This conversation with Whole Horse favourite Josh Nichol of a Horseman's Pursuit really pulled all the pieces together for me, and I have a feeling it will for you as well! After watching an afternoon of a recent clinic, I was filled with questions, some clarifying how to meet our horses needs, many around the essential concept of adding value to our horses lives every time we work with them, and understanding the embedded energetic connection between horse and human and how to work with it in a healthy way. Josh also runs us through his way of introducing new horses into his herd, using all of the concepts laid out in relational horsemanship. It's a beautiful and thoughtful process, and designed with safety of all in mind. 

In Josh’s words: “I like to think of myself as a professional student of the horse; learning is what I do first and teaching is second. Mentoring people, building relationships and watching growth is truly my passion. I currently teach clinics throughout Canada in the summer and work out of our home ranch in the winter, helping people develop their relationships through horsemanship.

This style of horsemanship is very relational, it allows you to see yourself through your horse and continues as you advance through the process. Mastery in horsemanship begins with a commitment to bettering ourselves! This starts with taking ownership and responsibility for our part of the story, thus interpreting the horse’s actions and performance differently.  When we are aware of – and work on developing – our side of the relationship, we truly facilitate not only growth in our horses, but growth in ourselves.  Good horsemanship challenges everything about our inner person. What an amazing gift: progressing in our horsemanship goes hand in hand with developing our best self!”

Learn more about Josh at https://www.joshnichol.com

Enjoy!