Jason Irwin: The Journey of a Horse Trainer

In this episode, Paula Curtis talks with renowned horseman Jason Irwin about the evolution of his horsemanship journey—from learning hands-on skills from ranchers to developing the soft, feel-based approach he’s known for today. Jason shares how real-world experience shaped his understanding of horses and why developing feel, timing, and observation is at the heart of every good partnership. Together they explore the balance between groundwork and riding, the importance of setting small, achievable goals, and how Liberty work sharpens communication and trust. From managing bucking to finding the right horse-rider match, this conversation is a treasure trove of practical wisdom for riders at every level—reminding us that good horsemanship is less about doing more and more about listening, learning, and refining together with the horse. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 | Introduction to North Star Livestock 07:27 | The Evolution of Training Methods 12:28 | Preparing Riders for Returning to Horses 19:26 | Setting Goals and Benchmarks in Horsemanship 25:06 | The Role of Clinics in Horse Training 32:06 | The Art of Horsemanship 39:17 | Groundwork vs. Riding: Finding Balance 46:58 | Understanding the Transition from Groundwork to Riding 52:43 | Recognizing Readiness in Horse Training 01:00:36 | Dealing with Bucking: Techniques and Strategies 01:10:45 | Building a Foundation Through Experience 01:16:02 | Finding the Right Match 01:20:47 | The Value of Clinics and Training 01:25:15 | The Journey of Horsemanship 01:32:05 | Podcast Outro + Music Resources ☆ Get a Free Ticket To The Online Horse Fair --> https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/free-ticket ☆ Access All Horse Fair Presentations In Our Membership --> https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/membership ☆ Visit Our Merch Store --> https://shop.artofthehorseman.com/ ☆ Follow Us On Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/ArtofTheHorseman ☆ Follow Us On YouTube --> https://www.youtube.com/@ArtoftheHorseman ☆ Follow Us On Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/artofthehorseman