A bit about me..
Hi, welcome to my website, my name is Tamar. Horses have been my greatest teachers throughout my life. The lessons I’ve gained from working with them have profoundly influenced other areas of my life, and even now, I continue to learn from them every single day.
My love affair with horses began at a young age. As a child, I spent countless hours watching them in their paddock, caring for them, riding, and completing barn chores. I never truly recovered from the “bug.” Even when I tried to pursue other interests, horses always found their way back into my life – and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
My journey started in the world of traditional English riding training, where I often felt I was too sensitive, too soft, too timid, and never quite a strong enough rider. However, I was determined, and over the years, I learned to ride in the way that was expected of me. For many years, I even taught others to ride using those same methods.
But the truth was, I didn’t feel fulfilled. Gradually, I began to drift away from the horse world. When I returned, everything had changed. I discovered alternative ways of working with horses, far removed from the forceful methods I’d been taught. “Owning” my own horses gave me the freedom to explore new approaches to teaching and training – and this has been an incredible learning journey for me.
I invite you to join me on this journey of growth, connection, and discovery. As your guide, I’ll share the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained, helping you deepen your understanding and build a stronger bond with your horse. Together, we’ll explore paths that create deeper harmony and mutual respect, so you can continue learning and growing alongside these remarkable animals.
If you’re curious to see if we’re a good fit to work together, you are welcome to book a free call – I’d love to connect and discuss how I can support your journey.
A bit of history
In 1996, at the age of 16, I completed my Assistant Instructor certificate and began giving beginner riding lessons. In 2003, I earned my Instructor certificate (IGEQ) and have been teaching ever since at various large riding schools. I was born and raised in Israel, travelled as an adult, and worked as a groom in both Germany and the USA. I settled in New Zealand in 2010, where I met Dwayne, and we have three beautiful girls together. After taking a few years off from working with horses to focus on raising my children, I felt a strong calling to return to working with horses—but this time, things were different.
Having my own horses, along with the personal growth I’ve experienced over the years, including the transformative journey of becoming a mother, inspired me to explore new ways of handling and training horses. The equine world is evolving, with ongoing research, new training methods, and a deeper understanding of horse behaviour. By learning from experts around the globe, staying updated on the latest research, and exploring new approaches in my own way, I am continuously growing—both as a person and as a horse trainer. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping both people and horses improve their lives and well-being.
Our equine partners deserve the highest respect and appreciation. The days of using force and fear to make horses do what we want are slowly fading. We are entering a new era of horsemanship, and I am proud to be part of this positive movement.
What’s in the name
I believe that a connection with the horse is the foundation of everything we do with them. I also feel that human connections are a crucial part of creating a healthy learning environment. Heart to Heart is about that connection—between people, between people and horses, and between horses themselves.
Originally, I called it Heart to Heart Riding, but after a while, I realised that this name felt limiting. What I have to offer is much more than just riding lessons, and I wanted the name to reflect that. So, I changed "Riding" to "Equine" to encompass everything we do with horses.
Communication
Any interaction with a horse is a constant conversation. Horses communicate in such subtle ways that it is often missed by people. When we learn to read these subtle communication signals from horses, we can also begin to communicate at the same level, through energy.
Clear two-way communication is the pathway to achieving our goals with horses. If the horse doesn’t understand you, no amount of either force or kindness will get you the results you’re after. If you don’t understand your horse, despite your best intentions, you are likely to miss important signals from them and, therefore, not achieve the results you want.
When we learn to listen to what a horse is whispering, they don’t need to shout. For example, if you notice your horse giving you signals of pain, you may be able to avoid that bucking that seems to come “out of the blue” – and so much more.
Connection
The feeling that your horse (or any equine you love) and you are in deep connection and harmony with each other, even if only for a moment, is priceless!
As magical as that feeling is, anyone who has ever worked with horses knows there are many other types of moments that lead to that special one – and they are all special.
All our mistakes, the lessons we learn along the way, the moments of frustration, and the little achievements – they are all beautiful and precious moments. Because we choose to spend those moments in a meaningful way, we strive to do the best we can for our horses and ourselves, to the best of our knowledge and ability at the time. We choose to continue to grow and learn from our mistakes. Thankfully, we have such forgiving and willing partners.
Join the Skool Community
Get together with other horse lovers who are passionate about improving their horses’ wellbeing, and are committed to learning and growing in order to make this a better world for horses.
In this community you are welcome to ask any questions or bring up topics for discussions.
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