Good horsemanship  should be a little like cheating. Something that isn’t extravagant or showy, just a soft coming together of two entities into one unified motion. Something like magic. You know the magician is doing something, you just can’t see it- that’s great horsemanship.

How do you get that? By knowing how sensitive the horse really is.

Years ago, I was competing at a major show in front of six judges. It was a trail class that consisted of performing certain maneuvers at specific points, along with maneuvering in and through various obstacles. You are alone with your horse, and all judges are focused on you. As I was getting ready to  perform a particular movement, my horse anticipated my request and started to move before I was ready. I still remember it quite vividly. I was just moving my leg into position to move the hind quarters around and whoosh, she started without me!

Boy was I mad! I still remember what I thought that day, in front of all those judges! “Reba (the name of my horse) if you are going to be that sensitive then so will I!” I said it more out of frustration and anger, but little did I realize what an important lesson I  just learned. From that point on, we became true partners and  began to win. I began to experiment with using softer and softer cues, until all I had to do was think it and she did it.

Every horse I have ridden since, is that sensitive. Yours is too. Remember, when working with your horse they are watching, listening and feeling for those small subtle clues that will indicate what you are going to next. Instead of fighting it, learn to use this phenomenal ability by giving them what they want- just a small cue or signal, so that they can prepare themselves. You’ll be amazed at how sensitive your horse truly is! You might even feel like I do – just like your cheating!