Will Evidence-Based go the way of Natural Horsemanship?

When does a term outlive its usefulness? Decades ago, “natural horsemanship” started out as a term to describe what was, for the most part, a more gentle, thoughtful, from-the-horse’s-perspective type of work. The phrase was used prominently by Pat Parelli and it soon became shorthand […]

Clicker Training: Thumbs Up or Down?

Editor’s Note: In conversations, interviews, and observations of scores of horsemen, I’ve come to understand that ‘pressure and release’ or negative reinforcement, is an extremely effective method for working with horses. Since horses use negative reinforcement on each other, it’s easy to understand. Understand more […]

Is Your Horse Ready for Uncertainty?

Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She will present an arena demonstration with fellow trainer and rider, Katrin Silva, at the Best Horse Practices Summit. She rides and teaches dressage and Western. Skinner […]

Amy Skinner: You Are Your Best Teacher

Divide Ain’t Wide: Seat

Editor’s Note: 2018 Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany before moving to the United States at age 19 to learn to ride Western. She’s been riding both disciplines for the last twenty years and is a regular guest columnist […]

Divide Ain’t Wide: Contact

Divide Ain’t Wide: Considering Saddles

Anatomy of a Brace

Interview with Mark Rashid &Crissi McDonald, II

I met with Mark Rashid and Crissi McDonald in Mancos, Colorado, for a wide-ranging conversation on horsemanship and life work. Rashid will hold lessons and welcome auditors in Mancos, Colorado, July 27-29. For more information, head here. This is Part Two of our interview in […]

Interview with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald, I

I met with Mark Rashid and Crissi McDonald in Mancos, Colorado, for a wide-ranging conversation on horsemanship and life work. This is the Part One of our interview. Read Part II When we started chatting, I asked about the use of tools – like spurs […]