Samantha Harvey — Founder of Alternative Horsemanship™

Early in her career, Sam realized that focusing solely on results often overlooked the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of both horse and rider.

Most horse trainers will tell you what to do. Samantha Harvey asks a different question first: what does your horse need to feel safe enough to try, learn, and retain? That question has taken her across six continents — training under German and Australian Olympic coaches, apprenticing with a World Cup Grand Prix Jumper rider, working wild horses in the US Southwest, and coaching privately from Spain to South Pacific. Over 30 years and in 17 countries, it has always led to the same answer: horses don't resist out of defiance. They resist out of confusion, fear, or pain — and almost no one teaches owners how to tell the difference.

Sam's early introduction to horses involved riding barefoot, bareback, and in a simple halter. She progressed from jumpers to Three Day Eventing while seeking exposure to diverse equestrian disciplines, training styles, and breeds. She trained in Jumper and Dressage barns, school horses, conditioned and started colts, and even attended jockey school for a glimpse into racing.

Her clinic experience spans instructors of various backgrounds. Sam immersed herself in all aspects of Three Day Eventing—competitor, groom, course designer, and event crew—learning from national and international trainers, chef d’equips, Olympians, and top coaches.

Early in her career, Sam realized that focusing solely on results often overlooked the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of both horse and rider. Witnessing “at all cost” approaches that left horses compromised, she chose to step away from competitive sport to seek a more fulfilling, partnership-based approach.

Years later, Sam returned to horses through The United States Pony Club as a trainer and District Commissioner. Troubled horses naturally gravitated to her, and she sought mentorship from one of the finest horsemen she had met. This experience helped her re-evaluate horsemanship with a focus on empathy, insight, and understanding.

Since then, Sam has dedicated her career to helping equestrians worldwide build strong, empowering partnerships with their horses. She operates one of the top internationally recognized Horse Blogs, contributes regularly to equine columns, teaches at Equine Expos, mentors pre-veterinary students, and uses social media to dismantle myths in equine behavior.

For over 25 years, Sam was based seasonally in the Pacific Northwest and wintered in the warmth of the Southwest while offering clinics across the Caribbean, South Pacific, Southeast Asia, South America, and throughout North America.

She is now based in Spain and continues teaching and coaching equine enthusiasts virtually while offering year-round in-person clinics.