Compassionate Horsemanship

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.

13/07/2026

Continuing to build Sky’s confidence. Another warm but thankfully less humid day so a perfect opportunity to practice moving through water to cool the toes. As she is now 5, our plan continues to be to get out and see the world and the new experiences it brings.

06/07/2026

Our ‘pick -n-mix’ explorations of what Sky and I like to do together continue. We’ve tried cow working, working equitation, little clear round showjumping, a few x-country logs….and today we did our first pleasure/ mimi endurance ride. The weather gods were on our side as the cloud lifted and we saw the Dove valley at its finest as we covered 10 miles. We took it steady but enjoyed the lovely stretches of canter opened up for us across the fields and valley floors. Project canter continues for both Sky and her wingman Flash. Lots to be happy with today with fantastic ride buddy Zara Rose

02/07/2026

When you teach, seeing people you’ve supported smash their goals is a reward in itself.

27/06/2026

The Garrocha is so fun to incorporate into training sessions. It brings great focus, supports accuracy and partnership. I feel like we’re learning a new dance together.