The Dolly Communication Foundation
Dolly Communication CIC
Confidence and Calm — For You and Your Horse
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 Foundation 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 Learning Journey Here -Free
Before you start to listen to your horse, understand why listening builds a deeper connection, trust within your horse 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.
"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 dose not want you to be perfect, brave or strong.
They want you to be authentic and present.in the moment.
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.
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
Discover the Truth
My free ebook
Myths of the Horse World
Reveals how common advice can damage your relationship with your horse — and how trust can replace fear.
While I provide as much free information as possible to ensure no horse or owner is left behind'
Some people find they need a structured path to follow.
'Horse Listening for Beginners'
is a self-paced, deep dive course into your horse as a prey animal.
a structured, step-by-step path to follow,
The own paced, 5 module, 15 unit course is a deep reflection on our horses, their needs, your relationship,
with fun quizes to make sure you understand each step.
Buying this course for just £88 is the primary way you can supports this CIC,
allowing me to keep the rest of the library free for everyone."
The Dolly Way™
A philosophy of partnership, trust, and safety with horses.
It guides how we interact, care, and learn — while allowing every owner to bring their own understanding and style.
The Dolly Way™ underpins everything I do at the Foundation:
from the free resources to future courses and professional guidance.
The practitioner directory is being developed,
so you can soon connect with professionals who share these principles.
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
Knowledge is a Birthright
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.