Josh Nichol Horsemanship

06/03/2026

My good friends Dr. Stephen Peters, Mark Rashid, and Crissi McDonald have come together to write a book that I believe is going to shift how many of us understand our horses, A Horse's Life: The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare.

I was honored to be asked my thoughts on the book, but more than that, I'm grateful to see this work out in the world.

This isn't a training manual. It's a deeper look into why horses respond the way they do, connecting the dots between the horse's brain, their nervous system, and the behaviors we experience every day. Whether that's tension, resistance, or reactivity, it addresses it in a way that's practical and grounded, not complicated.

What stands out to me is how clearly it reinforces something we talk about often: so many of the challenges we face with horses aren't about unwillingness. They're about what the horse is experiencing internally.

This book helps bring that into focus.

If you've ever felt like you were missing a piece in understanding your horse, this is worth exploring. Proud of these three for the work they've put into this!

06/01/2026

People have been asking… how is this course different from the membership?

Great question.

The membership gives you ongoing support, exercises, and real-life situations to learn from.

This course is different.

It’s a deeper, more focused look at Mind, Space, and Pressure and why understanding these three pillars changes everything in your horsemanship.

We don’t just talk about them…
We help you recognize them in real time.

What does it look like when your horse is struggling in their mind?
When our spatial interaction becomes unclear, I lose trust in your leadership?
When pressure turns into anxiety, I need help understanding how to stay connected?

This course goes deeper into the why, with clear examples so you can stop guessing and start understanding.

Because once you can recognize it… You can respond differently.

Head to the website for more information!

05/31/2026

This month, we’re focused on improving the quality of your transitions by shifting your attention from simply getting the gait to refining how your horse feels through it. Rather than pushing for movement, you’ll learn how preparation, softness, and timing create transitions that are relaxed, connected, and responsive.

You’ll explore how tension develops, how your feel influences your horse’s ability to stay soft, and how to release in a way that truly supports relaxation instead of just rewarding the change in gait.

As the weeks build, you’ll develop a horse that can stay organized through transitions, respond with lightness, and move with greater consistency and confidence from start to finish.

05/29/2026

Most people try to fix what the horse is doing.
They focus on the behavior…
the reaction…
the moment it goes wrong.
But what if the behavior isn’t the problem?
What if it’s simply showing you that your horse feels unsure, disconnected, or overwhelmed in that moment?
When you begin to understand the mind, the space, and how pressure is affecting them…
you stop reacting and start helping.
That’s exactly what I walk through in this course.

You can explore it here: https://members.joshnichol.com/buy-why-your-horse-struggles-course/

05/28/2026

Sometimes the smallest shifts change everything — in your horse, and in yourself.

The June Newsletter is out!

Inside this issue:
• How to help your horse move from reaction to reliability under pressure
• June’s Challenge Series: building softness, regulation, and confidence
• Week-by-week guidance to create a horse that can think, not just react
• This month’s featured videos and live Q&A webinar

This month’s focus is simplebut not easy:
Not removing pressure, but teaching your horse how to handle it.

Each week builds toward a horse that can stay present, process what’s happening, and respond with softness instead of tension.

If you're on the email list, check your inbox.

Not on the list yet? Head to Joshnichol.com to sign up for future newsletters.

05/21/2026

Your horse isn’t struggling with the task… They’re struggling with how it feels.

What looks like resistance, reactivity, or disconnection
is often something deeper, something we don’t always see at first.

There’s a reason your horse changes in new environments.
There’s a reason pressure creates tension instead of softness.

And when you begin to understand how mind, space, and pressure shape their experience… everything starts to shift.

Next week, I’m releasing something that will help you see what’s really going on and how to respond in a way your horse can finally understand.

More coming soon.

05/20/2026

What an incredible experience at the Elite Horsemanship Summit!

When I first got the invite, I was excited but when I found out who else was at the table? I knew this was going to be something truly special.

Getting to share space with Jonathan Field, Warwick Schiller, and Tik Maynard — three absolute legends who are out here doing the real work for horses AND their people, was just the chef's kiss. You know the saying: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. These fellas would absolutely be in my five. Authentic, driven, kicking ass in their own ways but always with good horsemanship and adventurous living at the center of it all.

For two hours we swapped stories, asked big questions, and built on each other's ideas in the best way. Jonathan shared a story about finding a deeper connection with his horse while out on a job, a exciting and real moment that reminded me why we do this. Warwick, talking in Warwick talking, as he does, dropped this one, "We don't find balance, we are just balancing." That reframe was awesome, balance isn't a destination, it's a living, breathing process. And Tik's approach to seeking the Middle Ground in both life and training, a balance we need more of in a polarized industry.

The conversation flew by, and I walked away inspired, refreshed, and honestly a little smarter.

I also had a great moment connecting with the team at the Mad Barn booth, good people doing cool things, and exactly the kind of energy this community runs on. Bonus: getting to meet students from all across the country was the cherry on top!

Huge shoutout to Horse Expo Canada for putting together such an amazing event. I can't wait to do it again!

05/11/2026

05/07/2026

We’re proud to welcome Levi Hunter as our second sponsor, a young man who truly represents the roots and future of the Western lifestyle. Levi has grown up on the back of a horse, with a family history deeply grounded in cowboy traditions. As a fifth-generation cowboy, his way of life reflects a legacy of hard work, dedication, and respect for the horse.

In the rodeo arena, Levi competes in both roping events calf roping and team roping with calf roping standing as his main focus. Outside of competition, he spends his time ranching and training rope horses, continuing to build both his skill and understanding through hands-on experience.
Levi has already seen impressive success in the arena. In 2025, he rose to the top of the Alberta High School Rodeo Association, earning the Provincial Championship in Calf Roping. Alongside that, he has found success in the LRA and FCA Amateur rodeo associations and continues to prove himself as a consistent money earner in rope horse futurities.

Looking ahead to 2026, Levi plans to finish out his final Grade 12 season with the Alberta High School Rodeo Association while stepping further into both Amateur and Pro Rodeo Associations.

We’re excited to support Levi as he continues to grow, and we value the work ethic, horsemanship, and commitment he brings to everything he does.


Levi Hunter

05/05/2026

I want to share something new I’ll be stepping into this year.

I’ll be participating in the Heart of the Horse C**t Starting Challenge.
In the past, I’ve chosen not to take part in c**t starting competitions, as I’ve always prioritized giving a young horse the time and space I believe they need in the starting process. That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is the opportunity.

I want to thank Niki Fl***ra for the invitation, and for the intention behind how this event is structured. It’s clear she’s working to support the horse industry in a way that encourages thoughtful horsemanship.
I’m genuinely interested to explore how my approach can contribute in this kind of environment.
My focus will be simple:
To set the stage for this young horse in a way that honors their needs, while staying true to the principles I believe in.

I’m looking forward to sharing the journey with you.

**t