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Warwick Schiller on Attunement, Connection, and Trust in Horsemanship | EP 24 Equine Assisted World

/ 01:56:48/E24

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Warwick Schiller, renowned horseman and creator of Attuned Horsemanship. Warwick is widely recognized for his transformative approach to horse training, which focuses on attunement, connection, and creating a sense of safety for the horse. Through his Journey On Podcast and extensive teaching, Warwick has helped thousands of riders and trainers understand the deeper layers of horsemanship and how true awareness changes everything.
Together, Rupert and Warwick explore the concept of attunement—how being truly present and aware influences both horses and people. They discuss how small, subtle shifts in attention can have profound effects on behavior, trust, and emotional regulation. They also dive into sleep deprivation in horses, the power of following rather than controlling, and what it really means to develop a deep partnership with an equine partner.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Understanding Attunement and Connection (Starts at 02:20)
  • The definition of attunement and why it matters in horsemanship.
  • How attunement applies to both horses and people.
  • Warwick’s journey to understanding deep connection.
The Role of Awareness in Building Trust (Starts at 16:10)
  • The difference between “trusting you won’t hurt me” and “trusting your awareness to keep me safe.”
  • How observing small signals from your horse builds trust over time.
  • The science behind attunement and safety in mammals.
The Power of Giving Up Control (Starts at 36:27)
  • Why giving up control doesn’t mean losing control.
  • How allowing horses to make choices increases connection.
  • Exercises for developing attunement by matching steps and mirroring behavior.
How Sleep Deprivation Affects Horses (Starts at 56:10)
  • Why some horses struggle with sleep deprivation and what it means.
  • How Warwick accidentally helped a sleep-deprived horse by simply listening.
  • The connection between feeling safe and being able to sleep.
Integrating Attunement into Riding and Training (Starts at 1:14:22)
  • Why training should be about awareness, not just technique.
  • The role of breath and relaxation in riding.
  • How to ensure your horse is mentally and emotionally present before asking for movement.
Practical Tools for Creating Attunement in Everyday Training (Starts at 1:36:27)
  • Simple ways to start building attunement today.
  • The “look where they look” technique and why it’s so powerful.
  • How mirroring movement builds trust and awareness.
Memorable Moments from the Episode:
  • The story of the Mustang who overcame bolting through attunement (12:03).
  • How giving a horse space to “say no” transformed its willingness (45:36).
  • The unexpected link between sleep deprivation and emotional regulation in horses (1:04:00).
  • The revelation that attunement and safety go hand in hand (1:42:38).
  • Why trust is built on recognizing and repairing ruptures in connection (1:44:17).
Connect with Warwick Schiller:

See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:
🌐 Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com 

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New Trails Learning Systems
🌐 Website: https://ntls.co
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Tune in to this inspiring conversation with Warwick Schiller to rethink your approach to horsemanship and connection!
Warwick Schiller on Attunement, Connection, and Trust in Horsemanship | EP 24 Equine Assisted World

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