59. How Playfulness Helps Horses Learn and Perform Better with Giorgia Ghizzoni

When most riders hear “playfulness” in horse training, they picture liberty work, toys, or something that feels… optional.But what if play isn’t extra at all?What if it’s actually one of the most effective ways to prepare your horse’s body, mind, and nervous system for riding?In this episode, I sit down with Giorgia Ghizzoni, co-founder of Hatha Equus, to explore what playfulness really means—and why it has such a powerful impact on learning, performance, and connection.We talk about:The difference between playfulness and chaosIntrinsic motivation vs. compliance (and why it matters)How play improves coordination, confidence, and self-carriageWhy some horses resist—and what they might actually be telling youHow to start shifting from control to curiosity in your everyday workThis conversation goes far beyond toys and tricks. It’s about helping your horse want to participate, not just tolerate what you’re asking.If you’ve ever felt like something is missing in your training—or like there has to be a better way than pushing through—this episode will give you a new lens to look through.🎧 Stay until the end for this week’s Ten Minute Tuesday experiment to start applying this immediately.Find Giorgia at https://hathaequusinternational.comor on social media as Giorgia Ghizzoni and Hatha EquusGet the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.comFind me on social media as @equusenlightened.  Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free! https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/aboutYou can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightenedRead blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightenedFind out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership Email me at [email protected] Riding!