08/18/2026
What’s the hardest part of training?
It’s not the time, it’s not the work.
It’s listening!! Listening to the horse is the hardest part of training because let’s face it some horses just don’t fit into the mold we humans have created for them.
Some horses need more than 30,60,90 days to process and learn.
Some horses catch on immediately and learn so much more in the small frames we put them in.
Some horses take more time to trust someone new.
Some horses immediately trust whoever holds the lead rope.
Some horses are so insecure in themselves their own shadow scares them.
While others you could set a bomb off under their feet and not get a reaction.
Some horses are immediately defensive and have a wall so high it takes 20 days to climb
Where others really need to learn to think for themselves.
Training horses is amazing, the personalities and dispositions are honestly all over the map, it keeps us on our toes and constantly learning how to adjust our energies and approach a lesson differently.
The old saying goes “there is more than one way to skin a cat” and that statement is so true in the horse training world.
There is more than one way to train a horse. As trainers it’s our job to be open and searching for those ways.
I’ve been told I need to push the horses more that come into my training programs. The reality is I’m already pushing them as much as they are able to handle at the current time.
The horses well being and trainability will always take priority in my programs. I know how fast you can turn a horse sour or lose their trust.
I know because I have done it. I have hands on, face in the dirt, hoof to the leg, I believe I can fly moments in my life where I pushed to hard and didn’t listen.
The responsibility my clients give me to start their horses is the most important part in a horses career. I set the foundation to how they carry on in life after they have been with me. My training sets the foundation to their success or failure in the future and I take that very seriously.
It probably makes me a horrible business person but I’d rather be a horrible business person that can set horses up for success than a great business person who doesn’t care about the horses future.
I tell all my clients and future clients this is my program - these are the guidelines of what we accomplish within 30-60-90 days. But they are guidelines alone because ultimately the horse sets the pace.
Being able to listen to the horses in my program and slow things down or speed things up as they need is where my programs work.
I’m still learning - I will always been learning. And I will forever be grateful for the opportunities, experiences and moments I’m blessed with when it comes to training and working with horses.
