Make Every Moment Count: Getting More from Your Limited Time with Your Horse

 

If you have limited time with your horse, the goal isn’t to cram in everything at once, it’s to use your time intentionally, with clarity, and an emotional neutrality. Below are some reminders to make the most out of time with the horse.

Be mentally present, not just physically with the horse.

A person’s mindset strongly influences how the horse responds.

Before you approach your horse, pause, take a few deep breaths, notice how your body feels, notice any tension or distraction carried in from your day.

Choose breaking down one objective into smaller segments for the session (e.g., “grooming the horse”- hoping the horse will relax  or be calm versus checking in, addressing any tension or a brace, helping the horse work through it, then continuing to groom rather focusing solely on how it may make the human feel without considering what the horse is experiencing.

Quality > Quantity The typical “hurried human” interaction consists of a chaotic or passive interaction of many mixed cues, leading to unwanted equine behavior. Think of the interaction as an Opportunity for a Conversation with your horse. One clear request, assess the horse’s response, address the horse’s counteroffers, follow through until he can let “it” go and become available to your communication.

Mentally connect groundwork to riding- even if you’re not riding. The quality of the groundwork influences the future ride quality- whether it is tomorrow or, next week, or next month. Everything you would ask your horse to do when ridden can be asked from the ground.

Questions to consider assessing the quality and effectiveness of the communication:

Are you clear on how and what you ask of your horse?

Do you separate directing his thought from his movement?

Can you influence various energy levels in his gaits?

If he offers an unasked-for response, how easily can he “let it go?”

Do you get flustered, frustrated, or emotionally triggered if he doesn’t respond as you would like?

What do you do if he offers unwanted behavior?

How often do you follow through (without using escalating fear tactics) to help the horse work through his anticipation, fear, defensiveness, brace, tension, avoidance, etc.

End on a positive note- FOR the HORSE

Give yourself (and the horse) time to mentally process, let down, and “be” in the moment.

After the Session- Take a moment to reflect:

What did we do well today?

How can I help my horse be successful in what I ask of him?

The intention to observe, assess, and acknowledge helps raise self-awareness and develop the skills needed to build the partnership.