Ep 249: Reading Your Horse
When it comes to horsemanship, the importance of a solid foundation cannot be overstated. I’ve been working with horses for a long time, and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that speed, while necessary, can unravel everything you’ve built with a horse if that foundation isn’t there to support it. Speed is like the Achilles' heel of horsemanship. We breed for it, we need it, but it also makes things a lot more challenging when it comes to control.
Take last night, for example. I was watching the short round of the Dodge City rodeo, where some of the most elite horses, riders, and trainers were competing. Yet, even among the best, you could see the wheels coming off for some horses. Speed is hard on them mentally because it triggers their primary self-preservation mechanism: flight. When that kicks in, it becomes difficult to keep everything together.
There’s no quick fix for these challenges; there’s only management. You can’t do something once and expect it to be a permanent solution, especially with horses. Every day presents a new challenge, and that’s why the concept of foundation horsemanship—communication and leadership—is so crucial. It’s not just about training a horse to do a particular task; it’s about reading your horse and understanding what they’re telling you.
Speaking of reading your horse, I got a great question from one of our listeners, Abby. She’s working with a two-year-old who refuses to canter in the round pen unless there’s another horse present. She’s worried that if the horse won’t canter on the ground, it won’t canter under saddle either.
First off, Abby, thanks for reaching out. When I hear questions like this, I always want to address them because if you’re facing this challenge, chances are many others are as well. Now, I’ve run into this issue a lot over the years, and it boils down to the horse’s anxiety and lack of trust. When a horse freezes up like that, it’s their self-preservation kicking in. Instead of fighting or running, they just freeze. This is where good communication and leadership come into play.
To help a horse like this, the first thing you need to do is understand that they’re freezing up because they’re scared or insecure. It’s your job to build that trust. Just like with Reba, one of my horses, who wasn’t quite herself the other morning. Instead of just putting a halter on her and moving on, I took the time to read her. She was leaning away from me, ready to bolt if she had to. So, I stepped back, gave her some space, and waited for her to relax. It took a few minutes, but eventually, she dropped her head, relaxed her jaw, and even stepped toward me. Those few extra minutes made all the difference in how she responded to me for the rest of the day.
The same principle applies to Abby’s situation. If your horse is only cantering with another horse in the round pen, that’s perfectly okay. Use that helper horse to build confidence. Horses are herd animals, after all, and they find comfort in numbers. Keep working with the helper horse until the habit of moving out is well-established. Eventually, you’ll be able to take the helper horse away, and your horse will still move out on their own.
And when it comes time to get on that horse, don’t hesitate to use the helper horse again. When I start colts, I always ride behind someone on another horse. I just want my colt to move, to get comfortable with the idea. The helper horse plays a crucial role in that process, helping the young horse feel secure and confident.
In horsemanship, there’s no one-size-fits-all template. Every day, every horse, every situation is different. That’s why it’s so important to read your horse, to understand what they’re telling you. And not just on the big days, but every day. Consistency in how you approach your horse will carry over into the moments that matter most. So, Abby, keep doing what you’re doing, and remember, sometimes the best progress is made by taking a step back and giving your horse the time they need to build that trust.
