10/14/2026
Expect the Unexpected
Recently ish I had a random video from a year ago that I posted as a reel, go “viral” (🤢).
There was a plethora of comments, and it reminds me that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. But anyway, a trend amongst comments can be summed up as “what if…” followed by xyz possibilities of something going “wrong”.
Almost as if these people think that we cannot be adaptable. In your everyday life you should be adaptable and prepared but there are places where it is most important and maybe those people just have a better grasp on it’s possibilities. For example paramedics, ER staff, surgeons, police, firefighters, and also… horse trainers.
There are so many what if’s or things that can go wrong in these lines of work. Things that put someone’s life in danger. But that is why you want someone who’s mentally sound and knowledgeable in what they are doing.
The pictured falling dismount onto my feet is not just by happenstance. Though I feel very lucky that it worked out and blessed to be mostly unharmed (I sprained the crap out of my ankle). That “dismount” was calculated. I have been riding a LONG time. I have fallen or bailed off of many-a horses. This mare basically juked me, we were RUNNING in a straight line and she basically jumped sideways and I was too far forward for how little she is.
Here is what I did/thought in a matter of milliseconds:
“Sh*t. I’m unseated.. can I fix it?”
Tightens right leg tries to shift back over
“No”
“Bail now, don’t get your feet stuck”
Brace forearms on pomel, yank feet up out of stirrups, let go right hand as cartwheel left, “spot the ground”, when left leg hits ground, left hand goes with horse adding pressure to try and stop horse, “too much momentum to hold her, she’s jumping away”, let go of reins, wide stance keep eyes on ground move with momentum.
“Holy biscuits. Ok. I’m good, where’s ‘my’ (Taylor’s) horse”
-
Intentional. Calculated. This is why experience matters. The higher risk, the more experience needed. That is why I never suggest that a novice person try and start their own horse. I don’t even want them to saddle them the first time and especially not get on them. “It’s fine till it’s not” as I say.
If they don’t care about the saddle, if they don’t care about the weight and sight of someone on their back, it’s fine, no harm done. But you don’t know that they will be okay with it and if they aren’t can you manage the freak out and keep the saddle or yourself from hitting the ground? When you get on them, can you manage their freakout and not only keep yourself from getting hurt but get off in a controlled manner to not escalate the situation.
Negative experiences, especially in the very beginning can cause major issues that then take twice as long to override. As a trainer, I am prepared if a horse jumps out of their skin while I saddle them for the first time. I’m not letting that horse get away from me, and if the saddle cannot be prevented from “falling” it’s coming off in my hand. Which doesn’t have the same recourse as it hitting the ground. Same for getting on them the first time.
Horses are unpredictable. Reading body language, feeling tension change, knowing how to adapt quickly and control emotions are all essential parts of training. I don’t “worry” about what if’s, I will adapt to them.
~Train with Care, Ride with Confidence~
