — how horses respond to and support human emotional states
✔️ Differentiating between dysregulation, regulation, and co-regulation
✔️ Building a more grounded, connected partnership through awareness

What You'll Learn

1. How your mental and emotional state influences your horse and your partnership