When Your Horse Doesn’t Get the Message – Why Understanding Feedback Comes Before Redirection

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don’t change. We offer a cue—nothing happens. We ask again—still unclear. We start wondering: Is my horse being resistant… or does she simply not understand?

The answer often lies in the foundation: before we can redirect a horse, they first need to understand the feedback we’re offering.

Feedback vs. Redirection

In horse training, feedback isn’t just something we give after a cue – it’s part of a living dialogue. It’s our answer to the horse’s answer.

When we ask the horse something—a step forward, a yield, a transition—the horse offers a response. And it’s in this moment that our feedback becomes essential. It tells the horse:

• Yes, that’s it—keep going!

• Almost, try a little differently,

• or Let’s pause and reset.

  
  

Redirection, then, only makes sense after this mutual understanding is established. It’s not about telling the horse they're wrong—it’s about being a sign post and showing them a better path once they’re tuned in to what we're asking. Especially in the moments where we say Almost, try a little differently or Let’s pause and reset, we’re identifying space for refinement—moments where better understanding, coordination, or clarity can still grow. Redirection becomes the gentle guide toward those more balanced answers.

If the feedback isn't understood—or if it comes too soon, too late, or too loud—it can cause confusion or even shutdown depending on the situation and the horse's mental state. That’s why clarity and timing matter so much in this two-way conversation.

And just as important is positive reinforcement when the horse gets it right. A clear "Yes, that's it!" followed by a release, a reward, or a relaxing moment can significantly help the horse understand and repeat the correct response. These moments build trust and solidify learning by affirming that the horse is on the right path.

A Practical Example

Think of a young or tense horse who speeds up in response to a half-halt. You might repeat the half-halt, thinking they’re ignoring it—but what if they’re trying to answer a different question?

Before any redirection makes sense, we need to take a step back and ensure the feedback lands clearly.

One powerful way to support this clarity is by teaching the concept of a half-halt already on the ground—in work in hand or through simple rein conversations during groundwork. By practicing softening, yielding, or simply following a feel on the rein while standing still or walking in hand, we lay the foundation for what this signal means.

Later, in the saddle, the horse can recognize the same idea through the reins and body language and start adapting to it. If we establish this shared understanding early, the transition to riding becomes much more fluent—and moments of miscommunication can be gently redirected, rather than reinforced.

And redirection doesn’t need to mean applying more pressure. Sometimes, clarity comes from changing the explanation: using a neck rope to guide the shoulders or shifting weight, gently pointing a whip in front of the chest, or using your posture in a clearer way to frame the movement. These alternatives can be used both from the ground and the saddle and often help the horse understand the desired answer without escalation—just a different angle of communication.

Clarity First: A Simple Flow

1. Offer feedback – This could be a subtle shift in your seat, a breath of energy, a gentle rein, a voice cue, or even a change in posture. You’re opening the conversation.

2. Pause to observe – Watch how your horse responds. Did they soften? Shift their weight? Slow their rhythm? Or maybe they simply showed a moment of understanding that they’re on the right path?

3. Reward the try – Acknowledge even the smallest effort or thoughtful moment. Whether it's a visible step or just an intention, that’s the raw material of learning. Praise it. Release. Breathe. And repeat.

4. Only then – Once you’ve seen the beginning of understanding, you can repeat or refine your question. Now you're building, not just repeating.

   
   

This prevents confusion and fosters a safe, thinking, confident horse.

Red Flags: When Feedback Isn’t Understood

• You find yourself repeating cues with no change

• The horse shows tension, speeds up, or shuts down

• You start guiding more and more until it feels like micromanaging

  
  

These are signs to pause and check: Was the first answer even understood? And if you notice you're always redirecting the same thing, it might be time to revisit your communication strategy. This ties closely to another reflection: If you’re always redirecting the same thing… — a topic I explored more deeply in this blog post. Perhaps something in the foundation is missing—be it understanding, coordination, or motivation. It's a powerful signpost that something needs to be rebuilt or explained differently.

Why This Matters

Creating a safe space for learning means the horse feels mentally and emotionally free to explore new answers without fear of punishment or overwhelm. This openness is the foundation for any meaningful progress.

It helps build confidence and trust—both in us and in the horse's own ability to find the right solution. When a horse knows that their tries will be noticed and appreciated, they become more willing to offer them.

It encourages mental engagement, where the horse is not just reacting to pressure but actively participating in the conversation. The horse starts to think with us, rather than simply moving away from aids or responding to pressure.

It also reduces pressure and improves communication. When feedback is clear and timely, we need less repetition, less escalation, and can rely more on softness. This creates a space for subtlety, mutual understanding, and relaxed activity.

A horse who understands your feedback becomes a partner in the learning process. And that’s where true growth happens.

Try It This Week

Choose one aid or cue—maybe a seat shift or an energetic rebalancing gesture on the ground—and slow everything down. Offer it once, pause, and wait. Watch. Reward the smallest try.

You might be surprised how much your horse shows you when given the space to respond.

Looking Ahead

The more we understand how our feedback is received, the better we can shape our shared language. In the next blog post, we’ll explore how to focus less on fixing what’s wrong—and more on shaping what you want. This ties in naturally with today’s topic and continues the journey of building understanding, motivation, and coordination through clarity and positive guidance.

Want to Go Deeper?

If this resonated with you and you’d like to dive further into the world of thoughtful, biomechanically sound, and horse-centered training, you’re warmly invited to download my free e-book:“The Art of Shaping Balance – A Gentle Introduction to the PIB Approach.”It’s a great place to start understanding the foundational ideas behind the Pferde in Balance philosophy.👉 Download the free e-book here

You can also join the PIB journey with my Basic Light Membership – just €19/month and you can cancel anytime, with no minimum commitment. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of the monthly themes, review classes, and educational materials, all designed to help you and your horse grow together at your own pace.

👉 Find out more about PIB Basic Light here

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