JCS Equestrian Coach - Jodi Wilkinson BSc BHSAI

05/12/2024

This. The horse is never naughty. Their brains do not function in that way.

Reposting one of my favorite graphics until it reaches every corner, mind and heart.

There is always more to behavior than what most people think. We can’t assume that animals (and children too, for that matter) always share their needs with us in a constructive way - how could they? Animals don’t even speak our language. So behavior is their way of communicating with us.

Saying that behavior is ‘naughty’ and ‘on purpose’ is so short sighted and does a terrible injustice to animals and children.

Horses are incapable of doing things to us ‘on purpose’. They only do what they think they should do. If you don’t like it what you’re seeing, then you have to find out WHY the horse does it and to what extent YOU evoke that behavior.

Because communication is always a two way street.

Guilt has no place in a relationship. So, if you want a true relationship with your horse, stop the blaming. Watch your words. Be brave. Ask questions. And face the answers.

It will tell you a lot about yourself.

You might grow here.

05/12/2024

Availability for lessons:

🧲Saturday 15th December - morning

🧲Sunday 22nd - all day free at the moment

After above, I am off work and available for teaching until 5th January.

Please DM to get booked in!

28/11/2024

Warming Up Your Horse: Prioritise Natural Balance

As temperatures drop, horses may need extra time to warm up. Determining the optimal warm-up routine can be challenging. How long should it last? Which exercises are best?

A common mistake is prioritising a deep, round head-neck frame, especially in competition settings. This can overload the horse's front legs, hindering forward energy and potentially leading to muscle tension.

Instead, focus on starting in the horse's natural balance. This means riding toward your hand without forcing a specific frame. Younger horses may balance more on their forehands, while more experienced horses have a more balanced posture.

Regardless of the horse's level, the principle remains the same: start with the basics and allow the horse to warm up naturally. By avoiding excessive head-lowering, you can maintain balance, prevent injuries, and promote a supple, loose topline.

26/11/2024

As a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, I pay over £500 a year to make certain I am fully insured with up-to-date first aid and safeguarding training and Enhanced DBS certificate. I am also committed to attending regular CPD (Continued Professional Development) to ensure my knowledge is always current and to enrich my coaching skills.

When you choose a BHS APC, know that I have a Code of Conduct with principles I follow, built on integrity, honesty, fair play and respect.

Next lesson availability:

🐴 Saturday 7th December - Scunthorpe area

21/11/2024

100% YES to this!!

Expanding Our Reach: Bringing Harmonious Horsemanship to Equestrian Education

I’m excited to announce that Sue Dyson and I will soon be in a position to start building a database of educational establishments, regulatory bodies, professional associations, riding clubs, course organisers, equestrian influencers, and more, in order to bring Harmonious Horsemanship into mainstream equestrian education. We passionately believe that every horse person should have knowledge of the robust science underpinning the recognition of pain in the ridden horse. This is why we invested our time and energy in writing our book. We’ve included real-life case studies to support our message, and we have contributions from experts from around the world. It’s a year since the book was published, and we’re so excited to move onto this next stage of raising awareness. To that end, we are asking if you have any contacts who would like us to get in touch with details of the book, perhaps for their course library, or to consider it as recommended reading? Maybe you know of an equine course, a Riding Club or a Professional Association, who would be interested in an online presentation or an in-person seminar with Dr Sue Dyson? If so, please ask them to contact us through my website, The Horse Physio, or drop me a message with their details so that we can contact them. Thanks in advance!

I’m Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio. To support my work, please go to my website and subscribe to my free newsletter. Thanks for listening, I appreciate you sharing your time with me.

21/11/2024

Keep fibre levels up and keep an eye on your neddies in this frosty cold weather.

Frosty Grass & Laminitis Risk...

Frosty mornings may look beautiful, but for our laminitis prone horses and ponies, they bring hidden dangers. While it’s tempting to believe melted frost means safe grazing, that’s not the full story. Here's what you need to know:

🌱 Sugar Build Up:
On bright, sunny days, grass produces sugars through photosynthesis, storing them overnight. When temperatures drop below 5°C, grass respiration (which uses those sugars) halts, leaving sugar levels dangerously high for laminitics.

⚠️ Management Tips:
Avoid grazing during bright, cold spells until overnight temps stay above 5°C or cloudy weather returns.
Feed low NSC hay (under 10%). Soak to reduce sugars effectively.
Offer slightly warm drinking water to encourage hydration and prevent impaction colic.

❄️ Additional Risk Factors:
Hard ground sensitivity - Use hoof boots for protection and circulation.
PPID horses - Rug appropriately as they struggle to regulate body temperature.
For good-doers - balance warmth and weight loss by monitoring rugs carefully.

💡 Diet Adjustments:
Limit hard feed and focus on fibre.
Balance the diet with a broad spectrum supplement or balancer to provide essential nutrients.

Remember, a little extra care now helps protect your horse from the risks of frosty weather.

21/11/2024

Poles as a walking exercise is perfect in this weather if the ground is too hard to trot/canter.

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽 - 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀

Walking your horse over a series of poles (set at a distance of 0.7-1m apart) is good for:
✅ Improving rhythm
✅ Strength
✅ Control
✅ Developing back rotation
✅ Lateral flexion

Walk poles can also help stop jogging or an irregular or lateral walk.

19/11/2024

I'm coaching in Scunthorpe area again on Saturday. Pop me a message if you would like a lesson. 😊

16/11/2024

Happy to help any riders improve their seat and balance during no stirrups November!

If Pippa Funnell still feels she needs the practice, then should we all be spending some time without our stirrups?

15/11/2024

I agree with this! I am 46 and just graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Equine Sports Science and Coaching at University Centre Bishop Burton. 👩‍🎓

Higher-level education isn’t just for school leavers, so don’t listen to any internal self-doubts ❌

You can access higher education at any age, no matter what your background or personal circumstances.

We understand you may have childcare demands or worries about money but, as a Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology partner, we’re here to help and advise.

Take that step to a new future and contact us today 👉https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/campus-and-facilities/institute-of-technology

15/11/2024

I am coaching near Scunthorpe on Saturday afternoon if anyone else wants a lesson?

05/11/2024

We hope you had an enjoyable and safe Bonfire Night! 🎆🎇

31/10/2024

🐴 Experienced Freelance Coach, Rider and Groom Available in North Lincolnshire / East Yorkshire 🐴

With a lifelong passion for horses, I have produced and trained my own horses, competed on clients horses and worked for several years in competition yards, livery yards and large commercial riding schools as both a groom, rider and instructor. Used to handling and riding a wide range of horses and ponies, I have extensive experience, as well as with sharp, quirky, and challenging horses.

Competition experience in dressage, showjumping, hunter trials, and eventing. Recently completed a BSC (Hons) Equine Sports Science and Coaching degree, I now also provide rider performance and fitness training programmes.

Services include the following…

🧲 Riding

I am available for schooling, jumping, and development riding, or hacking/fitness. Being a lightweight rider means I can ride both ponies and horses. Please note that I am not offering starting services at this time.

🧲 Lessons

I provide both flat, jump and polework lessons for riders of all ages and ability levels, with a passion for motivating, encouraging, building confidence from a holistic, horse-centred approach. Particularly love working with neurodivergent, differently abled and rainbow riders.

🧲 Rider Performance Fitness Plan

I work with you to create a bespoke fitness and training programme to improve your cardio, core, balance and endurance.

🧲 Grooming

Show prep, trimming, plaiting, tack cleaning, show assistance, travelling groom, and actual full grooming.

🧲 Training

BHS Stage 1 & 2 training including BHS Challenge Awards and BHS Pony Stars Awards.

For more information, please send me a private message or WhatsApp 07731361399.

I provide high-quality services at very reasonable prices, fully insured with reputable qualifications, and first aid trained.

I am based at HU20/DN18, and am willing to travel within a reasonable distance in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Please feel free to share this information with others who might be interested.

31/10/2024

Tomorrow afternoon I graduate 👩‍🎓 with a BSc Degree in Equine Sports Science and Coaching with Honours at Beverley Minster.

25/09/2024

🐴Lincs Horse Live 6th October 2024 at LRAC Kenwick Hill, Louth, Lincs🐴

🩷Demonstrations/presentations🩷

🔸ISAAC ARES RIO (Classical Dressage Coach) - Working to create a balanced horse.

🔸LISA LOVERIDGE Equine Sports and Rehab massage - Rider Alingment

🔸KELLY BROTHERHOOD Intellignet Horsemanship Trainer - Long Reigning

🔸STEPHANIE JAYNE BRUMPTON (SJB Performance Training) - Top tips for improving rider posture, balance and condition

🔹SANDRA MURPHY - Equidiet

🔹JAMES COOLING - Bit and Bridle fit

24/09/2024