Compassionate Horsemanship

24/09/2026

Where are our nervous systems? Owning horses can be an absolute minefield- we can easily get overloaded with all things internet- things we could/should be buying for our horse, training milestones or shiny results people ‘like us’ have already achieved, clinics and events we could attend, competitions we could enter… the list goes on. It can be exhausting, and, I’ll speak for myself, it often pushes me into a ‘drive’ state in my nervous system - i.e. it feels a lot like work that is never ending, is task driven, and that’s before the comparisons with others creeps in. This is in contrast to what many want their horse ownership to be- a hobby that gives us fun, peace, enjoyment and time in nature with our four legged friend(s) and possibly time with other people who, like us, are horse nuts.
On top of all that though, horses often get sick, they break down physically from the demands we place on them or from field accidents or other random things that happen, which adds financial strain, angst if they are in pain, and forces us to pause in our plans, or manage the crushing reality of lost dreams. That in turn can impact our own well-being and the cycle spirals downwards.
I’m so aware that many folks ride this emotional/nervous system rollercoaster that often is linked with how their horse was today/this week, or because of what has gone wrong with them. So here’s a shout out to all those out there who are rehabbing their horses, shifting to non-ridden relationships, stepping back from performance plans to honour their horse’s needs, or having to consider end of life considerations for their equine friends. And also to those who are seeking to find a better balance (like me) between the ‘being’ and the ‘doing’, trying to find the sweet spot that keeps things just a little lighter in this sometimes heavy world. If you’re interested in other musing on nervous systems as a horse owner, I’ve attached a link to a published article I wrote here: https://www.curiousequestrian.co.uk/compassionate-horse-training/
Photo credit: Elizabeth M. Photography

18/09/2026

Growing up and letting go (a bit!). As part of my young horse’s education I’ve been really, really particular about consistency. I’ve done all the groundwork and backing myself, with my mentor hopping on only once. I like to bring her in from the field, hold her for the farrier, dentist and vet etc even though she’s on a livery yard. I have wanted her to have that clarity of cues and feedback. And be there to see her behaviour and how our training sticks (or doesn’t!). However, I also know that life sometimes takes twists. As a two-time cancer survivor I am acutely aware of this! ( hence ‘life is short-buy the horse’!). So recently I’ve recognised she is at a place in her training where she feels settled enough to be able to manage some slightly different cues, therefore over the past few months I’ve judiciously selected a couple of other people to sit on her. I thought it might be like watching someone snog my husband, but actually, with a trusted rider it was more like watching my kid accept an award. Kind of a proud mama moment. Why do this? I need to prepare her for another person if that life twist ever happens- I think it’s disabling to have a one-person horse as we just never know what the universe might throw at us. First photo shows me on Sky with her now ‘hench’ physique, and the second two are of my dear friend on board finding the buttons and enjoying the view.

15/09/2026

Why do I go to a cow camp....I'm not a western rider, and my horse lives on a cow farm, so why go to a cowboy camp? I have many reasons, but here's my top 5:
1. I want my horse to be an all rounder, and the camp I recently attended with Joe Midgley Horsemanship included groundwork, ridden horsemanship, obstacles- backing round barrels, side passing down a pole, garrocha, reversing in an L-shape, climbing up tyres, trot/canter poles and a jump, hacking, dummy cow work following the quad bike, moving cows in a pen, and then moving cows in a bigger arena with a team, then solo. All were scalable, and could be done at any pace or intensity as long as you had control. A horse that can do all of that is pretty well rounded. And a horse who doesn't bat an eye when riding through a cow field, and who you know can move a cow is safer.
2. It adds challenges and sweet spots by being away from home. We had to travel almost 3 hours, and my horse Sky had to meet and be stabled with new friends, be in a busy farm environment with huge machinery moving apace, a gun range close by, and just lots of stimulation. She took it all in stride.
3. I get to be with her 24/7 for a few days, which builds our bond- I'm her on-call person (I don't keep her at home as she's on livery) so this is a lovely opportunity to see her for many hours a day, from the first morning light, with hay in her forelock, to tucking her up with a scratch and final hay before heading to my tent.
4. Gauging progress. It was great to be able to compare her with last year- this year she is physically stronger at 5, mentally braver, more moveable on lighter aids, can get a more energetic trot on, and even cantered after cow (canter in arenas has been an area of development).
5. It's so much flippin' fun! I got to share time with some great friends, meet new like-minded horse people, and layer up learning from Joe who just goes the extra mile as a teacher. So if you are an English rider, a 'happy hacker/performance trail rider', or from any discipline, I'd highly recommend this experience to challenge yourself and your horse to become a little more all rounded. I guarantee you'll enjoy yourself, and your inner 7 year old will be gleeful.

03/09/2026

It was really striking to me this week how much an impact starting with connection via groundwork can have on a horse and its human. In a really short time!
With a new client, in our first session, their horse came into the arena with eyes 'on stalks', neck rock solid, anxious and definitely not in a 'learning zone'.
We introduced basic groundwork and connection, such as leading with feel, getting the horse connected to the person's feet and the horse and human paying attention to each other.
For humans new to this, it really is like a mindfulness exercise- are they noticing the horse's expression? Breathing? Blinking? Position and space between them? What do they need to reward with a well timed release? What do they need to clearly and fairly correct?
We did some beginning neck flexion to help to rewire the horse's experience of the request to move their head independently of the rest of their body- it took patience and good timing to help this little horse understand it didn't have to tune out and lock up.
Well, a week on, with homework being done between sessions, this same horse came in with a totally different mentality, in a 'learning zone', was lighter in all of these movements and was able to progress a little more. There was more relaxation in their neck, a lower head carriage, they took some big deep sighs, blinked, yawned and had started to understand that it can FEEL GOOD when they connect with their human, and move their body in a new way. This partnership is going to hopefully find a more harmonious, connected, more enjoyable and safer relationship as they progress.
Disclaimer- this is not a quick fix! But I think a horse knows when we are offering them a 'good deal'. Building a partnership takes a commitment to practice with good timing, consistency and I would argue some feedback. Photo below is not of the client or their horse- credit: Aidan Rhode

26/08/2026

This is a great post about something so many horses don’t know how to do under saddle- because we’ve not worked on it with them.

Can you slide into the saddle and know your horse will stand while you do your girth, check your stirrups etc? Will they wait until you have given them the cue to move off?

Can your horse wait patiently for a friend? Can you stop to admire a view? Can you stand as a way to end a session with a deep sense of peace?

Can your horse ‘dial down’ as well as ‘dial
Up’?

This is such a nice exercise to add into your weekly repertoire of skills to practice. Thanks for this, Lee Keystone Equine. Sometimes we all need a chance to rest.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19Ri68b4B4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/08/2026

I've had a fair few new followers recently so I thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself. I'm Fiona, and in brief (you can read more on my website compassionatehorsemanship.co.uk), I draw upon 30 years of using horsemanship approaches myself in the US and UK, to help others with foundational skills. I also have 30 years of experience of working with adult (human) learners, have a background in sports psychology, and offer a compassionate coaching style. So this comes together to help people who are interested in using horsemanship to support their relationship with their horse and those who might be struggling with things that they used to find easy confidence-wise. These often overlap. Skills include leading, getting to the mind and the feet of the horse on the ground and in the saddle, working with progressive cues to gain lightness with 'feel', and I often help people to be able to do gates, obstacles, get picked up from the mounting block- and other preparatory movements so you can go out and ride with confidence. I work where you and your horse are at and we break things down in bite sized pieces for both of you. These foundational skills support any horse to become a 'good citizen' and can help them have a better life with humans. And they can help you to build that foundation that supports your partnership with your horse, and the skills to go out and do what you would like to do. Teaching is a privilege, and it's been my life work in various contexts and there's nothing better than seeing a student succeed, and their partnership with their horse progress.

25/07/2026

‘Pick and mix’ (who still remembers Woolworth’s sweet aisle?) training continues. This weekend we’ve been trying Le Trec. Obstacles give training a functional purpose and many horses just ‘get it’ in a deeper way with a purpose and a job to do. Trec simulates the skills needed to be able to ride out across all terrain and manage various challenges.

Sky And I had a super session with Wain thanks to Rees (who is off to ride for team GB soon!) for organising.

We tested our home-based training in a group setting with some new and familiar obstacles. We rode over bridges, through pole s-bends, did gates and narrow pole corridors, rode through bramble tangles using pool noodles, around cones used for serpentines, did back ups between poles, halted for ten seconds with no reins within a circle of cones and side-passed down a pole.

All these can be simulated at home to vary training sessions. I’m not sure how many horses truly love going round in circles all the time.

Photo shows us preparing for the flag challenge which involved riding one handed with a flag aloft while steering around jump stands. Liteshoe, the smiley flag you sent me has helped us prep well for this!

Why not try some obstacles in your summer training sessions to ‘pick and mix’ it up?

Great team support Holland Rhode! And good job Sky. You did me proud.

24/07/2026

19/07/2026

A golden evening to practice open space canters and serpentines around hay bales.

18/07/2026

It’s clear that some horses find work outside the arena more motivating. Tapping into this motivation in horses who aren’t naturally forwards builds their endurance, and goes ‘with’ them mentally. This can then translate to enhanced arena work later.