Horsemanship Journal June 21 Front Cover

Here's the rundown for June's issue of Horsemanship Journal

 

Now the ground is harder, Ross Cooper helps us recognise the signs of lameness, and Freddy Steele looks at how introducing pole work as a training method can benefit your horse's mental and physical health. 

 

Anna Blake brings the second part of her 'Building the Bubble' series, focusing on communicating with body language. We have exciting articles covering everything from equine therapy to rhythm beads!  

 

Lockdowns have been tough on many of us, and for horse owners, riders and handlers, this can present itself when we are with our horses. If lockdown has affected you, be sure to look at Helen O'Hanlon's Confidence Clinic, and new author Natasha Fountain begins her 'A to Z of Confidence' series.  

 

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this issue in the sunshine.

 

Horsemanship Journal Magazine is a bi-monthly print publication dedicated to horsemanship. 

 

Check out the June issue of Western Horse UK, printed back-to-back with Horsemanship Journal.

 

We are passionate about publishing articles focused on complete horsemanship, including training, horse care, and rider mindset to improve our skill, trust and build positive partnerships. Our goal is to provide readers with an informative resource that will inspire their horsemanship journey. 

 

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Cover stories

 

The Confidence Clinic; Part 1 - The Human 

Helen O'Hanlon tackles the issue of confidence in her new series

Excerpt: In equestrian circles, we talk a lot about confidence - losing it, finding it, developing it in ourselves and our horses. However, not all confidence is created equal, and confidence means different things to different people.

 

Recognising Lameness

Ross Cooper helps us identify the tell-tale signs of lameness during riding exercise, groundwork, or just out in the paddock.

Excerpt: From a professional perspective, I feel it is good horsemanship to train our eyes and minds to the horse's correct movement and the signs to look out for when a horse exhibits abnormal movement and the discomfort associated with it. Whether a coach, trainer, bodywork professional or saddle fitter, we have a duty to provide the best we can for the welfare of both the horse and rider.

 

Work those poles! 

Freddy Steele discusses which exercises you can use to aid your horse training. First up, poles.

Excerpt: The most common reason people use poles is to help develop their horse by going forward over them. This can be great in training a horse to understand where his feet are and encourage more effort. Usually, poles are used generically for the reasons stated above; however, sometimes, the exactness of the movement we are attempting to create by using poles can be missed.

 

Building the Bubble Part 2. Just Converse 

In the second of her five-part series, Anna Blake looks at how we talk to our horses with our bodies, and they in turn respond.

Excerpt: Consider building a bubble. It's a safe place for you and your horse where breathing happens with a life-affirming regularity. It's a place where leadership means safety and peace, where we abide in the present moment.

 

Features

 

The A to Z of Confidence 

Natasha Fountain brings the first part of her alphabetical series. This issue we work from A to D.

Excerpt: I have been a natural horsemanship practitioner for around 20 years. People used to compliment me all the time on my horse Jay because his manners and behaviour on the ground were impeccable, and he lined himself up at the mounting block. However, when they wanted to teach their horse how to do it, they didn't have lessons with me, whose horse they admired, they chose to have lessons with someone else on the yard who had all the gear and 'looked the part' but whose horse had no manners at all!

 

Have you got rhythm? 

Caroline Parish tells us how the use of rhythm beads can help you and your horse.

Excerpt: Now, what if I suggested putting a necklace of rhythm beads on your horse? Before you dismiss them as a bit' woo-woo' or a mind trick (like Dumbo holding onto his feather), hear me out... There's a lot of practical evidence from horses and riders that rhythm beads work! But how?