Rewriting the Relationship: Building Trust with Horses on Their Terms
Must Love Horses Interviews Adele Shaw - The Willing Equine
A lifelong horse enthusiast turned professional equestrian and certified equine behavior consultant, Adele Shaw's (aka the Willing Equine) journey has been one of constant evolution. After starting with traditional equestrian training methods, Adele began to question old paradigms of dominance and control, leading to a career shift toward positive reinforcement-based training and equine behavioral science. Her work is centered on giving horses a voice, advocating for ethical training, and helping humans better understand their equine partners, especially those with challenging histories.
"Just because someone speaks with authority or is successful doesn’t mean they actually know what they’re doing—or that it’s right for you"
1. What about horses captured your heart and made you fall in love with them?
Like many young girls, I was absolutely in love with horses from a very young age. I don’t know exactly what drew me to them but I was head over heels. I collected model horses, toy horses, horse books, horse pictures… you name it.
When my parents allowed me to go to a horse summer camp for the first time that really sealed the deal for me. It’s probably a bit of a cliche at this point, but their beauty, strength, and gentleness really won me over.
2. In your experience, what’s the most fulfilling moment or accomplishment you’ve had while working with horses?
I’ve had many moments that have really stuck with me over the years. Times where I witnessed complete transformations, times where I experienced their healing ability for people and each other, and times where I was just in awe by their emotional capacity and understanding.
However one that comes to mind first was many years ago when I was deep into my own transformation as an equestrian and horse person. I was really re-evaluating everything I knew about horses and exploring new things. I had recently started experimenting with incorporating more positive reinforcement into my training, as well as focusing on putting the relationship with my horse first and foremost.
One of my herd at the time was a deeply traumatized and distrusting mare who had been roughly handled for many years prior to living with me. When I first got Tiger it took many hours to catch her from the pasture, she was terrified of reins, she’d buck and bolt under saddle, and you couldn’t use a bit without her going straight up. I had tried *everything* I had learned in my many years as an equestrian (as a professional too), only to keep hitting a wall with her.
Well, I finally got out of my comfort zone and tried something new. It didn’t happen overnight, but I have such a distinct memory of the first time Tiger came trotting up to meet me at the gate. She was excited to go do something together for the first time ever. I was speechless, and I absolutely teared up. It was such a moving and exciting moment.
Moments like these are what I find most fulfilling. Times where it’s clear trust and connection are beginning to develop in a true partnership.
3. For someone just starting their journey with horses, what’s the first piece of advice you would give them to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience?
Trust your instincts on what feels right. The horse world has deep roots in dominance and authoritarian based training. Many instructors and trainers will try and explain it as something the horse needs or wants, or in a way that sounds natural and necessary. This can be misleading, and can result in pushing yourself to accept something that feels wrong deep down.
Just because someone has more years of experience, speaks with authority, or is successful, it doesn’t mean they actually know what they are doing or that it’s the right thing for you.
4. If you could sit down for a conversation with any horseman or horsewoman—past or present—who would it be and why?
Probably that would be Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Reading her book “Animals in Translation” was revolutionary to me early on. The idea of viewing the world and behavior the way our horses see the world and behavior was something I had never considered.
Even as a young competitive equestrian who spent countless hours around horses and surrounded by professional instructors and trainers, nobody had ever stopped and said “He’s probably spooky because the light change right there at the entrance to the arena.” . It was always “He’s just being difficult and doesn’t want to go in, make him do it.”
I deeply appreciate the inspiration to think deeper and put aside my human ego to consider things from the horse’s perspective. I didn’t know it at the time, but learning from Temple Grandin was one big influence on my decision to become a certified equine behavior consultant and deep dive into my passion to help horses and people better understand each other.
Thank you, Adele!
Welcome back to Must Love Horses. Here’s to learning about each other's love for horses. I hope you join the blog's journey ahead. Check out more interviews: