Through her StableMinded practice, Lisa Pulliam offers counseling, coaching, and consulting for equestrians and women in life transitions to find calmness, set meaningful goals, and uncover their passion and purpose. Drawing from her personal journey and professional expertise, Lisa offers a unique approach to healing and personal growth with equine-assisted experiences.
A Lifelong Connection to Horses
Lisa’s relationship with horses began in her youth, where she found comfort in their company during a challenging upbringing. “Horses felt safe to me,” she reflects. “I found co-regulation with horses while growing up in an abusive environment. They became a source of healing and stability.” After an 18-year hiatus, Lisa was reintroduced to the equestrian world through her youngest daughter’s interest in riding a decade ago. This reconnection led to a profound journey of self-discovery and professional development, culminating in the creation of her own coaching business.
The Healing Power of the Herd
Lisa’s work is deeply rooted in the natural dynamics of herd behavior and the principles of liberty training. “The round pen is the lab,” she explains. “It’s where we observe and learn from the way horses communicate, set boundaries, and build relationships.” For Lisa, the focus is not on perfecting skills but on cultivating genuine connections.
Horses, she notes, thrive on grounded and clear communication, mirroring how humans navigate interpersonal conflict. By observing herd behavior, Lisa teaches her clients how to build relationships with their horses and other people rooted in mutual respect and understanding.
Faith and the Equestrian Journey
Lisa’s faith has profoundly influenced her work. “I see myself as a steward,” she says. “Faith shapes my horsemanship and my approach to helping others feel safe, seen, and heard. You can’t learn when you’re in a state of fear. Safety is the foundation for vulnerability and growth.” While not all of her clients share her spiritual beliefs, Lisa ensures that each person’s goals and values guide the healing process regardless of whether her client chooses a faith integrated approach.
Common Challenges for Equestrians
From navigating the pressures of social media to managing chronic stress, exhaustion, isolation, and failure, equestrians often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their passion. Lisa Pulliam’s Finding Calm Curriculum offers a transformative approach to addressing these struggles, helping equestrian women overcome isolation, break free from limiting beliefs, and rediscover balance.
- Overcoming Isolation and Embracing Growth
For many equestrians, the journey can feel isolated and lonely. Too often, equestrians fear asking for help because of the shame and guilt of struggle and failure. Lisa’s curriculum focuses on co-regulation, a concept that emphasizes bringing calm into one’s system and fostering emotional balance. “Women often can’t admit failure because of shame,” Lisa explains. “This shame shuts down growth.” Her work encourages equestrians to identify a safe, unbiased support system—someone who can assess situations without a conflict of interest—and helps them explore the core beliefs and mindsets holding them back. By addressing all-or-nothing thinking and creating space for vulnerability, Lisa empowers her clients to embrace their journey of becoming.
- The Social Media Double-Edged Sword
Social media has become an integral part of the equestrian community, offering unprecedented access to educational resources and visuals. However, Lisa warns of its negative consequences. “The constant comparison and conflicting information breed insecurity, fear, and jealousy,” she says. She encourages equestrians to question their motivations for posting and to focus on authenticity over validation. “Who are we worshipping? Who are we becoming, and where is our identity rooted?” By fostering self-awareness, Lisa helps her clients navigate social media in a healthier, more intentional way.
- Managing Chronic Stress in the Equestrian World
The relentless demands of a six or seven-day workweek are all too familiar to equestrians, but the long-term consequences of chronic stress can be devastating. Lisa explains how the nervous system functions in two states: the sympathetic (fight, flight, freeze, or faint) and the parasympathetic (rest and digest). While the sympathetic state is designed to handle temporary stress, remaining stuck in this mode can lead to depression, anxiety, autoimmune diseases, chronic illness, and emotional instability.
“We’re not designed to stay in survival mode,” Lisa emphasizes. Through her curriculum, she teaches equestrians how to regulate their nervous systems, encouraging rest and recovery to prevent burnout.
- Trauma-Informed Approaches to Management
Change is inevitable in barn management, but Lisa advocates for a trauma-informed approach. “Barn changes need to be made gradually over a longer period of time,” she advises. “This allows transitions to happen without pushing the owner’s or boarder’s brain into crisis mode.” By prioritizing communication and understanding, barn managers can create an environment that feels safe and supportive for everyone involved.
- Redefining the Horse-Rider Relationship
One of Lisa’s key insights is the need to rethink the sentiment, “My horse is my therapist.” While spending time with horses can be incredibly healing, Lisa cautions against placing unrealistic expectations on them. “Horses are sentient beings, not objects to meet all of our emotional needs,” she says. “Support needs to be mutual, not a one-way drain on the horse.”
Lisa encourages riders to focus on building a reciprocal relationship with their horses, one grounded in mutual respect and understanding. “Take a breath, ground yourself, and help your horse do the same,” she advises.
Looking Ahead
With a career that bridges personal development and equine connection, Lisa is set to launch her podcast, The Liberated Equestrian, in February 2025. The podcast will provide actionable strategies and skill-building tips for those seeking balance and fulfillment in their equestrian journey. Through her podcast and ongoing work, Lisa hopes to empower equestrians to embrace a holistic approach to personal and professional growth. By fostering calmness, connection, and authenticity, she aims to reshape the equestrian journey into one of mutual respect and resilience. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or someone seeking clarity in life’s transitions, Lisa’s work offers a path to becoming grounded, connected, and liberated—both in and out of the saddle.
