Tea Time with Elsa

Chatting About: Four Burners… Originally aired on: October 10th, 2026 In this episode we talk about our allotment of energy expenditure in different areas with horses. What are we prioritizing? Once we know what we want to prioritize, how do we put that into practice?

Chatting About: When Is Training Good enough?… Originally aired on: October 20th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how sometimes we don’t need to train more, we just need to gather good experiences together. This bank account of trust is the foundation for all the future training we do together. There will always be tasks that could be improved, but today is an experience that could be savored, and that is something that will make tomorrow’s tasks easier.

Chatting About: Easy Horses and Difficult Horses… Originally aired on: October 13th, 2026 In this episode we talk about the difference between easy horses and difficult horses. The difficult horses tend to get all the extra care and attention because they demand it, while often the easy horses get a bit neglected because they can sort themselves out. It would be so nice if our easy horses got all the same care as the difficult ones.

Chatting About: Horses want to be with you, when they can teach you something… Originally aired on: October 6th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how horses want to be understood as an individual before they want to seek harmony with others. Horses seem to be very patient as long as we show we are trying to learn who they are, what they like and what they don’t like. Before we can seek harmony with them and before we try to change them, they want to teach us who they are naturally.

Chatting About: Anticipate or Respond… Originally aired on: September 29th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how we anticipate a horse’s push or pull, and we respond to a horse’s curiosity. When in relationship those are really our only two options, to respond to events, or anticipate events. When we anticipate, we lower the need the horse has to get attention, and therefore we make that event less likely to repeat. When we respond, we reinforce that as a good way to get attention which makes that even more likely to repeat.

Chatting About: Persistence… Originally aired on: September 15th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how and when to persist in asking the horse to consider a human idea when they might prefer something different. I find “when” more important than “how”. The horse is always giving us signs that point to the probability of a good outcome or not. Reading the horse and then taking action with the understanding we have is what this art form is all about.

Tea With Elsa Episode 261 Chatting About: Repetition Before Duration… Originally aired on: September 15th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how valuable it is to embrace the repetitions of practicing the first step of any skill, before we consider the possibilities of doing it longer. The biggest mistakes I have made along the way as a horse trainer have been expecting my horses to maintain something I ask them to do before they have gained enough confidence from shorter repetitions.

Chatting About: The Foundation Work Of Simply Being… Originally aired on: August 29th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how sharing time with horses can sometimes be about simply being together without trying to change them. A “Watching Practice” sets the stage of understanding for all the training to come later.

Chatting About: Basic Needs First… Originally aired on: August 18th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how my understanding of the “Basic Needs” of a horse has become deeper over the years. Both horses and humans are herd animals and as such it is natural for them to value the needs of others they consider part of their herd. However, before they can act as a good herd member their “basic needs” must be addressed. Forage, Friends, Freedom and then beyond that, they need someone to acknowledge them as an individual with their own unique wants and needs. When we take the time to show them we understand them as individuals, we open up the possibilities around everyone becoming better partners.

Chatting About: Whimsy in Horse Training… Originally aired on: August 11th, 2026 In this episode we talk about how serious horse training can get and how perhaps, a little whimsy can be an incredible source of joy for everyone. What whimsical moments do you like to share with your horse?