08/28/2026
Number one, in my opinion when dealing with a horse.
Note: they get socialization skills vary very very young.
Consistency — a horse that gets the same fair, predictable handling every single day builds trust faster than one that gets a spectacular weekend and chaos the rest of the week.
The secret underneath that is reading the horse in front of you instead of running a program. I say this, all horses, like people, have idiosyncrasies.
Two horses need two different approaches, and the ones who do best are the ones whose people actually notice individuality.
You want to go on a trail ride with your best friend. Make it fun for both of you.
Note: if it is just you and your horse go alone, take Smith and Wesson or a HBS of somesort.. You're not required to yield to unofficial road blocks. The forest is yours.
Be consistent, fair, and realize you are not always right.