08/07/2025
Don't mistake an obedient horse for a confident one.
My business has been built on creating confident horses. From c**t starting to tune-ups to problem-solving, I have seen a lot of insecure horses. One thing that has been coming up a lot recently for me is that an obedient horse does not equal a secure and confident horse. Obedience can be a mask for insecurity.
I have had multiple horses in training over the years that will be obedient to the best of their ability, but they have no confidence in what to do when they aren't being held together by a human. They have not been taught to think for themselves. They have been taught to rush into movement as quick as they can for fear of being repremanded for being too slow. Urgency came before learning for many of these horses. These horses tend to be disorganized, racey, stiff, bracey, and spooky. Their first instinct when they are asked something is a rushed, "Yes ma'am! What can I do ma'am?!" When I ask for movement it feels sudden and jerky.
What I want from a horse is not to be quick on the draw, it is to be in-tune and fluid, like a dance. I don't want it to feel like, I ask and then you go. I want it to feel like we are going together, in sync, in synergy.
What I have been doing recently with a horse in training who is very obedient, yet very insecure, is to do the following:
1) Ask slower and softer
2) Release on relaxation, not obedience
3) Empower him with new ways to move his body that feel good
4) Not punish the wrong answer
5) Wait for him to learn, not react.
By doing these things, this horse is learning to trust me, he is learning to trust his own body and mind, and he is learning to dance. And what a lovely dance partner he is. ❤️
If you want your horse to learn how to be confident, reach out to me for lessons, clinics, or full time training.
