I’m often asked how I know when the time is right to address certain horse behaviors. It makes me think back to one of my favorite quotes: “Mom will tell you but the horse will teach you.” This episode is all about the horse and the lessons they have to teach. To know when to address a certain behavior it’s always smart to have a plan for your training session. When the horse’s behavior deviates from that plan, that’s when you know it’s time to switch gears. Say you want to head out and do some trail riding, but the horse gets spooked by a wheelbarrow before making it out of the barn. This is the horse telling you what it needs to work on. Once you resolve whatever issue arises you can get back on track with your original plan. Evaluating your horse is critical to understanding what limitations and hardships will arise in training. Look at the end goal you have in mind for the horse, and then start from the very beginning and work your way forward.

​Key Takeaways:

Circumstances can teach you better than being told.

Look at the things you want your horse to be able to do. When horse behaviors interfere with those goals take the time to correct them before moving forward.

Physical limitations may make it hard for your horse to perform in the ways you want it to. Many issues can be overcome with patience and practice, but it makes it easier if your horse is built for the riding goals you have in mind.

Get trainers involved in the buying process. This will help you find a horse that is right for your needs and prevent the frustration of pushing a horse into a specific mold that doesn’t quite fit its physique.

Have the discipline to map out the steps to get your horse to perform to your expectations. Examine and analyze their forward movement, control of forward movement, and stopping of forward movement. The horse will show you how specific your training needs to be in al three of these pillars of riding.

Be tolerant. Most people tolerate bad horse behavior until something goes wrong. Then the trainer overreacts and the horse escalates that reaction.

Examine your horse’s bloodlines and see how the horse is built. This will help tell you if your long term goals are practical and healthy for your horse.

What do you think?

We want to hear your questions, comments, and suggestions. Share them in the comments section below, reach out to us on the Van Hargis Horsemanship Facebook page, or email me! We want your suggestions for topics we can address in future episodes, so if there’s a particular area where you’re struggling, or just curious, let us know!

We’d Love to Have Your Help Spreading the Word

If you enjoy this podcast and think others would like it too, please share it with your friends and consider rating and reviewing Ride Every Stride in iTunes. It helps make the show more visible, so more people can find it, and the feedback lets us know if we’re on the right track. Thank you–your support is so appreciated.

Learn More About My Co-Host

My co-host, Laura McClellan, is a wife, mom to five, and attorney who also hosts The Productive Woman, a podcast about productivity for busy women.  Check it out!

Next Time on Ride Every Stride

We’ll be sharing more practical tips for better horsemanship (and humanship). If you don’t want to miss it, be sure to subscribe in iTunes or on Stitcher.

Thank you for listening. Until next time . . . remember to Ride Every Stride!

Van

Van Hargis Horsemanship