Nahshon Cook Horsemanship

05/24/2026

Pal learning the passage-piaffe-passage transitions on the twenty meter circle.

05/24/2026

My journey.

Marie McPhee Photography, thank you for this beautiful re-memory.

When I’m afraid, and doubts and negativity try to make me run away and hide from the world, I breathe as deeply as I’m able into my love for this life to be full of awareness and surrender so that I may have a clear enough mind to be present, a courageous enough heart to be vulnerable, and a simple enough faith to listen on purpose so that horses may continue to be my help along the way. Nahshon Cook Horsemanship

05/22/2026

A DM (used with permission) from one of last weekend's Wisconsin Gathering participants:

Hi, Nahshon! I just wanted to thank you again for the gathering last weekend. It was intellectually and emotionally overwhelming in the absolute best way, and I am looking forward to thinking about and learning from it for a long time.

I also wanted to thank you again for your generosity. I was a high school teacher for 11 years and so I understand a very little bit how emotionally taxing it can be to have the role you do in these spaces. Your openness to questions during the sessions was so supportive, and I know I learned a lot more from your answers to all of our questions than I would have without them.

I also wanted to especially thank you for the extra time you took to talk to me at the end of that first day. That conversation meant so much to me and your thoughts on my questions were very helpful.

I feel like this isn't close to enough to express the good that you're doing for the humans who get to watch your work with the Wild Rose herd, much less to thank you for inviting us into that space. But thank you so, so much for showing us how to be good friends to the horses in our lives.

-Lindsay

05/22/2026

An email (shared with permission) from one of last weekend's Wisconsin Gathering participants:

Today was my first day back with my mare since the clinic. She has a bit of history with tension (as do I, surprise). I’ve learned a lot from her, but we’re still on a learning path and I know we always will be. I shared some thoughts with my trainer so we used a few of your gems, and the mare was a bit surprised, a little curious, but by the end very grateful. I rewarded her for relaxation, I asked for energy with play instead of pushing with tension on the ground and in the saddle. I stopped frequently to keep myself relaxed and rewarded her for relaxing in turn. When she made an effort I got off and thanked her for it. And for the first time ever, she yawned in the arena with her bit still in her mouth.

Many thanks to you, Jean and the herd for all of it.

Terry

05/21/2026

Thanks for joining us for last weekend's Wisconsin Gatherings, Soft Eyes Equine Bodywork, and for the fun alliteration too.

This seems to be the only way I can express myself after attending Nahshon Cook Horsemanship's Wisconsin Gathering last weekend. These are the lessons he taught us while letting us into his workday. If you have not yet been, and my digital drawing / artwork resonates with you, consider going. Reach out to his FB page directly for details about the experience and remaining dates.

05/21/2026

"On one side there is the unconditional subjection by force and punishment with which the rider may reach his goal more quickly but only if he has a good-natured creature with no tendency to fight. This kind of education, however, will undermine the individual character of the animal and result in obedience out of fear. The brilliance of such a horse will be lost and he will be indifferent towards man or even hostile. If on the other hand, the training of the horse is based on kindness, calmness, and ample reward as well as understanding for his personality, the result will be happy obedience on the part of the horse and pleasure in his work. It may take a little longer than with the other method but there will never be that ugly fight between man and animal. The charm and brilliance of the horse will be maintained, even enhanced, and preserved until his old age."-- from pg .105 of "My Horses My Teachers" By: Alois Podhajsky

05/18/2026

Well, our second Wisconsin Gathering is done. What a beautiful weekend of communion with the very special herd of Wild Rose Farm.

We had guests from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, New York, and Virginia. Thank you all for many things:
1) Respecting the horse's space.
2) Holding space for some on the horses to have really significant personal breakthrough.
3) For asking really fantastic questions.
4) For being so very kind and supportive of each other.
5) For first listening to "Cantos in Memorium of Benjamin Brenton" by: Arvo Part, and then allowing me to try and explain how the beautiful piece of music has helped me understand the layers that a horse's education is.
6) Thank you for asking for book recommendations.

Next month we will have guests for the June Wisconsin Gathering from Colorado, Kentucky, Arizona, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Israel.

The "Rescued Hearts" filmmakers will also be joining us again to finish recording for the project they'll be making about the work we're doing here.

I feel like saying "Thank you" isn't enough. But, it's all I've got. So, thanks again.

Also, below I've included the the 1995 World Cup freestyle rides of Biotop and Bonfire that we talked about today.

https://youtu.be/n6zRO57mN5o?si=Fog-InsHvriI3jj3

https://youtu.be/qB-jAk-B5dQ?si=aM5j6FYlcqKD7Yn3

Traveling Mercies.

Dr.Klimke & Biotop in their Kur---4th place with 76.47%[No Commentary]

05/16/2026

Dressage that is boring most days, is correct dressage, I feel.

It's quiet, calm, unglamorous continuity. It's saying "no" to shiny practices that create chaos, and "yes" to dull practices that create power.

It's rooted-ness, not decoration.

We have our second Wisconsin Gathering starting in the morning.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

05/04/2026

During the course of teaching the dressage horse, from the Basics to High School, it is the rider's responsibility to make sure the horse maintains joy in the lessons. For me, this is the art.

04/29/2026

Howdy. I think it was last week that I made a post asking if anyone would be interested in me offering a mentorship program. Many people, expressed interest.

So, our team came up with application questions for applicants to answer. They will be due by June 1, 2026.

Once submitted, our team will read them, closely and respectfully, and the next steps of the application process will be given to the applicant(s) whose answers reflect
a heart for horses that we think would benefit the most from this experience.

That said, please don't disqualify yourself. If you are interested, please apply. The email address is below:

[email protected]

Thank you.