I’m Gayle Dauverd. Before I had my first pony, I used to tack my dad up and make him trot around the living room. I’m 57 now, and I’ve spent my entire life chasing everything horse.

My main focus is rider/horse biomechanics, and using somatic techniques to enhance the riders experiences. I also have a longstanding fascination with hooves and continue my practice as a trimmer.

When my son died in 2019, I had to find a way to release the trauma from his death or it would have consumed me. Five years later, I’m thriving because somatic therapy taught me how to release trauma and more importantly.. how to avoid being traumatized. Now I teach people how to find their safety with horses – somatically and biomechanically.

You can learn more about me here.

No, I am not a therapist. I am a horse professional that teaches somatic techniques along with the biomechanics of horse and rider.

This is not a substitution for mental health professionals.

The truth is that horses are inherently dangerous animals, and our body knows this. When we are in danger, our body reacts in ways we have no control over, such as pulling on the reins. Until you have a way to replace the act of pulling to feel safe, you will never stop pulling – your body won’t let you. Your body is always trying to keep you safe!

You may have had falls or accidents that traumatized you, or you may simply be a HSP – highly sensitive person – who’s awareness allows you to feel everything a little too much for comfort.

I teach you how to feel true safety in your riding and horsemanship through the somatic and biomechanic lens.

Soma means “the body”. Somatic techniques teach you how to release trauma from your body without ever having to relive the trauma. You learn to focus on the sensations in the body and how to work with them in relation to any given situation in your life. This a skill that will serve you in all walks of life, not just with horses.

Biomechanics can sound intimidating, but when taught sympathetically , they supply you with the right building blocks to shape your horse into the correct form to carry a rider without harm to their body. These are the basics everyone talks about needing, but are so elusive to learn.

You might be wondering why you’ve never of somatic and biomechanics techniques before. While somatics are not a new field of study, they haven’t yet become mainstream in the horse world. I believe this is because the horse world is very traditional, which culturally is a beautiful thing.

Unfortunately it leaves the majority of riders with major holes in their riding, and a deep feeling that there must be something else, something that they are not being taught – something that good riders do naturally. If you’ve had that feeling, you are correct.

This is a great question, because we know that all people are different. What I love about this system is that it meets you wherever you are. You can be a horse person or rider of any level for these techniques to improve your riding and horsemanship. Consistent reflection and feedback will help assess and track your journey.

Every program has a different pricing structure.

Courses and workshops that are self led are at one tier of pricing.

Courses that are led by me for a group are at another tier of pricing.

Courses and workshops that require my physical presence are at another tier of pricing.

Masterclasses are priced individually as they are custom designed for the client.

For generalizations regarding our most popular courses, please refer to the page Core Offerings

We do offer a year long Masterclass that is completely tailored to the individuals needs. That can involve members of my team who are practitioners of body work and physical therapy for both human and horse, complete nutritional equine profiles by a trained nutritionist, access to a world class horse dentist, dynamic saddle consultation and hoof rehabilitation.

These services can be structured for one horse/rider or for an entire barn.

If this is something you are interested in exploring, email Gayle directly to begin that conversation. This offering is limited by availability.

Anyone seeking personal or professional growth can benefit from these offerings. Whether you’re facing challenges, aiming to elevate your performance, or simply wish to understand yourself and your horses better, The Fearless Equestrian can help to reshape your mindset, and give you new skills to that is designed to empower you inside and outside of the barn.

Beginner to advanced adult amateurs, professionals, barn owners, riding teams all benefit from this work.

You can expect enhanced clarity in your horse relationships, improved decision-making for both you and your horse, assistance in the ability to overcome limiting beliefs, and a productive, proactive approach to challenges and fears. This often leads to increased confidence, greater satisfaction with your horses, and progress in your riding and horse goals.

Of course all of these things rely on your commitment to yourself and your horse. This is the ultimate self care for equestrians.

If you’d like to explore working one on one, simply reach out to me via our How to work with me page. We’ll schedule an initial consultation to discuss your goals, answer any questions, and determine the best course, workshop or program tailored to your needs.

If you’d prefer to take one of the webinars or self-led programs, there is a button at each description that will lead you to a registration page.