Hot off the press – Email 18

< Hot off the press — my favourite read this season

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Hello ,

Hot off the press — the Autumn & Winter IH Magazine is here.

Which, of course, meant I got to do one of my favourite things… sit by the fire with a cup of coffee, the new issue in hand, and get completely lost in it.

Though with all the extra pages, I’ll admit it now takes more than one sitting… but I can’t think of a single thing to complain about there.

So, let me tell you what I loved most from this edition — and share a few sneak peeks while I’m at it.

Letters to Friends — Cherished Times

Kelly’s opening feature feels especially personal this season. It’s raw, honest, and full of heart — a window into the real life that sits behind the horsemanship.

She writes about family, resilience, and the way horses seem to help us hold steady when everything else is shifting.

As she says:

“Most of us are juggling more than we care to admit — maybe the odd existential crisis too — so part of our work with horses, maybe the most important part, is learning how to navigate all of that without losing our grip. It’s not just self-care. It’s good horsemanship.”

It’s a piece that reminds us how the quiet bond with a horse can sometimes be the thing that gets us through the hardest chapters.

Meet a Member — Kelly Gordon & Jenga

One of the most uplifting stories we’ve shared yet about Kelly Gordon and her rescue horse Jenga — who was once so underweight he couldn’t stand — and how they became the first pairing to earn their IH Advanced Award together.

“The first moment we connected like this, and he followed me in and out of a set of bending poles without a lead rope, is one of the best moments of my life — and will forever be my stand-out horsey moment.”

Training — the section I always read twice

I know this comes as no surprise but the training section is always my favourite (for obvious reasons). You’ll want to make time for these.

Dr Sue Dyson’s preliminary research into The Shape Characteristics of Elite Event Horses is fascinating — especially her findings on whether characteristic we horse owners often label as “bad” (such as wither atrophy/'shark fin') are seen in these elite event horses and if they impact performance or not? It’s one of those pieces that really makes you think (you may have to read it twice also).

Then there’s Dr James Cooling, exploring muscle atrophy and saddle fit. If you’ve ever wondered why a horse might lose topline and how this impacts saddle fit its worth a read — James shows how tiny details in saddle positioning can make or break healthy movement.

“A saddle that fits badly doesn’t just cause discomfort — it silently reshapes the horse beneath it.”

Gillian Higgins’ piece is Strength Redefined – 'what does a strong horse really look like?'. It's a masterpiece as always and full of practical advice to follow. Not just about muscles, but about balance, coordination, and the mental strength that follows when a horse feels safe in its own body.

“Understanding your horse’s strength isn’t just about what’s visible, it’s about what’s functional. True strength is subtle, responsive, and relative to each horse’s needs and abilities.”

And Sue Palmer, as ever, nails the art of spotting subtle signs — reminding us how the smallest signs of tension can be key indictors of a much bigger picture, if we only learn to listen.

“Many of the horses assessed as ‘normal’ by their riders were, in fact, displaying early indicators of discomfort or restriction… It’s about spotting small changes early, before they impact performance or welfare.”

Monty at 90 — What We Owe to Him

There’s also a celebration that means a lot to all of us.

Monty Roberts turns 90 — and we’ve marked it with a look back at what his courage, curiosity and kindness meant to the IH community. None of us would be here doing this work without that first wave he started.

And for the long winter nights…

Sandra Williams’ new book The Mindful Equestrian is beautifully featured, alongside reflections from Tania Kindersley, Dr Rosie Jones-McVey and more…

If you’re a member, you can read the full magazine — and sixteen years of past issues — in the Members’ Area right now, or wait for the print edition to arrive (a lovely, and now rather weighty, thing to hold).

If you’re not a member yet — I’ve had permission from Sharron to say this — she still has a few spare printed copies left, and she’s happy to post them to new members while stocks last. So if you fancy your own fireside read, now’s the perfect time to join.

I’ll leave you with this line from the magazine that’s stayed with me:

“We can’t control how this story ends, but we can look back and cherish that we had this time, this focus, and the best of horse and human support.”

That’s really what this issue is about — connection, courage, and remembering what matters most.

Love,

Abi & The Intelligent Horsemanship Team

Your Chance to Win?

If you didn't know already…. IH members get the chance to enter our free monthly prize draw to win fantastic gifts kindly provided by our brilliant sponsors, including: TopSpec, Ariat, Horses Inside Out, MeadowMania, How Very Horsey, Premier Equine, Clare Macleod (Independent Nutritionist), Great Horse Products, Red Horse Products, and more!

Novembers prize is one not to miss! It's an £150 voucher for TopSpec!

Now that will definitely come in handy.