“I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends …” – Email 23
< I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends … Hello There After last week’s email out with warnings about leather care I had a couple of questions […]
Kelly Marks
“Don’t Spoil Your Leather!” – Email 23
< Don't Spoil Your Leather! Hello There After some advice from James Cooling I’m trialling a new bit for Hugo. Hugo’s gorgeous new bridle arrived later that week. It came […]
“1% Improvement” – Email 22
< 1% Improvements Hello There On Sunday Sharron, Hugo and I got over to Hartsop Farm for a small informal meeting of IH Trainers for some reminiscing and a bridle […]
“A tack room but so much better” – Email 21
< “A tack room but so much better” Hello There Look! I got these messages from Online Horse Psychology students yesterday! “Thank you and the IH team for the brilliant […]
‘The Horse Will Tell You’ (Part 1) – Email 19
< “The Horse will Tell You” (Part 1) Now where did we get to? Ah yes – wanting to ensure Hugo is 100% comfortable (if that’s even possible for any […]
What We Need to Work on… – Email 18
< What We Need to Work on… I hope all’s good with you? We seem to have a lot to get through at IH HQ at the moment! We’re so […]
Achieving the Perfect Smile :) – Email 17
< Achieving the Perfect Smile 🙂 I hope all’s good with you? We seem to have a lot to get through at IH HQ at the moment! We’re so nearly […]
The Magic is in The Mix – Email 15
< The Magic is in The Mix Did I say to you about Hugo being booked to jump for 3 days at Hickstead last week? For various reasons I was […]
So Many Challenges – So Little Time … – Email 14
< So Many Challanges – So Little Time … Last week was a funny old time. I haven’t got long now to get the front page of the next IH […]
“NOW PAY ATTENTION!” – Email 13
< NOW PAY ATTENTION! Hello , I’ve heard in the last month of two yards that have each had 3 horses develop hind leg suspensory desmitis within a year. To […]
“Up, Down or Flying Around…” – Email 12
Up, Down or Flying Around… A Note from Kelly – That’s What Friends Are For (She Said) Hello , The Ask Me Anything webinar was fun (don't forget you can […]
Bolting Basics – How To Begin With A Serial Bolter
Bolting Basics – How To Begin With A Serial Bolter Featuring Kelly Marks & Bridget Colston Meet Henry, a six-year-old competition pony who was trained from an unbroken four-year-old. Henry […]
“That’s What Friends Are For (She Said)” – Email 11
A Note from Kelly – That’s What Friends Are For (She Said) A Note from Kelly – That’s What Friends Are For (She Said) Hello , On Sunday late afternoon […]
“Well if it’s not one thing it’s another …” – Email 10
A Note from Kelly – Well if it’s not one thing it’s another … A Note from Kelly – Well if it’s not one thing it’s another … Hello , […]
“A Saddle Disaster? Or a Saddle Saviour?” – Email 9
A Note from Kelly – A Saddle Disaster? Or a Saddle Saviour? Hello , This month we’re focused on putting together the articles for the next IH Magazine. We are […]
“Show Me Your Calendar…” – Email 8
A Note from Kelly – Show Me Your Calendar… Hello , Thank you so much for your messages re. Mums and their sayings and first ponies from last week’s email. […]
The Tricky Loader: Three Exercises To Turn Stress into Success
The Tricky Loader: Three Exercises To Turn Stress into Success Featuring Kelly Marks Equine expert Kelly Marks demonstrates three distinct exercises in this insightful video, designed to help overcome a […]
“It Happened Over Night” – Email 7
A Note from Kelly – 'It Happened Over Night' Hello , Our lovely Mother passed away last Friday. I’m not looking for sympathy, she’d had what the old school called […]
“Circumstances, Consent and Connection” – Email 6
A Note from Kelly – Circumstances, Consent and Connection Hello , I once asked my brother why he couldn’t do something and he messaged back ‘Circumstances’. Which I thought was […]
“Many Roads To Rome?” – Email 5
A Note from Kelly – Many Roads To Rome? Hello , I hope you had a good weekend? The family went from supporting Daisy and Hugo at Boomerang Cross Country […]
“Things They Didn’t Teach Me At Veterinary School” – Email 4
A Note from Kelly x – ‘Things They Didn’t Teach Me At Veterinary School’ Hello , I’ve just been reviewing a book for the Intelligent Horsemanship magazine – the title […]
“Ditches & Dilemmas” – Email 3
A Note from Kelly x – Ditches & Dilemmas Hello , Well … I left you with Pie galloping through the woods to Black Beauty music – did it bring […]
“I don’t get everything right. I know … it was a shock to me too!” – Email 2
I don’t get everything right. I know … it was a shock to me too! Hello , I don’t get everything right. I know … it was a shock to […]
“Note From Kelly” – Email 1
A note from Kelly x Hi , I hope all’s good in your world? I expect you’re wondering what we’ve been doing here the last couple of months?! Well … […]
Kelly Marks – Founder of Intelligent Horsemanship,
Kelly Marks Founder of Intelligent Horsemanship, Kelly Marks, founder of Intelligent Horsemanship, work focused on horse psychology, communication and understanding to enhance horse-human relationships. Kelly Marks Content: Coming soon..
Groundwork for Connection: Building Trust & Willingness (Step by step guide to Join Up)
This video demonstrates initial groundwork exercises designed to build a connection with your horse and encourage them to willingly follow your lead. The focus is on gentle communication and establishing a partnership, not on scaring the horse.
You’ll see how the presenter approaches the horse calmly, establishes eye contact, and uses gentle movements to encourage the horse to move off and change direction. The importance of the handler’s confident body language is emphasized, ensuring the horse can see and follow them. Maintaining visual connection in these early stages is key.
Pie & I Take on TREC! Watch Out For The Low Hanging Branches!
This video gives you a taste of the time I decided to enter Pie and myself into a TREC competition! Easy, right? 😉
You’ll see a session where I’m getting more than a few pointers on my technique for the tricky ‘low branches’ obstacle, followed by some exciting TREC competition footage and a bit of get-up-and-go inspiration!
Carrot Stretches Without Getting Bitten! Maintaining Mobility & Flexibility in Horses
In this video, I’m sharing some of the gentle stretching exercises I do with my amazing now 30 year old veteran horse, Pie. We’ve been together for almost two decades now, and just like us as we get a bit older, keeping Pie mobile and flexible is important for his well-being so he can continue to enjoy life (and maybe even a fun ride or two!).
How To Open A Gate While Riding
How To Open A Gate While Riding Featuring Kelly Marks
The Giddy Up Rope – A Whip Alternative in Horse Training
The Giddy Up Rope – A Whip Alternative in Horse Training Featuring Kelly Marks Join Kelly Marks of Intelligent Horsemanship in this informative YouTube video as she introduces the “Giddy […]
How To Teach Your Horse To Back Up With The Dually Halter
How To Teach Your Horse To Back Up With The Dually Halter Featuring Kelly Marks
Happy Worming! Easy Steps for a Stress-Free Experience
In This video I show you how to make worming a much less stressful experience with a “cunning plan” to get Blondie used to the worming syringe. You’ll see how I initially let her sniff it and even seemingly lick it a bit. It’s all about letting her investigate and get familiar with it.
Teaching Your Horse to Stand Still: Essential Training Tips
This video demonstrates techniques and principles for teaching your horse to stand still reliably in a variety of situations. Whether it’s for TREC competitions, farrier visits, veterinary procedures, grooming, or even tolerating applause, standing still is a skill your horse simply must master. You’ll see examples with Pie, who’s already pretty good at it, though the presence of a rather distracting donkey in the arena is noted!
Horsemanship Essentials – Loading
This episode of “Horsemanship Essentials” focuses on addressing the common challenge of loading horses into trailers or lorries. Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks work with horses exhibiting significant resistance to loading.
Horsemanship Essentials – Clipping
This episode of “Horsemanship Essentials” demonstrates techniques for helping horses overcome their fear of clippers. Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks guide viewers through a step-by-step process using horses with real fears of clipping.
Horsemanship Essentials – Phobia Of Cows
Horsemanship Essentials – Phobia Of Cows Featuring Kelly Marks, Monty Roberts and Team This episode documents Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks works with Calypso, a Thoroughbred cross Irish sports horse […]
Horsemanship Essentials – Fear Of Tractors
This episode demonstrates techniques for helping a horse overcome an intense fear of tractors. The programme focuses on establishing a strong connection with the horse and gradually introducing the feared stimulus in a controlled manner.
Horsemanship Essentials – Control Of Emotions
Horsemanship Essentials – Control Of Emotions Featuring Kelly Marks, Monty Roberts and Team This episode of “Horsemanship Essentials” focuses on the crucial role of emotional control for humans when working […]
Top Marks – Making It Happen
This episode of “Top Marks” features a live demonstration addressing common horse behavioural issues. The programme showcases gentle, step-by-step techniques aimed at building horses’ confidence and trust to help them overcome specific anxieties.
Top Marks – Being Brave
This episode details the efforts to train horses to be brave for different purposes. The programme focuses on acceptance training (desensitisation) with horses to various stimuli and helping them overcome specific phobias through gradual training techniques.
Top Marks – Loading
This episode of “Top Marks on the Road” features a loading clinic in Gloucester, where the host works with three horse owners and their horses to address loading difficulties. The programme details the initial challenges, the techniques used to overcome them, and the importance of understanding the root cause of each horse’s reluctance to load.
Top Marks – Nappy Horse
This episode of “Top Marks on the Road” focuses on a nappy horse ‘crash course’ where Kelly works with horses exhibiting reluctance to move forward or leave other horses. The programme documents the assessment and training interventions used to address this challenging behaviour.
Top Marks – Harry Goes Drag Hunting
Top Marks – Harry Goes Drag Hunting Featuring Kelly Marks and Team More Info Coming Soon…
Top Marks – Mounting Manners
This episode of “Top Marks on the Road” focuses on mounting issues experienced by three different horses and their owners in Somerset. The programme demonstrates initial training interventions aimed at helping these horses stand still and accept being mounted calmly.
Top Marks – The First Challenge
This episode of Top Marks documents the initial activities and challenges faced by a team preparing for a horse demonstration event in Dorset. The programme focuses on assessing horses for suitability, addressing behavioural issues, and introducing young horses to the demonstration environment.
Top Marks – Facing Fears
Addressing Equine Fears and Building Trust Through Understanding and Patience. This episode of “Top Marks – Facing Fears” focuses on addressing various behavioural challenges in horses through understanding, patience, and positive training techniques. The programme features demonstrations and discussions around horses with specific fears and anxieties.
Top Marks – Veteran Horse
Discover essential techniques for caring for older horses and effectively managing anxieties around vets and injections in this insightful Top Marks episode. Featuring renowned horse trainer and Intelligent Horsemanship founder Kelly Marks, alongside researcher Dr. Veronica Fowler, this programme offers practical, welfare-focused horse training strategies to enhance the well-being of veteran equines.
Top Marks – Trust is a Must
Top Marks – Trust is a Must Featuring Kelly Marks & IH Team This episode of Top Marks, titled “Trust Is A Must,” delves into the core principles of building […]
Top Marks – Next Generation
Top Marks – Next Generation Featuring Kelly Marks & IH Team This episode of “Top Marks – Next Generation” details a 5-day horsemanship course at Heartstop Farm. The programme focuses […]
Top Marks – Great Expectations
This episode of “Top Marks – Great Expectations” provides insights into intelligent horsemanship. The programme focuses on the acquisition and initial integration of new horses, ethical considerations in horsemanship, and preparations for an upcoming tour.
Whispering The Wild – Taming The Untouched Horse
This film explores the bond between horse and human through the journey of Kelly Marks to Namibia to work with the wild desert horses. Her aim was to understand the differences between wild and domesticated horses and to test her horsemanship skills with truly untouched animals.
Fitting Your Dually Halter Correctly: with Kelly Marks
In this video, I’m going to show you exactly how to fit your Dually Halter correctly. It’s so important to get this right to make sure it works effectively and is comfortable for your horse.
Dually Halters come in different colours, and these colours actually indicate the size, so you can get the perfect fit for your horse, whatever their breed or size. For example, the green one is the smallest, great for those lovely Welsh Mountain ponies. Red is a really versatile size that fits loads of horses, while black is ideal for your medium Thoroughbreds and smaller Warmbloods. And for the big lads, like extra-large draught horses, we’ve got the blue.
Kelly Marks Tries Western Riding! My Second Time Ever!
This video captures my (very!) early experiences with Western riding – I think it was only my second time ever in public! So, you get to see me learning the ropes, which is always fun. We start with a bit of instruction on how to mount a Western saddle properly. There’s a specific way to hold the reins and place your hands, using the saddle horn for support. Then, we move on to using leg cues to get the horse moving, and the all-important “Whoa” command to stop.
Join Up with Kelly Marks Demonstration
Join Up with Kelly Marks Demonstration Featuring Kelly Marks
7 Essential Groundwork Exercises Every Horse-Owner Should Know
by Kelly Marks and Sandra Williams
Stay in touch and receive our fully illustrated guide to groundwork training! We promise not to overload your inbox and you’ll love the horsemanship tips we send!
Note – Members you can find this article in the Autumn 2015 magazine in the magazine library of the members area.