Balanced Horsemanship: Wisdom Through Partnership
Leadership, presence, and partnership—through the honest language of horses.
Balanced Horsemanship is an invitation to come home to yourself through the wisdom of horses—and through the stillness of meditation.
Together with master horseman Jim Culver, I co-lead immersive clinics that blend the art of natural horsemanship with the practices of mindfulness and awareness. We explore how to lead not by force, but by attunement. How to communicate clearly, listen deeply, and meet the moment with grounded presence.
This isn’t about controlling horses—it’s about partnering with them. Learning their language. And in doing so, learning to listen more fully to your own.
It’s leadership through relationship.
Awareness through experience.
Wisdom through presence and partnership.
What you’ll learn:
You’ll learn how your body, energy, and attention shape every interaction.
You’ll practice making clear requests, holding boundaries with clarity and compassion, and staying centered when things get uncertain.
With daily guided meditations, you’ll also deepen your capacity for inner stillness and self-awareness—learning to notice, pause, and respond with intention rather than react from habit.
And you’ll receive honest, immediate feedback from a 1,000-pound teacher who doesn’t care about your résumé—but will mirror your internal state with striking accuracy.
No prior riding or meditation experience is needed. These clinics are for anyone drawn to the deep learning that horses—and mindful presence—can offer.
Special Focus on Awareness with Susa Talan
Our Three Peaks Ranch clinic offers a unique opportunity to deepen not only your horsemanship—but your presence.
We’re thrilled to welcome Susa Talan, a gifted Insight Meditation teacher, as our special guest for this clinic. Each morning, Susa will guide us in grounding, spacious meditation practice—creating a daily rhythm of awareness, stillness, and embodied listening.
This clinic blends horsemanship with awareness practice. You’ll work with horses in the arena and on the ground, but also spend intentional time attuning to your body, emotions, and mind. With Susa’s guidance, the retreat becomes part horsemanship clinic, part mindfulness immersion.
Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, Susa’s calm, clear teaching will help you meet the horses—and yourself—with more curiosity, steadiness, and compassion.
This is presence training—in every sense of the word.
What it looks like:
Each Day Includes:
Morning meditation with Susa Talan to build awareness, settle your nervous system, and start the day with presence
Horse bodywork to learn how to release tension and offer care through mindful touch
Groundwork exercises to practice clear communication, consistent energy, and boundary-setting
Riding time to apply what you’re learning—plus relaxed trail rides through the beautiful Three Peaks landscape
Evening reflections around the fire to process the day and connect with others
This clinic is hands-on and practical. You’ll leave with more than horsemanship tools—you’ll walk away with a stronger sense of awareness, confidence, and how to lead with clarity.
Who is this for?
These clinics are for people who are:
Curious about building trust-based relationships—with horses and humans
Interested in embodied leadership and learning through experience
Ready to slow down, show up honestly, and explore new ways of being
Open to learning meditation and bringing mindfulness into daily life
Whether you want to grow as a horseperson, a leader, or a human—you’re welcome here.
Upcoming Clinics
Diamond 4 Ranch — Lander, WY
September 3-7, 2025
Set high in the Wind River Range at over 10,000 feet, this clinic takes place at a remote, family-run dude ranch. Guests stay in cozy cabins or sheep wagons and ride through stunning alpine wilderness. The location adds both beauty and logistical complexity, reflected in the higher cost. It's an unforgettable experience for those ready for a true mountain retreat.
Investment: $3050 + gratuity
Three Peaks Ranch — Boulder, WY
September 17-21, 2025
Located in the sagebrush foothills of Wyoming, this clinic is hosted at NOLS’s horsepacking base—an epicenter for leadership development. Guests stay in a simple ranch house with private rooms, working with mustangs in a more rustic and hands-on environment. Rooted in daily horsemanship and relational learning, this version is pared down, accessible, and deeply experiential.
Investment: $2200
Clinic ($1500)
Room ($150) or camp for free
Meals ($150)
Horse Rental ($400)
*Camping, cooking on your own, and bringing your own horse are options we can discuss!*
