Healing a Traumatized Mare: How Nervous System Work Transformed Fear into Partnership with Nicky Sharp

Is your horse reactive, defensive, or shutting down? Nicky Sharp reveals how healing her own anxiety and nervous system transformed her relationship with Jessie, a traumatized mare who reared, bit, and defended herself "at all costs." When Nicky bought what she thought was a "safe" hacking horse, she brought home a shut-down mare with deep trauma. While battling her own work-related stress and anxiety, everyone told her she'd made a terrible mistake. Instead of selling Jessie, Nicky made a crucial discovery: she needed to heal her own nervous system first. In this episode, you'll learn: Why traditional training methods fail with traumatized horses The nervous system connection between human and horse anxiety Specific lifestyle changes that transformed both partnerships: meditation, sleep hygiene, phone boundaries, and alcohol reduction How to read your horse's stress signals and respond appropriately Freedom-based training techniques that build trust over dominance Why "doing nothing" with your horse can be the most powerful training tool How to handle yard criticism when you're working differently with your horse The breakthrough moment: When Nicky stopped trying to train skills and started building relationship, everything changed. Seven years later, Jessie greets her with daily whinnies, they hack out solo, and even compete in dressage - all achieved through connection rather than control. Nicky also shares practical advice for overwhelmed horse owners: the 7 foundations for nervous system regulation, how to start with just one minute of daily meditation, and why buying a £10 alarm clock changed her entire relationship with sleep and stress. This isn't just about horse training - it's about becoming the calm, consistent leader your horse needs by first healing yourself. Find Nicky on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickysharp Facebook: Nicky Sharp Instagram: @_nicky_sharp Resources mentioned: Warwick Schiller's connection exercises Elsa Sinclair's Freedom-Based Training 101 (free on YouTube) The Masterson Method for trauma release www.curiousequestrian.co.uk