JK Inspired LLC - Jillian R. Kreinbring

I am deeply honored to be invited to speak at the 25th Anniversary Congress of The Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy & Education May 30-31 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

To be included among such an extraordinary group of educators, osteopaths, researchers, and equestrians is something I do not take lightly. Opportunities to continue learning, sharing ideas, and engaging in thoughtful conversation in service of the horse are privileges I am always grateful for.

I’ll be presenting on “Integrative Movement for the Osteopath,” exploring the relationship between movement, posture, functional anatomy, biomechanics, and the nervous system, and how these pieces influence the health and development of the horse.

A sincere thank you to Janek Vluggen and the Vluggen Institute for the invitation and for creating an event that celebrates 25 years of educational excellence, mentorship, and growth.

Looking forward to Ocala, meaningful conversations, and time spent with people dedicated to the betterment of horses.

This Memorial Day weekend feels like a good reminder to slow down and appreciate what matters most… time with good people, good horses, good coffee and opportunities to keep learning.

We’re excited to welcome Rodolfo Lara and spend time observing, asking questions, and growing together as horsemen and horsewomen. Some of the best lessons go beyond technique…

The word in the arena today is Believe.

Believe in the journey. Believe in growth. Believe in yourself. Believe every horse still has something to teach us.

Looking forward to sharing this experience with everyone.

Some offices have walls. Mine has hoofprints.

This morning I’m grateful for a rocking chair, a good cup of coffee, and the best office I could ever ask for. The arena has a way of reminding me that life with horses rarely asks for perfection…just presence…allow that to settle.

One of the more difficult lines to walk with our horses is understanding the difference between empathy and enabling.

I think sometimes, in our desire to be kind, we unintentionally avoid teaching horses the very life skills, which help them become safer, more confident, and better able to navigate life with humans.

From both a learning and nervous system perspective, confidence is not built through complete avoidance of pressure or challenge. Confidence develops when horses learn they can move through appropriate moments of uncertainty and return to physical and mental safely. A teacher once told me it’s important to lovingly see horses through to the other side of their trouble.

That does not mean force.
It does not mean over stimulation.
And it certainly does not mean punishment.

It means learning how to educate with physical and emotional feel of the horse with clarity and fairness.

To me, empathy says:
“I see what you’re feeling, and I’ll adjust how I teach.”

Enabling says:
“I won’t help you through discomfort because discomfort itself feels hard to witness.”

There is a difference.

Having a big heart for horses should never exclude education, boundaries, or responsibility….thoughtful education is part of compassion itself.

Kindness that avoids learning may feel gentle in the moment.
But kindness that teaches creates long-term safety and authentic relationships.