Field, Jonathan Articles

Turn Pushy Horses Around with Three Simple Lessons

Updated:

April 10, 2024

Jonathan Field pushy horse, how do i control my horse, how do i stop bad horse behaviour, horse to behave, hold and wait horse, horse yield

You are who your friends are. That adage can apply to horses, too. How we treat them will often be reflected right back at us - for good or bad. Sometimes the difference between a harsh cue and an appropriate one can be subtle. Pressure can be effective, but intensity and timing can make all the difference.

How to Build Confidence in Your Horse

Updated:

February 20, 2024

Jonathan Field, Jonathan Field Purpose Camp, Build Confidence in Your Horse, Cone on a Barrel horse exercise, horse jump over log, improve technical horse skills, horse obstacles, increase confidence in horse

By incorporating lots of variety into our lives with horses, we create purpose. Purpose gives meaning to the everyday exercises that, if overdone, can make a horse sour. But with variety and purpose, we and our horses can both build confidence and have a lot of fun!

My Horse Bucks!

Updated:

December 24, 2022

how to stop a horse bucking, my horse won't stop bucking, jonathan field, natural horsemanship, exercises to stop bucking, my horse won't canter

There are many different reasons for a horse to buck. This article will explore the horse’s motives for bucking, tackle some of the issues that might be causing him to behave this way, and offer some insights to help resolve the situation.

Jonathan Field on Becoming a Horseman

Updated:

February 25, 2022

Jonathan Field, horseman tips, what is a horseman?, horseman leading horse, befriending your horse

Horsemen are a rare group of individuals, no matter their age or gender. In my life, I have been fortunate to meet and study with a few horsemen whose qualities have changed and shaped my way of thinking.

How to Get and Keep Your Horse’s Attention

Updated:

December 15, 2021

Jonathan Field how do i get my horse to focus, get my horse's attention, help focussing horse, horse won't focus, horse won't pay attention, natural horsemanship

My horse is great in the arena, but easily distracted as soon as we go out of the ring. He’s good when he’s by himself, but when there are other horses around, my horse’s mind is not with me. My horse is fine when his herd-mate is nearby, but as soon as we try to separate he loses his mind! Sometimes he’s with me… and other times it’s like I’m not even there. If you can relate to any of these statements, the tips in this article will help you understand your horse – the ultimate tourist – and how to get his attention.

Let's Build a Great Stop with Jonathan Field

Updated:

December 3, 2021

Jonathan Field, horse riding stop, horse whoa, horse hault, One Rein Bend to the Stop, Disengaging horse's Hindquarters, Two-Rein Stop, horse riding Jonathan Field

What makes a great stop? A great stop is when you can ride at the gallop in any location and simply relax, let your breath out, and your horse responds by quickly coming down to the stop, both physically and mentally, just off your seat.

Walk, Trot – BUCK!

Updated:

November 18, 2021

Jonathan Field, how to stop horse bucking, why is horse bucking, horse won't canter trot, groundwork for horse

Recently, I helped a friend whose mare was having problems with the transition to canter. Moving from trot to canter was scary at best – the mare might cut sharply into a turn, panic and rush, or throw in a strong buck. The mare seemed to be saying let’s just stick with the trot!

More Fun! And Why it's Important

Updated:

July 16, 2021

Jonathan Field, fun horse riding, setting horse riding goals, make horse riding fun

Fun! It’s the reason so many of us are drawn to horses. It seems obvious... so why write an article on it? Because often fun seems to be forgotten by both horses and riders.

Noel: The Christmas Pony

Updated:

December 14, 2020

rescue horse Noel was rescued by BC SPCA, noel christmas pony jonathan field, rescue horses

Every so often you encounter a story that really sticks with you. You find yourself reflecting on it as you’re going about your daily routines. You wonder, “Why did that happen? How can I help?” That’s what happened when I first heard about a young horse named Noel.

Connecting With Cam, Part 3 - Purpose with Cam and a Steer

Updated:

November 17, 2020

Jonathan Field, control your horse, equine Ground Skills horses, horses controlling steer, natural horsemanship, connecting with your horse, horses working cows

I’m always looking for fun, different things to do with my horses. Each summer after my spring clinic tour is over, my family, my horses, and I head to our ranch, just west of Merritt, BC. With 600 acres on the home ranch and 10,000 acres of leased land ranging from steep, thick bush country and beautiful views to flat, open pasture with cattle roaming the range, James Creek Ranch is Mother Nature’s playground, and provides endless opportunities for having fun with horses.

Connecting with Cam, Part 2: Playing with Horses at Liberty

Updated:

November 16, 2020

Jonathan Field, horses at liberty, how to connect with horse

Liberty means to play with a horse with no ropes. I clearly remember the first time I saw a horse run up to someone and follow them at liberty. It blew my mind!

Connecting with Cam, Part 1: Ground Skills and New Environments

Updated:

November 15, 2020

Jonathan Field, natural horsemanship, equine ground skills horse, connecting with horse, obstacles for horses, equine mind, horse mind, bombproofing horse

In this next series of articles, I will share with you a very special horse of mine named Camaroon LXXXIV, or “Cam”, an eight-year-old Andalusian stallion. I’ve had Cam for two years and we’re really starting to connect. It’s been quite a journey to get here, however, and I want to share some of the gems I have learned along the way.

Mount Your Horse Safely

Updated:

June 24, 2020

Jonathan Field, Natural Horsemanship, Mounting a Horse, Mounting a Green Horse, Horse Behaviour

In this article I will describe the procedure I use to safely mount a horse, and point out some important things to be aware of when mounting and dismounting. Whether you are preparing your young horse for the future or developing good habits with your older horse, there are several key points every horseperson should know.

Horsemanship: Free Up with Sideways

Updated:

March 21, 2020

Jonathan Field, horse riding sideways, horse yoga, lateral equine exercises, half pass at trot, lateral equine exercises along fence, lateral equine exercises without fence, lateral equine exercises touching ribs, Jonathan Field Horsemanship

One of the first things I teach all of my horses is to move sideways willingly from the ground and while riding. These lateral exercises are beneficial for every discipline as they teach your horse to become flexible through the hindquarters and shoulders, and more balanced and athletic. Sideways will stretch and strengthen the horse in ways that moving straight will not. It is like yoga for horses!

Respect Starts Here!

Updated:

March 21, 2020

This article focuses on the very basics of daily care and handling. These are daily rituals that will change the way your horse looks at you and, more importantly, change the way you look at your horse. I picked these specific exercises because they are things that are done every single day.

Understanding the Equine Drive Line

Updated:

August 11, 2019

Equine Drive Line, horse drive line, Jonathan Field, anatomy of horse round pen, round pen liberty lesson tips, natural horsemanship

What is the drive line? In this excerpt from my book, I will explore the drive line and how important it is for you to understand where it is on the horse’s anatomy and how the horse responds to it when working at liberty, or when the horse is loose in the round pen.

Build Your Horse’s Confidence - Part 2

Updated:

July 20, 2019

Build Your Horse’s Confidence with jonathan field, natural horsemanship, exercises with horses, jonathan field dragging a log, horse confidence

Build Your Horse's Confidence - In the previous article Build Your Horse's Confidence Part 1, I demonstrated how to build confidence around a horse’s personal space bubble by dragging a post with my new seven-year-old Canadian Warmblood named Bellagio, or “Geo.”

Build Your Horse’s Confidence - Part 1

Updated:

July 19, 2019

horse groundwork, Build Your Horse’s Confidence with jonathan field, natural horsemanship, exercises with horses, jonathan field dragging a log, horse confidence

Dragging a Log - Helping horses build their confidence in unique ways can prepare them for the unexpected. At any age or with any discipline, I encourage riders to find ways to challenge themselves and their horses by trying new things and teaching them that they can trust you when they feel worried. I see so many horses that are incredibly sheltered by their owners and, as a result, become so fragile that any little thing causes them too much anxiety.

The Comfy Canter

Updated:

June 14, 2019

Jonathan Field, comfortable canter, training horse canter, canter length, natural horsemanship

Have you ever watched someone riding along on a nice, relaxed, rocking-horse canter and dreamed of one day having your horse canter like that? It’s happened to me. The image of seeing this “dream canter” for the first time remains clear in my mind to this day.

Ride Better With One Rein Riding

Updated:

June 12, 2019

jonathan field, one rein riding for horses, bridleless, halter riding for horses, natural horsemanship, horse obstacle, bridleless canter for horses, bridleless trot for horses, bridleless walk for horses

One rein riding is simply riding your horse without a bridle, using instead a regular halter and lead, with the lead as your single rein. It’s a simple tack change, but a great way to brush up on the basics with all levels of horses. It will very quickly reveal to you how well started your horse really is.