A celebration of compassion, partnership, and listening to our horses
There are moments in any horse-related journey that take your breath away. Moments where the years of quiet work behind the scenes, the long hours of research, writing, editing, and reflection suddenly gather themselves into something you can hold in your hands and say, “We’ve made a difference.”
Receiving the news that Harmonious Horsemanship has won a Winnie Award at the Equus Film and Arts Festival 2025 was one of those moments.
To be recognised by an international festival that celebrates creativity, welfare, and storytelling in the horse world feels incredibly special — not just for me personally, but for the message at the heart of this book. This award shines a light on the idea that horses express discomfort in subtle ways, that behaviour is communication, and that what some might label as “naughty” or “difficult” is often a horse trying to tell us something important.
Harmonious Horsemanship grew from a collaboration with Dr Sue Dyson, whose pioneering work on the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) has changed how riders, trainers, and vets around the world recognise pain-related behaviour. Working with Sue on this book was an enormous privilege. Her commitment to horse welfare, scientific rigour, and clarity of thought helped transform a complex subject into a practical guide that riders at every level can use.
Together, we wrote Harmonious Horsemanship to help people feel confident in identifying discomfort, to offer a structured approach for assessing ridden behaviour, and ultimately to support more compassionate human–horse relationships. Our hope was that the book would resonate with riders who care deeply about their horses and want to understand them better.
For the book to now receive international recognition is both humbling and energising.
The Equus Film and Arts Festival is known for showcasing work that elevates the horse–human bond, celebrates artistic excellence, and prioritises welfare. To receive a Winnie Award places Harmonious Horsemanship among creative projects that champion kindness, empathy, and thoughtful horsemanship.
To me, this award reinforces three things I care about deeply:
1. Listening to our horses matters.
Pain can be subtle. Behaviour is often the first clue that something isn’t right. The RHpE finally gives owners a clear, accessible framework for recognising discomfort early.
2. Science can be beautifully practical.
One of my favourite responses from readers is, “I finally understand what I’m seeing.” Translating research into real-world tools is where change truly happens.
3. Compassion changes outcomes.
A horse who is understood, supported, and listened to performs better, feels safer, and enjoys their work. A harmonious relationship starts with curiosity, not criticism.
So many riders experience frustration, confusion, or even self-doubt when their horse behaves unexpectedly. I’ve seen it for decades in my work as an equine physiotherapist, and Sue has seen it equally in her veterinary practice. A horse refusing to go forward, tossing its head, stumbling, or resisting the contact — these can be dismissed as training problems, attitude, or “naughtiness.”
But what if these behaviours are early whispers of discomfort?
The book helps readers:
understand the 24 behaviours of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram,
recognise when behaviour may be linked to pain,
explore how physical discomfort influences performance,
make kinder, more informed decisions for their horse, and
feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
The award feels like a quiet nod from the wider equestrian world that this conversation is not only needed but welcomed.
Books don’t exist in isolation. They live through the people who read them, reflect on them, and share them. Every message, every review, every story from a rider who says the RHpE helped them recognise pain earlier — these are the reasons this work matters.
To everyone who has supported the book, whether by reading it, recommending it, or simply sharing the message: thank you. This award belongs to you as much as to us.
If you’d like to explore Harmonious Horsemanship, you can find it here:
👉 https://www.harmonioushorsemanship.co.uk
And if you’d like to receive a 20% discount, plus weekly insights into both horse and human wellbeing, you’re warmly welcome to join my newsletter community:
👉 https://www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/newsletter/
In a world where horses give us so much, learning to understand them better is one of the greatest gifts we can offer in return. I hope Harmonious Horsemanship continues to support riders and horses in finding ease, clarity, and harmony — and I’m deeply grateful that the Equus Film and Arts Festival has chosen to honour that mission.
Here’s to listening more closely, learning more deeply, and always striving for a more compassionate partnership with our horses.
— Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio
🌟 About Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio
Sue Palmer MCSP is an award-winning Chartered Physiotherapist, educator, and author. Known for her compassionate, evidence-informed approach, Sue specialises in human health and equine well-being, with a focus on the links between pain and behaviour in horses. She is registered with RAMP, ACPAT, IHA, CSP, and HCPC.
📚 Books include:
• Harmonious Horsemanship (with Dr Sue Dyson)
• Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?
• Horse Massage for Horse Owners
🌐 Learn more at www.thehorsephysio.co.uk
