Tackling Fear and Confidence Issues

We had a lovely note from a NickerNews & BestHorsePractices reader who struggles with confidence and fear issues: She writes: Last November, you wrote about moving as being like riding and you raised the issue of fear and extending oneself. I have a great, kind, […]

Halter and Lead Rope Factors

Amy Skinner is the owner of Essence Horsemanship and a frequent BestHorsePractices contributor. She teaches and trains from her base in Boyne City, Michigan. Skinner reviewed the 4-knot halter with lead rope from Knotty Girlz. Read more about Knotty Girlz here. Read additional halter post […]

Feel Matters: Knotty Girlz rope halter review

Years ago, I worked for a high-end furniture maker whose tables were beautiful. Thanks to repeated sandings and buffings, their feel was extraordinary: like polished granite but soft and warm. When it comes to furniture, he explained, people – especially women – prioritize touch. “When […]

Thresholds of Learning

Editor’s Note: Shelley Appleton is a new guest columnist for BestHorsePractices. Her articles are part of a body of work dedicated to horsemanship knowledge and self-improvement called: Learning to Connect. Appleton is a lecturer at the School of Pharmacy at Curtin University in Bentley, Australia, […]

Habits & Attitudes of Successful Horsemanship Learners

Editor’s Note: Shelley Appleton is a new guest columnist for BestHorsePractices. Her articles are part of a body of work dedicated to horsemanship knowledge and self-improvement called: Learning to Connect. Appleton is a lecturer at the School of Pharmacy at Curtin University in Bentley, Australia, […]

When ‘Head Down’ cues are wrong

As owners and riders, we have the privilege of teaching our horses lots of nifty movements and exercises. We can do it with force and intimidation, with treats and sweets, or with the concept of partnership in which horses will: appreciate a relationship of trust […]

Learning to Connect!

Remember the teacher in Peanuts cartoons? She of the trombone voice? Wahwahwahwah. Her lectures left some sleepy and others bewildered. Consider the complexity of the teacher-student connection: the thought in the teacher’s brain, turned into words, then heard and interpreted by students. Is it any […]

Emotion & Intellect in horsework

Editor’s Note: We welcome Shelley Appleton as a guest columnist for BestHorsePractices. Her articles are part of a body of work dedicated to horsemanship knowledge and self-improvement called: Learning to Connect. Appleton is a lecturer at the School of Pharmacy at Curtin University in Bentley, […]

The Jones

About this Fitness segment: BestHorsePractices is dedicating a entire section of this year’s password-protected Remuda Reader pages to Rider Fitness. To subscribe, CLICK HERE. Rider Fitness contributors: Dr. Steve Peters Ellen Eckstein Amy Skinner Jim Thomas Martin Black Randy Rieman Stay tuned for upcoming features […]

Ellen Eckstein

About this Fitness segment: Rider Fitness contributors: Randy Rieman Dr. Steve Peters Amy Skinner Jim Thomas Martin Black Russ & Marsha Jones, accomplished riders from Wolverine, Michigan Read additional features from: Beth Austin, renowned physical therapist, on aspects of core fitness Christina Savitsky, of Buckaroo […]