Have you ever noticed how much your mental and emotional state influences your horse? When we're stressed, overwhelmed, or impatient, it's easy to become louder, quicker to solve things technically, or even contradictory in our cues. This can lead to a negative spiral: the horse reacts to our imbalance, and we misinterpret their response as resistance or a problem to fix.
But the truth is, the horse is never the problem. The horse is simply reflecting back to us. Their reactions are honest feedback about the clarity—or lack thereof—of our energy, body language, and aids. If we lack mental and emotional balance, we risk being unclear, imprecise, contradictory, or even unconsciously negative. This hinders the horse from relaxing, trusting, and truly listening.
It’s important to notice these moments. Everyone experiences them—at least I do for sure. The key is to pause, breathe, and reset. Instead of pushing through frustration, ask yourself:
Am I being clear in my communication?
Is my energy calm, fair, and inviting?
Could I be projecting my own tension onto the situation?
Horses thrive when we approach them with patience, kindness, and consistency. Take a moment to ground yourself. Relax your body. Reset your intention. Stay fair, friendly, and loving in your approach, even when things feel challenging.
Your horse is always ready to respond—when you’re ready to truly listen. Let’s aim to be the partner they need: balanced, present, and inviting, so we can guide them with clarity and trust.
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