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Every so often, a book comes along that feels like it has been written straight from the heart — and straight to the heart of what horsemanship is all about. The Mindful Equestrian: Recipes for Balance, Connection and Well-Being by Sandra Williams is one of those books.
Sandra and I have known each other for many years, both before and after she qualified as an Intelligent Horsemanship Trainer. She’s also the trusted guardian of my beloved rescue pony, Bones, also known as The White Prince. Bones has been part of our lives for an incredible 30 years, and I couldn’t have wished for a kinder, more knowledgeable person to share in his care. He even features in the book, making it extra special for me.
A “Recipe” for Horsemanship
What I love about Sandra’s book is its unique “recipe” format. Each of the 18 groundwork exercises comes with its own list of ‘ingredients’ and ‘instructions’. It’s a wonderfully accessible way to help horse owners build a relationship based on trust, presence, and mutual respect.
These aren’t about getting your horse to do more. They’re about helping you both be more — more aware, more attuned, more connected.
The exercises are complemented by video clips that show real horses, real handlers, and real-life scenarios. They’re not polished demonstrations with everything going perfectly. Instead, they show the honest, sometimes messy, always meaningful moments that make up life with horses.
The Principles Behind the Book
Sandra’s approach is grounded in the principles of Intelligent Horsemanship (IH), an organisation founded by Kelly Marks to bring the work of Monty Roberts — and the ethos of non-violent, science-backed, horse-centred training — to the UK and beyond.
I’ve been part of Intelligent Horsemanship since before it officially existed, gaining my Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate of Horsemanship in 1998. Over the years, I’ve seen first-hand how IH has transformed the way people think about, train, and live alongside their horses.
At its core, IH is about listening to the horse — really listening — and responding in a way that’s fair, kind, and effective. It means understanding equine behaviour, learning to read subtle signals, and working with the horse rather than against him.
The Role of Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainers
One of the great strengths of Intelligent Horsemanship is its network of Recommended Trainers — highly skilled professionals who have been through a rigorous training and assessment process. They work across the UK (and internationally) to help horses and their owners overcome challenges such as loading issues, handling problems, groundwork difficulties, and ridden behaviour concerns.
These trainers embody the IH ethos:
Sandra is one of these trainers. Her work — both in person and now through her book — helps owners not just “fix a problem”, but grow a relationship with their horse that is stronger, more trusting, and more joyful.
More Than Just Groundwork
The exercises in The Mindful Equestrian are all groundwork-based, but their impact goes far beyond the arena or the yard. They are designed to shift your mindset as much as your horse’s responses.
Mindfulness isn’t about slowing everything down to a crawl. It’s about being present in each moment — aware of your body language, your breathing, your emotions, and how your horse is responding. It’s about knowing when to step forward and when to step back.
Horses, after all, are incredibly sensitive to our energy and intentions. When we learn to manage ourselves better, we create the space for our horses to feel safe, relaxed, and willing to engage with us.
Why This Book Matters
I’ve seen so many horse-and-owner partnerships transformed by these principles. Horses that were shut down start to open up. Owners who felt frustrated begin to smile again. Small changes — like standing quietly and breathing with your horse — can have enormous ripple effects.
Kelly Marks described The Mindful Equestrian beautifully in her own review:
“The Mindful Equestrian is the kind of book I wish more horse people had on their shelves — not because it teaches you how to ‘do more,’ but because it reminds you how to be more. Grounded, aware, emotionally honest — with yourself and your horse.”
That sums it up perfectly. This isn’t just a training manual. It’s an invitation to a different way of being with your horse.
A Gift to Yourself and Your Horse
Whether you’re dealing with a young horse, a rescue, an older companion, or a seasoned competition partner, there’s something in this book for you. It’s not about where you are now; it’s about where you want to go — together.
I know how much care, thought, and integrity Sandra has put into this work. It’s real, it’s kind, and it’s practical. And for me, it’s also personal — because my White Prince is part of its pages.
If you’re ready to explore a gentler, more mindful way of working with your horse — one rooted in mutual trust, clear communication, and genuine connection — I can’t recommend The Mindful Equestrian highly enough.
📖 Find out more and order your copy here.
🌟 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
