⭑Presenter Bio Stormy May⭑
Stormy May is an equine advocate, filmmaker, and author with a deep commitment to creating a more compassionate and holistic approach to horse care and training. Best known for her influential documentary, The Path of the Horse, Stormy has inspired horse owners worldwide to reconsider traditional methods and explore more mindful, horse-centered practices. Her work emphasizes understanding horses as sentient, social beings with emotional and physical needs that often go overlooked in conventional training settings.
With a background as a professional horse trainer, Stormy’s journey took a transformative turn when she began questioning mainstream equestrian practices, seeking approaches that truly respected the horse's well-being. Her documentary explores a range of perspectives from equine professionals, psychologists, and behaviorists, delving into what it means to form genuine, empathetic relationships with horses.
Through workshops, writing, and her documentary work, Stormy offers insights into building relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and emotional attunement. She encourages horse owners to shift their focus from performance goals to a philosophy that honors the horse’s natural rhythms, instincts, and autonomy. Her approach often incorporates Autonomous Horsemanship and other gentle methods, guiding horse owners to find ways of interacting that prioritize the mental, emotional, and physical health of their equine companions.
Because Of The Horse...
We have an invitation to connect on a deeper, more meaningful level. By shifting our focus from control to compassion, we can foster relationships rooted in respect and understanding. In this way, we honor the spirit of our horses and experience the joy of true partnership.” – Stormy May
Stormy May’s 2025 Presentations
DAY 1
★ This Horse Doesn't Do What I Want - Now What?
Learn about an approach that views a horse's resistance not as defiance, but as a form of communication. It challenges traditional methods focused on control and obedience, instead emphasizing empathy, trust, and understanding the horse's emotional and physical needs. By pausing, observing the horse's body language, and adjusting their approach, practitioners create a partnership where both human and horse can thrive. This philosophy benefits horses through reduced stress and improved well-being, while also fostering personal growth in humans through cultivating patience, emotional awareness, and meaningful relationships. Autonomous Horsemanship invites us to reframe challenges as opportunities to build trust and connection.
DAY 2
★Mindfulness With Horses
Learn about an approach that views a horse's resistance not as defiance, but as a form of communication. It challenges traditional methods focused on control and obedience, instead emphasizing empathy, trust, and understanding the horse's emotional and physical needs. By pausing, observing the horse's body language, and adjusting their approach, practitioners create a partnership where both human and horse can thrive. This philosophy benefits horses through reduced stress and improved well-being, while also fostering personal growth in humans through cultivating patience, emotional awareness, and meaningful relationships. Autonomous Horsemanship invites us to reframe challenges as opportunities to build trust and connection.