Autumn 2016

Explore Your Autumn 2016 IH Magazine!

What’s Inside?

• A revealing interview with Olympic legend John Whitaker – reflecting on 30+ years at the top (by Liz Falkingham)
• Kelly’s latest “My World” column: how a black tube and a springy branch helped train Pie to side-pass
• A rich 11-page training section including teaching leg aids, safe mounting, and the science behind Join-Up®
• Joanna Lowes’ month at Whitakers' yard – starting young horses the Monty way
• In-depth look at the ethics of training gadgets and the growing momentum for change
• Member photos and touching success stories that’ll warm your heart
• Breathing better in the saddle – a unique rider wellbeing feature
• Sally Tobin’s expert guide to analysing forage and feeding your horse what it really needs
• Brain, pain or training? Understanding performance issues from a scientific lens

Why You’ll Love This Issue

This season’s edition is truly about coming back to the heart of horsemanship – the subtle art of understanding and connecting with horses in a thoughtful, intelligent way. If you're working with young horses or revisiting foundational training, the pieces from Kelly and Rosie on leg aids and safe mounting will be just the guide you need. Joanna Lowes’ account of starting horses at the Whitaker yard is not only a brilliant inside look but a reassuring nod that IH methods work at every level. Whether you’re exploring new ways to feed (don’t miss Sally Tobin’s forage guide), or questioning traditional training gadgets, this issue gives you tools, insights, and inspiration for the colder months. And of course, John Whitaker’s interview brings both wisdom and warmth from one of Britain’s best-loved equestrians.

Complete Contents with Article Descriptions

04 – My World: Going Sideways to Go Forward
Kelly Marks reflects on a fun memory with Pie and offers personal, practical advice for training the side-pass – starting from the ground up.

06 – Letters & Feedback
From horsebox horrors to course reflections, IH members share their stories, thanks, and thought-provoking experiences.

07 – In Other News
Racehorse wins, scientific breakthroughs, and a chance to have tea with Monty Roberts – plus all the IH community updates.

08 – Members’ Photos
From beach rides to bonding breakthroughs, these snapshots (including our canvas wall-art winner!) show the joy and trust between horse and human.

10 – Gadgets and Horses: A Momentum for Change?
Liz Falkingham delves into the debate around modern training aids – are they necessary or harmful? The tide could be turning…

12 – The Big Interview: John Whitaker
A candid, down-to-earth conversation with a showjumping legend still loving the sport after six Olympics.

16 – Feeding Forage: What You Need to Know
Sally Tobin explains why hay isn’t just hay – and how a simple forage analysis can unlock better health for your horse.

19 – IH Training: Stress-Free and Safe Mounting
Kelly shares her tips on helping horses stand calmly at the mounting block – a foundation for every good ride.

21 – IH Training: Teaching the Young Horse Leg Aids
Rosie Jones McVey outlines a kind, clear step-by-step to teaching leg aids from the ground up.

25 – IH Training: Coaching and Join-Up®
Understanding how effective coaching techniques parallel our work with horses – and why the student’s mindset matters.

27 – IH Training: Sorting Science from Fiction
Join-Up® under the microscope – Rosie Jones McVey helps separate fact from myth in equine science.

30 – Book Review & Competition Winners
From Perfect Manners to winning cartoons, we celebrate creative contributors and lucky winners.

31 – IH Success Stories
Real people, real change – how IH has helped members overcome fear, build trust, and achieve the “impossible.”

34 – Making Space
Photographer Michelle Wildman shares how time spent at a Canadian ranch helped her reconnect, reflect, and just be.

37 – Rider Feature: Breathing for a Better Ride
Discover how breathing well helps both rider function and horse comfort – with practical tips for in the saddle.

38 – Understanding Horse Performance
Brain, pain or training issue? This insightful piece helps you decode your horse’s behaviour and performance struggles.

40 – Spotlight on Paddy Gracey
A closer look at an IHRA making a quiet, impactful difference.

41 – IHRA Client Feedback
What clients are saying about working with IH Recommended Associates.

42 – IH Courses Overview
What’s on and where to go next in your IH journey.

Navigation Tags

groundwork, mounting, Join-Up, young horse, training aids, breathing, jumping, horse psychology, performance, equine science