DOLLY COMMUNICATION
Advancing understanding,
communication and
ethical horse welfare.
Written and Created by Lorraine Mitchell - Member of the Animal Welfare Research Network (AWRN)
Founder of Dolly Communication CIC
A Different Way to Be With Your Horse.
The Middle Ground
If you love your horse but feel stuck, anxious, or unsure —
and you don’t want force, fear, or dominance-based training —
you are in the right place.
This website exists to help owners:
Build trust
Reduce stress
Strengthen connection
Replace control with understanding
Change does not happen through pressure.
It happens through awareness, small shifts, and safer leadership.
Every Good Relationship Starts with Listening
Start Your Free Learning Journey Here
Bring your Partner back into the Partnership
Before you start to listen to your horse, understand why listening
builds trust within your horse, a deeper connection, and a safer relationship.
The current urge to "push through" gets horse and rider into an increasing spiral of stress, that neither know how to escape.
This is not about judgement.
It is about understanding where you are,
and working with the horse in front of you today.
"Research shows that horses are so attuned to us that their heart rates increase simply because their handlers anticipate a stressful task—even if that task never happens (Keeling et al., 2009). This confirms what we feel: our horses aren't just reacting to the world; they are reacting to us."
Your horse does not want you to be perfect, brave or strong.
They want you to be authentic and present in the moment.
True to yourself and them.
Horses are our mirror, and they know when things aren't right with you.
People pay a lot of money to have horse therapy.
Yet owners override everything their horse is telling them,
because we are told they are being naughty or disrespectful
.
Being brave and pushing through doesn't fool us
and the horse knows.
Given the opportunity, the horse will help you.
So that you can face life together.
Follow the Flow of Free Learning
See the Connection
Discover how your mindset and emotions influence your horse’s behaviour.
Try my free audio experiments:
- to see how your horse is feeling before you start your day.
- and how your intention changes the way your horse reacts.
Record what you see and reflect on changes.
This isn't about being wrong , it is about understanding what you need as much as your horse.
Build Your Foundation of Calm
Change isn’t just practical — it’s emotional.
Learn how the way you feel impacts on your horse and how recognising your own state of mind isn't a fault but a step towards growth and understanding.
Discover how listening to your horse and yourself can make your relationship calmer and safer
Published Works on Amazon
Myths of the Horse World
Reveals how common advice can damage your relationship with your horse — and how trust can replace fear.
Regain Your Power on the Yard
Learn to stand in your own truth and prioritise what you feel is right for your horse
The Structured Learning Path
If you need a step-by-step path to understand your horse as a prey animal,
my 5-module course, 'Horse Listening for Beginners',
offers deep reflection units and interactive quizzes to measure your growth.
Buying this course for just £88 is the primary way you can support this CIC,
allowing me to keep the rest of the library free for everyone.
The Vision
"I learned the most important lessons of my life from a horse named Dolly. She taught me that when the 'system' fails, the only thing that remains is the truth of the connection. Like most of us, I didn't listen or didn't understand at the time.
I do this work in her honor, so that other horses and owners can find the peace she gave me, although that journey was never easy.
My deepest regret is that I didn't get it right until it was nearly too late. I want you to find the answers while you still have the chance to enjoy your time with your horse.
As partners in whatever you choose to do together"
The Heart Behind the Foundation
Science based knowledge is free here because your horse needs you to know.
I believe the path to a peaceful horse should never be hidden behind a paywall. That is why I established this as a Community Interest Company (CIC).
My mission is to provide the truth about horse-human connection—through my books, articles, and guides—at little or no cost to you. These resources aren't "freebies"; they are the distilled experience of a horse's lifetime spent listening and the enlightenment after losing her.
I offer them freely because the horse deserves for you to have this information, and you deserve a way forward that doesn't feel like a transaction.
The information is free - the value is in the way you use it.
If in the future you find my information has helped, a small donation (button in the footer) would help me keep this foundation running for future generations.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Lorraine Mitchell
Are you guiding your horse — or pushing them?
Many owners worry that listening means losing control.
In reality, ethical encouragement creates safer, more willing horses and stronger partnerships.
Read the article and explore the difference between encouragement, support, and coercion.
