ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛɪᴇs ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴜʀsᴜɪᴛ

On this show, Michael and I explore the reality that even the "good days" require a steady hand and a clear map. We look at why experience—or at least surrounding yourself with those who have it—is the ultimate anchor when navigating the highs and lows of the arena.

• Bridging the Exposure Gap: Michael shares the story of a horse with a naturally "good mind" but zero exposure, and the technical experience required to guide that transition safely.

• The "Catching" Lesson: I share a raw look at my time with my smoky black pony, River. When a friendly horse decides being caught is "not on the menu," I discuss how to take the time it takes to prove the outcome is worth it.

• Pessimism vs. Durability: A breakdown of different personality types in horses (and humans) and how they navigate the "One Mountain" metaphor.

It’s okay for a horse to be a horse. Perfection isn't the goal… evolution is.

• Observe: Watch for the moment your horse shifts from curiosity to a "not today" mindset. What does their physical static look like?

• Remember: Recall a time you felt "pessimistic" about a goal. How did having a map change your durability?

• Compare: Contrast the needs of a "good-minded" horse with no exposure versus a horse with "bad" exposure.

• Adjust: How can you change your cadence today to better tune the signal with your horse?

🏔️ THE FELLOWSHIP: Ready for the scholarly discipline of the path? Choose your own Horsemanship Adventure at the Insider portal.www.horsemanshipinsider.com

📝 THE BLOG: Read my latest reflections on the Horsemanship Love Language and my journey with Novella.https://emmadailyklineblog.com/

🗓️ CATCH UP WITH MICHAEL: See Michael Sparling’s full clinic schedule and availability at:www.michaelsparlinghorsemanship.com

📺 THE WEEKLY SHOW: Join us live every Thursday morning on YouTube for the full archive of Horsemanship Remarks.https://www.youtube.com/@NorthwoodFarms

Good luck and have fun.

In Horsemanship Remarks 257, Michael and I go into the weeds to define the economy of our progress. If every interaction with our horse is a transaction, are you collecting loose change or investing in a legacy?

We follow the trail from the most recent blog post to distinguish between the "Penny Tactics" that get you through the moment and the Million Dollar Skills that carry you all the way from green horse to bridle horse.

Inside this Essential Study:

• The Economy of Skill: Understanding the difference between a "cheap fix" (Penny Tactic) and a foundational investment (Million Dollar Skill).

• The Debit System: Identifying the movements or mindsets that create a "debit" in your connection, costing you more in the long run.

• Trailer Loading as a Diagnostic: Looking at the trailer not as a chore, but as a "Treasure" hunt for yields and relaxation.

• The Source Code: Our approach is grounded in classical principles. To understand the "Source Code" of these movements, we recommend studying the legacy of Hans von Blixen-Finecke.

• Tune in Live: Join us every Thursday morning at 6:30 AM for the live broadcast and community chat on the Northwood Farms YouTube Channel.

• Read the Log: Catch up on the raw journey and latest horsemanship theory at EmmaDailyKlineBlog.com.

• Join the Fellowship: Have you ever thought of horsemanship as a mountain we are all climbing together? If you’re tired of being caught between "Too Vague" and "Too Mechanical," join us at Horsemanship Insider. We bridge the gap with a scholarly, disciplined (and super fun) trail network that turns technical precision into a Grand Adventure.

Updates & Resources:

• Ride with Emma: Find my full personal clinic schedule and registration details directly at HorsemanshipClinics.info.

• Michael’s Clinic Schedule: Michael’s full teaching schedule is available on the YouTube Community Tab.

• Study the History: Learn more about the influence of Hans von Blixen-Finecke.

Choose Your Own Horsemanship Adventure:

Is there any topic that keeps on giving quite like the hindquarter yield? In episode #256, Michael and I (and our wonderful regular crew in the chat) get right into the weeds on the different ways we "show" a horse the yield. It’s a foundational move we use every day, yet there is always another layer to peel back when it comes to timing, feel, and the purpose behind the movement.

What we're talking about today:

• The "Why" vs. the "How": Moving feet vs. reaching with a purpose.

• The Rectangle: How to keep your horse from falling out of the front outside corner.

• Refining the Cue: How the "life" in your body changes the horse's response.

This show always feels like a weekly coffee chat with friends. If you're new here, pull up a chair and join the conversation—we’d love to have you in the mix!

• Tune in Live: Join us every Thursday morning at 6:30 AM for the live broadcast and community chat on the Northwood Farms YouTube Channel.

• Read the Log: Catch up on my personal horsemanship blog, where I document the raw journey and "evolve out loud" at EmmaDailyKlineBlog.com.

• Join the Fellowship: Have you ever thought of horsemanship as a mountain we are all climbing together? If you’re tired of being caught between "Too Vague" and "Too Mechanical," join us at Horsemanship Insider. We bridge the gap with a scholarly, disciplined (and super fun) trail network that turns technical precision into a Grand Adventure.

Updates & Resources:

• Ride with Emma: You can find my full personal clinic schedule and registration details directly at HorsemanshipClinics.info.

• Michael’s Clinic Schedule: I’ve shared Michael’s full teaching schedule (the PDFs from his assistant) on the YouTube Community Tab.

Whether you're starting a colt or refining a finished horse, there’s something here to set your mind on fire.

#Horsemanship #HorsemanshipRemarks #EmmaDailyKline #MichaelSparling #NorthwoodFarms #HorseTraining #BuckBrannaman #MindOnFire #ThePursuit

In Episode #255, Michael and I explore the "Loops and Lily Pads" theme, looking at how we find our rhythm when things get heavy. Michael shares a surprisingly excellent (haha) analogy about guiding the horse into the "rectangle" using the outside loop, along with some humorous (and very relatable) updates on his journey with Rooster, his off-the-track Thoroughbred.

We also discuss that "breakthrough moment"—the words we use to describe that feeling when we finally make it through the hard stuff to the other side as a team with our horses.

In this episode:

• The Outside Leg (Michael’s technique for finding the rectangle)

• Life with Rooster (Humorous insights into working with a sensitive OTTB flagging colts)

• Lily Pads (How we use those "lily pads" to find our flow and the bumps along the way)

• The Breakthrough (Community reflections on the words that define our progress with our horses)

Resources & Links:

• Read the Blog: Catch up on the "Lily Pad Strategy" and how to calm an anxious horse at emmadailyklineblog.com.

• Horsemanship Insider Portal: New this week is the "Loops and Lily Pads" audio note (includes a downloadable study guide!).

• See the Visuals: If you want to see the video version of these discussions and join our live "coffee chat" community, come find us on the Northwood Farms YouTube channel.

• Michael’s Schedule: I’ve also posted Michael’s upcoming clinic schedule on the YouTube Community Tab—if you’re anywhere near his farm in Wisconsin, you should definitely go see him!

#Horsemanship #NorthwoodFarms #horsemanshipRemarks #wildhorsetraining

Episode Description

We often think of Liberty training as "play" or "tricks"—but what if it’s actually your best diagnostic for safety?

In Episode #254, Michael and I (along with our live chat community) look at why "connection" without boundaries is a recipe for disaster. I share a recent scary experience leading a strange horse that reminded me why the basics of Liberty are non-negotiable—whether the rope is on or off. If your horse crowds you, bumps you, or thinks the "sweet spot" is right on top of you, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:

• The "Strange Horse" Story (How a simple leading session turned sketchy and highlighted the need for a safety bubble)

• The 3 Safety Non-Negotiables:

  1. Move Off (Respecting personal space)

  2. Yield the Hindquarters (The emergency brake)

  3. Square Up (Finding balance on all four feet)

• The "Challenge" Danger Zone (Why injuries are often "front-loaded" when we start new programs and how to avoid them)

• Mind vs. Body (Balancing your intellectual understanding with your physical timing—featuring my own learning curve with Novella!)

Resources & Links:

• Read the Blog: Get the full story on Liberty and safety in the post "Are You Safe?" at emmadailyklineblog.com.

• Watch the Demos: Want to see "Draw" and "Hooking On" in action?

  • Student Members: Log in to horsemanshipinsider.com to watch the full library.

    
    

  • Community Members: Check out the Revlon video for a real-life example of the "stick to me" work.

• Michael’s Schedule: Don't forget to check the Community Tab here on YouTube for Michael’s 2026 clinic dates (the PDFs include his upcoming Wisconsin home dates!).

Join the Conversation:Did you have a "safety check" moment this week? Pull up a chair and let us know in the comments—this is a weekly coffee chat, and we love hearing from you!

#HorsemanshipRemarks #LibertyHorsemanship #HorseSafety #NorthwoodFarms #Groundwork #WildHorseTraining #MindOnFire

Ep 248: Wild Mustang Mule Emergency ("Flower") & The Truth About Groundwork Checklists

It’s a high-stakes week at Northwood Farms.

In this episode, I give a critical update on Flower, the wild mustang I am currently gentling. She is growing into her BLM neck tag, and we are officially on a deadline. I share the reality of trying to remove a tag from a wild horse without a chute, and why I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

Then, Michael and I break down the "Level 1" Groundwork Checklist:

• Steady Pressure vs. Rhythmic Pressure: We debate the difference, why they both start from "Feel," and why you might be missing the energy before the touch.

• The "Buck Brannaman" Standard: Why we use lists to find holes in our training, but why chasing a checklist can be "anti-value" if you sacrifice quality.

• Horsemanship Mindset: Why do we rush? We discuss how our identity as "competent riders" often gets in the way of actual learning.

Also in this episode:

• My recent injuries (Broken collarbone & cut finger) and what they taught me.

• Flying Changes vs. "Slip Changes" (and how to tell the difference).

• The difference between training a Mule vs. a Horse.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Level 1 Groundwork Checklist (Message me on Facebook if you want to see it!)

  
  

  Connect with Emma:

  • Website: EmmaDailyKline.com

  • Read the Blog: EmmaDailyKlineBlog.com

  • Join the Membership: HorsemanshipInsider.com

  • Follow on Facebook: Northwood Farms

  • Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolution_0f_a_girl/

I wanted Michael to talk this week to make up for the week before! He had some interesting reports from teaching in regards to hooking on.

Tune in live weekly at 6:30AM PST/8:30 CT on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Northwood Farms YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠. Bring your thoughts and questions to the chat! To join our close nit student body go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠horsemanshipinsider.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠➡️ FREE Micro Riding Course ⁠⁠⁠ ⬅️

I had kind of the Magic moment with Rook. Suddenly we realized we were having much more intricate discussions. I also have been using the idea of her coming into my loop in our groundwork.

I talked much of this episode because I was so excited about it all. If you're not into it, skip this one.

Tune in live weekly at 6:30AM PST/8:30 CT on the ⁠⁠⁠Northwood Farms YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠. Bring your thoughts and questions to the chat! To join our close nit student body go to ⁠⁠⁠horsemanshipinsider.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠➡️ FREE Micro Riding Course ⁠⁠ ⬅️