The one thing you’ll hear me say over and over again, is let it go! Set your horse up to do something and then let ‘em at it. You learn the most from when things go wrong, and if you’re afraid for things to go astray you’re actually holding yourself back. In today’s episode I’ll be going over some ways in which you can help yourself find the courage to let go. If the horse does great, give them a hug and enjoy the moment. If the horse doesn’t do what you want, adjust, set up, and try again. This will lead to longer moments of enjoyment with your horse. But first you have to set things up, and then let go. You don't want to do the opposite and bug your horse all the time for a behavior. For instance, I have a client that is so concerned their horse won’t look pretty or travel right. They always hold the horse and micromanage their behavior. The issue here is similar to the analogy of the preacher’s kid. This is where the preacher’s kid can’t do this or can’t do that, but once they grow up and hit college they become the wildest kid on campus. It’s because they haven’t had real freedom and hold themselves accountable. Ask yourself if you are the one applying restraint to the point your horse isn’t learning properly. Dare them to be good.

Don’t dare your horse to be bad and be waiting to correct their mistake. You want to give them the best chance to make the right choice and stay positive about the choice they make, even if it’s the wrong one. Training is a team job: you and your horse. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing that you’ll do your job and your team member will do theirs. But you’ll never feel this if you don’t let go and give them a chance.

If you expect a mistake you’re going to be looking for that and miss the positive things they’re doing. When you set things up and let them go you have the time to stay positive and enjoy your time with your horse instead of waiting to discipline them.