Sometimes we can feel stuck between the effortlessness of our old habits and the knowledge of how we can be wiser, more classical horsemen. This post is meant to validate sentiments I’ve seen in many students, friends, colleagues, and in myself, while also offering a different way to look at horsemanship and training that honors where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we’d like to go.

In May, I had the opportunity to watch Nahshon Cook train a herd of horses in Wisconsin. Nahshon is one of my greatest teachers, guiding me to change my life and my horsehumanship, as he calls it, for the better each time I see him. Watching this group of 9 horses and talking to Nahshon about them prompted deep ruminations about rehabilitation, classical dressage, and the processing of pain and fear. These horses defied all odds and expectations of previous professionals, not only in their ability to heal from deep physical and emotional traumas, but also surpassed the level and quality of dressage training that I have ever seen with my own eyes in person. These horses were joyful, sound, athletic, and so very wise. I’m currently gathering a group to go see them and Nahshon again in 2026.