About Me
Hi, I’m Lisa – the horsewoman behind Willing By Nature.
Horse people often talk about the “horse gene”: Those who have it feel an irresistible pull toward horses, sometimes without an obvious rhyme or reason. That’s me. I grew up in Toronto, far from farm life, where my only glimpses of horses came from television or my yearly visit to the Horse Palace at the Canadian National Exhibition. Despite this, even as a very young girl I was drawn to them, and I relished every glimpse.
As soon as I was old enough to work, I saved for riding lessons. I loved being on horseback, but felt something was missing – I didn’t want to just ride horses, I wanted to know them. For years, I worked and rode at different barns, spending every spare moment watching, listening, and learning from the horses themselves.
My connection with animals eventually led me to several years of wildlife rescue work at Canada’s busiest wildlife centre, where my horsemanship skills became unexpectedly valuable. The patience, feel, and awareness I’d developed around horses helped me read the subtle signs of fear and stress in wild animals. In turn, working hands-on with injured and frightened wildlife deepened my sensitivity to body language, thresholds, and pressure-and-release – all of which fed back into my understanding of horses and how they experience the world.
In 2010, I found my way to a natural horsemanship centre and discovered a community that saw horses the way I did – as thinking, feeling partners with their own needs and opinions. That discovery empowered me to seek out more – more methods, more philosophies, more teachers, more experiences. I immersed myself in everything from equine psychology, training and teaching methods, to physiology, hoof care and nutrition – anything that expanded my understanding of horses and how they live in the human world.
After years of learning and quietly helping others, I created Willing By Nature to share what I’ve learned more openly and support horsepeople in deepening their connection with their horses.
Please visit my Services page to learn more, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to connect or book a session.
Philosophy
Horses are far more than assets, tools, or extensions of our ambitions. They are masterpieces of evolution: the ultimate prey animal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Horses changed the course of human history and helped shape our modern world. The partnership between apex predator and ultimate prey, so improbable in nature, became one of the most defining and influential relationships since the dawn of humanity.
Though they no longer serve on battlefields, farms, or in transport, horses remain deeply woven into the fabric of human life. Why? Because we still need them – not as workers, but as guides, teachers, and companions. As Buck Brannaman said, “Your horse is a mirror to your soul. Sometimes you might not like what you see. Sometimes you will.” Horses reflect us with honesty and grace, showing that true connection begins within ourselves. Time spent with them nourishes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Horses are social, intelligent, and willing by nature. Most challenges between horse and human arise from fear, discomfort, or misunderstanding. My goal is not to “fix” your horse in isolation, but to help you discover your own clarity, timing, and intuition – and through that, awaken the willing nature in your horse.
What I teach isn’t tied to any one discipline or sport. As Karen Rohlf reminds us, “Most of your dressage problems aren’t really dressage problems.” Most of our equestrian issues take root long before they appear in the arena, and may be traced back to the way we lead, feed, handle, or even approach our horses. It’s remarkable how quickly a horse’s whole expression can change when understanding replaces confusion.
There are many wonderful instructors who can help refine your technical riding skills, but my focus is on helping you understand your horse and create a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. My lessons start on the ground or in the “classroom” – whatever that means for you – and transition to the saddle when you and your horse are working cooperatively, confidently, and willingly. Whether your goals include confident trail riding, quiet connection in the pasture, or high-level performance, I’ll help you define your vision and develop the partnership to bring it to life.