Jean Clarkson Horsemanship

05/06/2026

Something a little different tonight, but most definitely still horse related! 🐴

I've been saying for a while now about how, when I was learning all about natural horsemanship, that it was a lonely experience. How I longed to have other people around me who were learning too, to share the highs, and the lows, to have people to chat to to share experiences and knowledge.

Don't get me wrong, I had some lovely friends who were interested in how I was doing things differently, encouraged me and even asked for my advice on their horses, but none of them followed it as I was doing.

I had 1 very encouraging friend a little further afield, a prior school friend, who was way further along in her horsemanship journey, who was invaluable at helping me really see the horse in front of me and stop being stuck in our previous chapter. I also found a couple of upcoming trainers (at the time, now highly skilled and successful) who were amazing in my times of desperation.

When I moved to Co. Durham I was overjoyed at finding a like minded community! I felt seen and heard, there were those further along in their journey who I could admire and learn from, and those not as far along as myself who were keen to hear my journey.

I attended major clinics with international trainers, smaller clinics and private lessons with lovely local trainers, playdays, horseless workshops and meals out for a more sociable meetup. I also spent a good amount of time playing with my trainers own horses to develop my skills and empathy.

When we moved to Scotland 10 years ago I was saddened to leave this wonderful and supportive community behind.

Since starting Jean Clarkson Horsemanship, it has been my desire to create a supportive community where people can share their experiences, skills, tools, facilities and heart. I already have a private community page for clients to share whatever they like but tonight we took the community out into the real world!

With huge thanks to one of my lovely regulars for organising our very first get together ❤️

A few of us met for a lovely meal where much horsey chat was had. I absolutely loved watching everyone getting to know each other, offering support and ideas.

Discussion was had regarding a horsey gathering and another horseless get together.

I'm so proud, and humbled, by these wonderful people who are very much my friends and my community of like minded horsey folk ❤️ 😊

04/06/2026

Did you know that I've also ridden bridleless?

My first, truly magical, experience was with my beloved Faith ❤️

From being unrideable, unpredictable and downright dangerous at times she became such an incredible partner. To be honest she was way more to me than words can ever describe. She was my teacher in everything.

We had ridden for years in a rope halter, often practicing without touching the reins, but even so, to take that halter and reins off for the very first time was nerve wracking! Thankfully it was super successful and we would occasionally take off the halter to feel that true partnership.

My next experience was with the lovely Bailey. A gorgeous, genuine and already really beautifully trained horse who I had the pleasure of part sharing after Faith had passed. As Bailey was already so aware of correct aids and not reliant on the rein then my first time riding her bridleless was effortless and fun!

Finally, my third official bridleless mount was my very own pocket rocket Molly.

Like Faith, Molly has complications related to being ridden. During regular work a few years ago, we got to a stage where she was lovely and relaxed in walk. Again, after a lot of preparation, I took off her halter and we had a super walk around, practicing lateral flexion, go, stop and backup. We have also had further bridleless rides with successful trotting and short canters.

This is not too distant a dream should you dream it!

With clear and consistent groundwork, a focus on riding being introduced as bitless first, then bridleless could be your next level!

Pop me a message if you'd like to discuss how I could help you experience your own magical connection with your horse 🥰🐴

28/05/2026

I knew this gorgeous Connemara pony was going to be an interesting chap.

His owner contacted me as he was, quite literally, running rings around her. He's extremely sweet but when he doesn't know what to do he gets very mouthy, pushy, and very explosive.

It could be said he is stubborn and opinionated and he needs a firm hand to tell him what to do and tell him off for being naughty.

But, that's not my approach.

Our first session was quite low key. Spending the time getting to know him, listening to him, looking at the relationship he has with his human. I began, as I generally do, with my close range work, however it quickly became apparent that this wouldn't work well as a beginning point for this unconfident boy. The slightest touch or pressure was met with resistance, defence and teeth. He also did not want me on his right eye.

During his second session I experienced just what his owner had been struggling with. The explosive bucking, rearing, facing, changing direction and pelting it round the circle (while lunging) behaviour.

Without judgement, I calmly asked him to pay attention to me in the middle, stand and relax. By interrupting his pattern, without trying to add to it, he began to start processing.

This opened up the foundation for a conversation.

By default, he very quickly learned to 'turn and face' (hindquarter yield). Asking him to move his shoulder was more challenging as thats where he knew he was strong, but by asking him quietly and consistently, he realised he had no reason to become so defensive. He was being asked, not told, and that began to build his confidence in how to answer the question.

Over the next couple of sessions I supported him to become braver, responsive rather than reactive and helped his owner to start having those conversations with him too.

Then during one of those sessions I said that ultimately we are looking for the horse to maintain their responsibility when we've asked them to do something so we can remain in neutral until we are otherwise needed. So I stood still in the centre of our circle, we'd basically been walking the circle with him up until this point to support him, but then he did the most beautiful circles around me! Not without him asking questions (especially like do I have eyes in the back of my head to see he's stopped), and not without having a conversation that yes, indeed I could see that he had stopped but his task was to keep circling and keep me in neutral until I asked him to stop, turn and face and draw in.

He has come such a long way in such a short time. Both he and his owner are feeling so much more confident in themselves and in their communication with each other. It's not perfect yet, he still really struggles when there's distractions, but with the tools and conversation it is not as explosive as it was just a few weeks ago.

Video 1 - showing me what his owner had been experiencing every time she tried to do anything in the school.

Video 2 - some of our conversation within the same session.

Video 3 - when he stunned us all at doing exactly what I had wanted to demonstrate but didn't think it would actually happen!

Videos filmed with thanks to this boy's lovely owners. Thank you for letting me share the beginnings of your story. 😊

26/05/2026

One of my regulars having a 'bridleless' (bridle and neck rope on as a safety net) warm down after a fabulous, but hot, lesson looking at improving their communication and focus in canter (with reins if needed) using ground poles.

We used the same poles to practice steering, stopping, rhythm and flow.

Here's a quick clip of following a circle and stopping all without reins 😍

24/05/2026

What a brilliant day! Lots of wonderful horses and owners building their skills and relationships and I got my very first cuddle from a teeny lamb! 🐑

I really felt the love today too, thank you to you all for your ongoing belief, your words mean more than you could ever know ❤️

21/05/2026

Natural Horsemanship Clinic
with Jean Clarkson Horsemanship

Join us for a relaxed, supportive clinic focused on building a better connection between you and your horse through feel, understanding, and clear communication.

This clinic is suitable for all levels and is designed to help you:

🐴 Build trust and confidence

🐴 Improve communication on the ground or ridden

🐴 Develop a deeper understanding of your horse’s behaviour

🐴 Create a calmer, more willing partnership

📍 Location

Whiteleys Farm
Stranraer
DG9 8LY

📅 Date

Saturday 27th June

💚 Sessions Available

Private Session
1 hour — £60
✔ Tailored 1-to-1 support for you and your horse

Group Session (3 people)
1 hour — £45 per person
✔ Learn alongside others in a relaxed, encouraging environment

🌟 What to Expect

A kind, pressure-free approach where both horse and human are listened to. Whether you’re working through challenges or simply want to deepen your partnership, this clinic will meet you where you are.

✏️ Booking

Spaces are limited and will fill quickly.
Message the page or 07368 198800 to secure your place.

Better connection. Better understanding. Better together. 🐴💚

08/05/2026

💗

Happy 16th birthday to my most beautiful Molly 🐴❤️

05/05/2026

I've been riding in a hackamore (rope style, not English style) for over 20 years and every horse that I start or restart is ridden in a hackamore too.

Educating a horse, or rider, is all about exaggeration so why would we want to risk their delicate mouths during this process of learning through gentle communication to inflict responses to pain rather than feel.

What is mentioned in regards to beginners riding in the hackamore I whole heartedly agree. It would prevent those missed steps of learning true balance, coordination and understanding of both the horse and human biomechanics in the race to get faster or jump bigger that is so prevalent in beginner riders.

I love the last paragraph, and in particular the last sentence!

"If your goal as a beginner is to become a better rider and have much better communication with your horse then the hackamore is absolutely a fantastic tool. If your goal is simply to “control” your horse then the hackamore is probably not for you. Then again if a riders focus is on control instead of communication they should probably stay away from horses and just buy a motorcycle or something"

More thoughts on the hackamore.
Why beginning riders absolutely SHOULD ride in the hackamore.

In my last post I talked about people claiming to be masters/experts in an art they have not had even enough practice in to understand the basics let alone be teaching others.
Because many of these trainers have experience with other tools but find the hackamore difficult for themselves some will tell you that you are not ready to ride in one. This comes from their own lack of knowledge and misunderstandings of the tool. Remember, when someone tells you what you can not do in a hackamore they are actually telling you what THEY can not do in a hackamore.

The hackamore gives you a much more honest communication with your horse than what you get in a bit. If you do not have a good seat, are out of balance, out of timing, or inconsistent with your signals the hackamore is simply not going to work well for you. And that is actually a good thing. It gives you VERY important feedback. In a bit many people make up for these deficiencies in their riding with the discomfort and pain the bit creates in the mouth. The bit has a pain compliance response and many riders are unknowingly creating a pain based response that they misinterpret as lightness, soft feel or whatever you want to call it. I see this a LOT in snaffle but riders and riders using two hands on a shank bit.

The hackamore has no significant pain compliance component. You can not force a horse even by accident. If you are not getting the desired response you have to think your way through the problem instead of forcing your way through it even if unintentionally. Because of this the beginning rider learns to be a much more conscious rider. They learn how other very important aspects of riding besides the reins influence the horse.

If your goal as a beginner is to become a better rider and have much better communication with your horse then the hackamore is absolutely a fantastic tool. If your goal is simply to “control” your horse then the hackamore is probably not for you. Then again if a riders focus is on control instead of communication they should probably stay away from horses and just buy a motorcycle or something. 😉