Coaching and Support Services
Helping You and Your Equine Thrive, Every Step of the Way
Every equine-human duo has its own unique needs, which is why I’ve developed a range of services to provide personalized support. Through a thorough onboarding process, we’ll work together to create a training plan that aligns with your goals, focusing on skills, emotional balance, and building a stronger partnership. Explore my service offerings below to see how I can help you and your equine on your journey.
Onboarding Process: A Foundation for Success
Each new student begins with a comprehensive onboarding process designed to ensure that every training session is personalized to you and your equine partner’s unique needs.
Detailed Assessment Questionnaire
To start, I’ll ask you to complete an in-depth questionnaire, helping me understand your goals, your equine’s background, and any specific challenges you’re facing.Video Submission
I’ll also ask for a series of video submissions showing different aspects of handling and care. These videos give me a complete picture of your equine’s behavior and current skills, setting the stage for a targeted training plan.Customized Training Plan
Using the insights from your questionnaire and videos, I’ll develop a tailored training plan that aligns with both your and your equine’s needs and goals.Coaching Call to Review and Adjust
Once your plan is ready, we’ll have a coaching call to review it together. I’ll go over each step, answer any questions, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the plan is a perfect fit.Flexible Ongoing Sessions
From here, you’ll decide how many sessions you need every four weeks and the type of support that works best for you—whether that’s coaching calls, video reviews, or a mix of both.
Virtual Coaching
My Virtual Coaching sessions offer a personalized approach to help you and your equine grow together, no matter where you are. These 1-hour calls combine in-depth theory with practical guidance, tailored to meet your specific needs. During each session, we’ll focus on both positive reinforcement (R+) techniques and emotional balance/regulation strategies, helping you build a strong foundation in understanding and supporting your equine.
Each session is a balance of topics I believe would benefit you based on your progress so far and subjects of your choice. I always begin by asking about your priorities, ensuring that the call addresses the questions and challenges most relevant to you. Whether we’re diving into equine learning theory, evaluating recent progress, adjusting your training plan, or discussing new techniques, our time together is designed to provide clarity, insight, and actionable steps.
With each session, I aim to leave you feeling empowered, confident, and ready to take the next steps on your journey.
“During our coaching calls, we discuss equine learning theory, practical approaches to the current challenge I am facing, as well as next steps on our journey.”
— Gretchen W., Port Townsend, WA
Video Reviews
In my Video Reviews, students have the opportunity to receive in-depth, personalized feedback on their training sessions. You can send up to 10 minutes of footage, whether it’s a single video or a series of clips, capturing a specific behavior, equine body language, or the dynamic between you and your equine. My goal is to provide actionable insights and highlight both the strengths of your approach and areas where small adjustments can make a big difference.
Each review is done as a voice-over video in which I pause and slow down sections when needed to thoroughly explain techniques, theory, or behavior cues. Reviews generally last around 40 minutes, giving us plenty of time to break down important details and explore deeper insights. I include links to additional resources when relevant, all of which you’ll receive along with the video link in your inbox.
A unique benefit of the video review format is that it allows you to revisit the feedback at any time. This flexibility enables you to track your progress and go back to previous reviews to see how far you’ve come. I encourage students to rewatch their reviews as a way to build on their improvements and deepen their understanding.
My feedback provides a balance between recognizing what’s already being done well and offering step-by-step guidance for improvement. Students often find that this approach not only enhances their skills but also builds confidence and clarity in their training. My goal is to empower you with the tools and insights to be self-sufficient and, if you wish, to one day lead your own training with confidence.
“Aria’s video reviews are so rewarding to watch – she is an astute observer! She highlights moments where my mare is cooperating, where I’m responding to her communication, and where I missed an opportunity to listen.”
— Gretchen W., Port Townsend, WA
In-Person Coaching
My In-Person Coaching sessions offer a unique, hands-on approach tailored to the needs of you and your equine, providing real-time feedback and personalized guidance. Conducted at your location, these sessions allow your equine to learn in a familiar, low-stress environment. I ask that you spend about 30 minutes connecting with your equine in the designated training area before our session begins. This way, we can start the session with your equine feeling calm and comfortable.
Each session typically lasts an hour and involves a mix of practical exercises and observational learning. You’ll work with your equine in short, focused sessions of around 10 minutes, during which I’ll offer live feedback, highlighting both what’s working well and where small adjustments could help. Between these mini sessions, we take breaks to discuss theory, practice the mechanics of specific techniques, and explore topics like calming signals, equine body language, and optimal training methods.
I believe that your relationship with your equine should take center stage, so I focus on supporting your work with your equine rather than demonstrating with them directly. This approach gives you the tools and confidence to develop your own way of working together, with my guidance as a supportive resource.
“Aria is such a lovely person, very committed to her career with Connection Training, has a keen sense of people and horses, a great troubleshooter, creative, and a friend.”
— Gale K., Solvang, CA, USA
Ongoing Support for Students
To support you throughout your training journey, I offer ongoing support via email between coaching calls, video reviews, and in-person coaching. If questions arise or additional guidance is needed as you work through your training plan, I’m here to help ensure you and your equine stay on track. This additional access to guidance and encouragement sets my coaching apart, offering reassurance that help is available whenever you need it.
“Aria has made it easy to work with her via distance, she is always prepared, has great suggestions and encourages the slightest try (in the horse AND the owner!). I highly encourage anyone that feels a little lost about reward-based training to connect with Aria!”
— Lisa T., Ware MA USA
Clinics
I offer customized clinics for facilities interested in providing in-depth training sessions on positive reinforcement, emotional regulation, and equine behavior techniques. Clinics can be theoretical, hands-on, or a blend of both depending on the facility’s available equines and resources.
Hosting a Clinic: If you’re interested in organizing a clinic with me, I’ll need a safe, well-maintained facility with ample space for group sessions and demonstrations. Travel and lodging expenses, along with a designated contact to assist with logistics, will ensure a smooth and effective clinic experience. My preference is for equines already at the hosting facility to be available for hands-on work; however, I’m also open to working exclusively with participants on theory and observation if this isn’t possible.
Clinics provide a unique opportunity for participants to gain hands-on skills, observe behavior up close, and deepen their understanding of how to foster a trusting, compassionate relationship with their equines. If you’re ready to help your students or clients develop their skills, reach out to discuss how we can create a clinic experience tailored to your facility.
“Aria is a font of information and is eager to share it with her students. Her warm, caring, and friendly manner makes her very approachable.”
— Lisa T., Ware, MA, USA
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Whether you’re interested in hands-on coaching, tailored video reviews, or organizing a clinic, I’m here to support you and your equine in reaching your goals. Every equine-human partnership is unique, and I’d love to help you build a compassionate and rewarding relationship with your equine.
Let’s Connect! Reach out today to discuss your needs, ask questions, or explore how we can work together to create positive, lasting progress.