The Magic of Letting the Horse Figure It Out

There’s a big difference between correcting a horse and making them aware of something.

Correction is often fast, mechanical, and goal-driven. Awareness is slow, soft, and connection-driven. One might create obedience. The other creates understanding.

In my work, I try to lean into awareness. Instead of rudely correcting “mistakes,” I want to gently shine a light on moments of stickiness, imbalance, or awkward movement—not to punish, but to help the horse feel what’s going on. Because when a horse feels and understands, they start to think. And when they think, they start to own the process.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of “that’s wrong, fix it.” But what if we allowed the horse a moment to explore the options? What if we guided, suggested, framed the situation with clarity and support—and then waited?

Waited for them to find it. To feel it. To offer it.

Because when the horse offers a movement from understanding—when the idea becomes his—the change is profound. It becomes soft. Supple. Coordinated. Effortless. And, often, even more beautiful.

A badly coordinated step might just mean, “I haven’t figured this out yet.” A sticky yield might whisper, “I’m unsure how to organize myself here.” Instead of overriding these moments, we can make space for them. Mark them with awareness, not frustration.

When we do this consistently, the horse begins to move in a thinking frame of mind. They begin to seek harmony, because they’ve felt it. They begin to refine themselves, because they understand what you’re asking and why it feels good to offer it.

And that is what makes the training process not just productive – but harmoniously beautiful.

If this resonates with you, and you’re prioritizing awareness, connection, and truly understanding your horse—not just getting things done—I’d love to invite you to my PIB Clinic at Deanna’s place in early June. Maybe you’re in a place where you want to slow things down to find more meaning, clarity, softness, and connection in your work with horses. Or maybe you’re longing for those quiet aha moments where you and your horse figure things out together.

It’s a chance to dive deeper into this way of being with horses—to observe, explore, and experience how small shifts in awareness can create powerful, lasting changes. You’ll see how softness, thinking, and balance emerge when we take the time to truly listen and allow. There are still spots open—and I’d be so happy to see you there.

📍 The workshop will be held at Deanna Preis Horsemanship / Shade Tree Stables in Freeburg, Illinois (USA).

📧 For more info or to sign up, feel free to contact Deanna directly at theshadetreestable@gmail.com