Spring Summer 2025
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Explore Your Spring & Summer 2025 IH Magazine!
This time, I’m sharing Hugo’s rehab story – yes, the so-called “One Pound Pony”! It’s been a journey full of lessons, love and a few laughs too, and I hope it’ll be useful to anyone navigating the ups and downs of recovery and decision-making.
What’s Inside?
We’ve brought together another brilliant line-up of contributors this issue:
- Abi Pass reflects on ten years of IH training and shares her five favourite groundwork exercises – I’ve tried them all myself and they’re spot on for building trust and strength.
- Kate Sandel’s piece on balance really got me thinking – how often do we ask horses to carry us without understanding how they carry themselves?
- Olympic medallist Sharon Hunt offers her seven confidence tips for you and your horse – not just for eventers!
- Peggy Cummings takes us through the art of riding with feel, and Dr Sue Dyson explores what comfort truly looks like in our horses – a must-read if you’ve ever wondered whether your horse is really happy under saddle.
- Dr Rosie Jones-McVey returns with another thought-provoking article – can our horses choose good welfare? Her work always challenges me in the best way.
Plus, we’ve got heartfelt member stories, some very handy seasonal tips, and wonderful book reviews – from classical riding to staying strong after fifty.
Why You’ll Love This Issue
If you’ve ever questioned whether your horse’s saddle is quite right, Sue Dyson’s article gives you the tools to spot discomfort early. And if you’re feeling rusty after winter, Abi’s groundwork reminders are a gentle, effective way to re-engage your horse’s body and mind.
Hugo’s journey meant a complete reassessment of how we manage allergies, bitting, ulcers, saddle fit and more. I’ve included every detail in the hope it helps others – especially if you’ve got a horse with mysterious niggles.
We’ve also included fabulous pieces on emotional and physical rehab, pasture management for laminitics, and one of my favourites – a story from Heather Lee, whose lifelong devotion to horses is both moving and inspiring.
All our members can access this magazine for free, along with our full archive and loads of exclusive videos, webinars and resources. Not a member yet? Come and join our friendly community – we’d love to have you!
Complete Contents with Article Descriptions
04 Kelly Marks – My World: The Story of Hugo aka The One Pound Pony
I share Hugo’s remarkable rehab journey – from unsound to sounder – and all the lessons we’ve learnt along the way about welfare, diagnostics and doing the right thing.
10 Letters and Cartoon by Nat Herman
Your feedback, your wins and Nat’s cartoon brilliance – including a letter on nutrition and hoof health that really got me thinking.
12 IH News and Updates
Everything new in the world of IH, from competitions and webinars to our newest IH Trainers.
15 IH Members’ Photos
More beautiful moments captured between horses and their people – I always enjoy looking through these!
16 Meet a Member: Heather Lee
Heather’s moving account of a life shaped by horses – from Pony Club to prison rehabilitation, and everything in between.
18 IH Training: A Decade of Learning – Abi Pass
Abi Pass shares five essential groundwork exercises for all horses – ideal for building strength, suppleness and connection this spring.
24 IH Training: The Balanced Horse – Kate Sandel
Kate explores why balance matters so much in training – and how you can help your horse find it.
26 IH Training: Riding with Feel – Peggy Cummings
Peggy shows how you can develop a lighter, more aware seat and deepen your communication under saddle.
28 IH Training: TEAM A Exploration-Based Exercise – Gillian Bradley
Part 2 of Gillian’s emotional and physical agility training – a brilliant way to help horses feel safe while learning.
31 IH Training: Training Horses and Humans
Exploring the mutual learning between horse and handler – something we’re all familiar with in IH!
32 IH Training: Seven Tips for Horse Confidence – Olympic Medallist Sharon Hunt
Sharon Hunt shares golden advice for creating calm, brave horses – clear, concise and very effective.
34 IH Training: What Does Comfortable Look Like? – Dr Sue Dyson
An invaluable guide to recognising true comfort (or lack of it!) in your horse’s way of going.
36 IH Training: Learn From My Mistakes – IH Trainer Jo Powell
Jo bravely shares the lessons she learnt the hard way so you don’t have to – including saddle fit and behavioural misinterpretation.
38 Can Our Horses Choose Good Welfare? – Dr Rosie Jones-McVey
Rosie brings her usual thoughtful lens to this challenging question – what role does choice play in equine care?
42 A Seed Solution for Laminitic Horses & Ponies
Practical pasture advice to support horses prone to laminitis – timely and essential reading for the growing season.
44 Spotlight on IH Trainer Hannah Wells
A closer look at Hannah’s work helping horses and humans through Inspired Equine.
46 Book Review: Packing My Bags – Julie Ulrich
A lovely read full of classical wisdom and witty insight from Julie Ulrich.
51 Book Review: Riding in Release – Kate Sandel
Kate’s book bridges classical French and Western riding – and offers a fresh take on how we connect in the saddle.
53 Book Review: Thriving Beyond 50 – Will Harlow
A practical guide for riders looking to stay strong and supple – I found the shoulder advice very helpful!
55 IH Trainer Client Feedback
Real-life success stories from our brilliant IH Trainers – uplifting and encouraging as always.
Navigation Tags
groundwork, confidence, behaviour, rider positioning & biomechanics, saddle fitting, rehabilitation, laminitis, pasture management, trust building, welfare, Join-Up, horse psychology, book reviews
