Training Tip: Drop the Excuses

Horses are phenomenal people trainers. They train us to do the goofiest things in the world. People make up the most ridiculous excuses for all the things their horses have trained them to do. They’ll say, “I can’t ride with you because my horse doesn’t like your horse.” Or, “I can’t go on this trail because at the end of it there’s a big ditch and my horse spooks at ditches.” Or, “I can’t use this halter because my horse doesn’t like this color.” Or, they come up with something equally silly. Usually, our excuses exist because of our horse’s lack of respect toward us. We have to learn to stop making excuses for why our horses don’t listen to us. It’s simple: Our horses don’t listen because we haven’t gained their trust and respect. It all starts with you. You must be willing to change and put in the effort necessary to get a responsive, safe horse. If you don’t follow through, I can guarantee that all the wishes and hopes you have for a well-trained, responsive horse will be for nothing.