Helping Horses… One Human at a Time

Alternative Horsemanship™ Horse Training, Lessons, Clinics

Equine Behavior & Communication

Alternative Horsemanship™ Horse Clinics & Coaching Worldwide

Horse Help, Skills, and Partnership Development

Whether you're nearby or across the world, there's a way to work together.

30+ years developing the Alternative Horsemanship™ approach

Why Alternative Horsemanship™?

A Horse-Centric Mindset

Samantha Harvey has spent over three decades developing her Alternative Horsemanship™ approach through her experience as an equestrian student, horse instructor, mentor, author, and equine business consultant. She helps riders worldwide "translate" horse communication, learn relevant skills, and build trust with the equine by filling the gaps often missing in traditional training.

Why Alternative Horsemanship™? The Fundamental Principle is that unwanted horse behaviors are symptoms, not the "problem or issue." Learn how to recognize and interpret the subtle, underlying equine communication, and develop the skills to address root issues rather than mask them. Raise your self-awareness, learn to offer "Conversations" and not "screaming matches" with the horse.

Build your confidence, improve your timing, develop a "common language" with your horse to build his trust, try, reasonableness, and adaptability.

Sam offers horsemanship clinics worldwide, individual horse education, instruction for all experience levels, backgrounds, and disciplines. Her in-person and virtual teaching offers practical insight to help equine enthusiasts and riders learn to understand horse behavior and communication.

Why Clients Turn to Alternative Horsemanship™

Common Client Horse Problems

Do any of these sound familiar? You are not alone — these are common challenges riders bring to Sam from across the USA, Europe, Australia, and beyond. Whether you are searching for a horse behavior coach, exploring alternatives to traditional horse training, or looking for online horse coaching that actually addresses the root cause of your horse's behavior, you have found the right place.

"I stepped away from the traditional horse training world, and now I feel like I've become completely unclear in how I work with and interact with my horse in trying to consider his needs..."

"I took riding lessons for years, but now that I have my new horse, I feel like I don't know anything..."

"Despite years of riding, I am losing confidence every time my horse is concerned. I know he needs a clear leader, I just don't know what to do..."

"My horse has started acting very aggressively toward me. I know he is fearful with an abusive past, how do I build his trust?"

"I recently purchased a new horse, and realize I have no experience in building a horse's trust or confidence. All those years of riding 'trained' horses, and now I'm at a total loss..."

Sam's teachings are built around understanding horse behavior and learning the skills to create long-term change, not contain or control it. If traditional horse training methods have left you and your horse stuck, Alternative Horsemanship™ offers a different mindset, perspective, and path.

Why your previous Training & Lessons haven't "worked"

The first step is a Conversation — not a program, not a package.

Try an Intro Consult Learn How Alternative Horsemanship™ Can Help You

Testimonials

What Students Are Saying

"Thought I should tell you, though, how often I use the tools you give us. Feeding, leading, loading, riding, it doesn't matter what I'm doing, I'm far more aware of what my horses are feeling and thinking, which (as you obviously know!) leads to better communication and a positive outcome. I think the loading moments are my favorites...where is the brain?...come back to me!...oh, hello, you wanted what? Thanks for expanding the horizons of both me and my horse."

Marilyn, WA

I feel like she has truly opened my eyes and given me a completely new and exciting way of riding my horse. I've been competing for around 15 years and have had some great success, but I realized that I was mostly riding just to compete — if that makes sense.

I told Sam that I didn't really enjoy riding on my own; it felt more like I was just keeping my horse fit and ready for competitions. But after working with Sam, even in a short time, I've come to realize that much of that riding was mindless. I was missing out on the best part of it all.

— Kim, AZ

Absolutely love your work. Love that you share what you do. The way you teach and share in a manner that people can take in. Bringing light and awareness to changing one's emotional state, stance, and movement and how that completely changes how the horse perceives the human's communication. Thank you for everything."

Leeonie S, Ireland

"The success I've had is mind-blowing. Truly. They were always so good for me and I could basically do anything with them but the guilt I used to feel before I talked to you was awful. Now, I let go of the guilt... I am sooo happy! So - a huge THANK YOU!!!!!"

Julie O, USA

"Thanks to Alternative Horsemanship Coaching I experienced the awakening of a shut down horse."

Lynda, USA

How People Work with Sam

Clinics Worldwide

I can travel to a clinic

Sam is now based in Europe and offers Full Immersion and Private Horsemanship Clinics worldwide. She works across South America, Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and continues to bring her Alternative Horsemanship™ clinics to riders globally.

Clinics are typically 2–5 days; visit the Clinics page to learn about hosting and different topic options.

Recent teaching locations include Europe, South Africa, and the UK.

Samantha Harvey working with a thoroughbred horse

Upcoming clinics: Austria (June 2026), Switzerland (June 2026), Italy (July 2026), USA (September & October 2026), Australia (February 2027)

Learn about Clinic Options

"You are THE most amazing horse psychiatrist and trainer!! Every person who owns or rides a horse should connect with you and learn from you. Their relationship with their horse will most certainly flourish. Your insight and instruction when I attended an immersion camp with my mare Raven were so helpful and your knowledge and assessment of a horse's behavior is SPOT ON! Keep doing what you do best."

G Kennedy, KY

Distance & Virtual Learning

The Remote Horse Coach

I need to learn remotely

If you are unable to join Sam in person, she has been The Remote Horse Coach since 2014 — offering online learning and virtual teaching to horse enthusiasts. Sam has coached horse students across North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and beyond — without ever being in the same country.

Video evaluations, telephone coaching, weekly or monthly sessions, private mentorship. Real instruction. Not a course. Not a program. A coach who looks at your horse and your specific situation.

Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach white horse head with virtual learning options

After working with multiple trainers, I had reached a breaking point with my gelding. He became defensive, resisted going forward, and would spin, back up, or buck at the lope. Traditional approaches focused on pushing through the behavior, which only increased his insecurity and resentment.
Sam took a completely different approach. With patience and clarity, she helped me understand what my horse was experiencing and gave me practical tools I could apply immediately. Slowly, his confidence began to return — and so did mine.
Today, I have a horse who is learning to trust again. More importantly, when he gets stuck, I know how to help him through it. Working with Sam has changed how I show up for my horse, and I'm grateful to continue this journey with her.

Amanda, UK

Explore The Remote Horse Coach Site →

Not Ready to Commit Yet?

Start With the Free Content

Learn to raise awareness first

Explore her Video Catalog or visit the sister site for full details on distance horse learning. Follow #AlternativeHorsemanship and #RemoteHorseCoaching on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to access over 3,000 social media videos with quick tips and insights into horse behavior and raising self-awareness.

Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship™ YouTube Channel for hundreds of free horse training videos, including the Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series.

Enjoy weekly horse help and behavior articles in the Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach blog sharing over 1,700 articles with tips, skills, and insights on equine behavior.

"How are you not on every channel, radio station, internet outlet, or horse help website? Soooo many people need to learn from you!! I and my horses are truly thankful for you, your insight, and your creating a safe place for the horse and human to learn." — Kitty, MI

When you're ready, the Intro Consult is how we start.

Book an Intro Consult →