Well Texas is off her meds again. We are getting another 40 degree temperature swing with windchills making it feel like a 55-60 degree temperature change. It is extremely hard on the horses to adjust from 78 to feels like 18 in less than 12hrs. It takes three weeks plus for horses to adjust to new climates. We are swapping climates in a few hours once or twice a week right now. Some horses are even shedding.

Horse’s revert to their owner/handler’s experience and expectation. Horses don’t stay trained forever if the training and expectations are not consistent. every interaction teaches them something…good or bad. If we get sloppy in our training and handling of the horses the horses revert to the level of what is being expected. If we start letting them walk us soon they will be dragging us because we lowered our expectations. Every interaction with the horse teaches them about o

If you don’t show up to practice don’t expect your horse to. It is important to remember that our horses did not sign up to compete or help us reach our goals. They were voluntold that participation was a requirement in the relationship. The horse isn’t going to practice on its own. So if you don’t show up to practice, put in the effort, the time, the miles don’t complain when your horse doesn’t perform as expected. If you have a different set of expectations at home than you

Half way releasing is not releasing. It’s micromanagement disguised as a release. It’s saying here is the information but I don’t trust you to make the right decision with it, so I’ll just make sure you do. It’s the same as riding your clutch or brake.

Forward and faster as not the same

Quality baby steps will conquer mountains in time. Quantity steps without quality will dump you into ravines that you have to climb out of on your way to the top of the mountain. Fewer mistakes are made with smaller steps. Quantity is only good if it’s quality at the horse’s pace. If in doubt, slow it down. Rushing only gets you to the wrong place faster.

Support the horse from the hoof up. Learn about the horse from the inside out. Ride the horse from the hind leg forward.

More thoughts on …. F.E.A.R.

A hard truth….

It takes more time and more money to repair what’s broken than to maintain what is functioning.

Go back to the last thing your horse was executing successfully.

You don’t have to canter every ride. Your horse won’t forget how.

what is your horse saying about you?

Not one time did your horse wake up and say, “I can‘t wait to pack 10-15% of my body weight.”

They are responding to the influence and information they are receiving based on their preprogrammed instincts.

Your horse can only respond to the influences and information it is receiving from the rider and environment. Your job is to be a leader the horse looks to when the environment is overwhelming.

Have compassion. Have confidence. Have a positive mental attitude. Leave the negativity out of the saddle.

Before you get in the saddle, focus on the positives you last wrote down.

Body work is not optional. That’s true for you and your horse.

Enlist professionals to help you find the source of the reactiveness. Your horse will thank you.