Is Your Horse Really With You?
- CoachShannon
- Jun 9
- 1 min read
The missing link in your ride might not be what you think.
It’s easy to assume that if your horse responds to your cues, they’re mentally checked in—but that’s not always the case.
Too often, horses perform a maneuver while their minds drift off: thinking about feed, the pasture, or the breeze across the arena. And that moment of distraction—just a few seconds—is often what stands between you and the deeper connection you're working toward.
In a recent session, one of my students was riding a well-trained horse. The horse did everything right… but without mental presence. He was obedient, but not engaged. The rider felt the difference—and so did I.
The real shift came when we changed the goal: Not just movement. Mental concentration.
That ride reminded me of something I learned early on in my career:
“What horses need are long rides, wet saddle pads, and concentrated training.”– Clinton Anderson
Most riders understand the long rides and sweaty saddle pads. But the third one—concentrated training—is the difference-maker.
If your horse isn’t mentally with you, no amount of riding time will create the connection you're craving.
🧠 Want to know how to fix it?I share practical ride strategies, real examples, and self-check exercises in my monthly newsletter—written for riders who want to get better and go deeper with their horses.
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