Is Your Horse Mentally Checked In? 🧠
Hi Reader,
This month, I want to share something that’s often overlooked but may be the missing link in your rides: your horse’s mental engagement.
Not physical effort. Not obedience. Not how well they know the maneuver. But whether they’re mentally checked in, focused on you and your direction, for the entire ride.
It’s easy to assume that if a horse responds correctly to a cue, they’re with us. But many riders never realize how often their horse is physically performing while mentally drifting off. And that drift, those few seconds where their focus slips to something else, is often what stands in the way of the deeper connection and responsiveness we all want.
Let me give you an example. 🤔
One of my riders recently bought a well-trained horse and has been steadily building a partnership through lessons and consistent work. They’ve made real progress together. But during a recent session, I noticed a pattern. Every time the rider asked for something—a canter departure, a soft stop, a transition—the horse responded, then mentally checked out.
He wasn’t naughty or resistant. But within a few strides, his mind wandered. He started looking off toward the cows, thinking about feed time, distracted by the breeze or the fence line. He was doing the job, yes, but without engagement. And that lack of focus left the rider feeling disconnected.
So we made it our goal for the day to build concentration, not just movement. We worked transitions, changes of direction, and subtle shifts that required the horse to stay checked in from one moment to the next.
This brought back a powerful reminder from one of my mentors, Clinton Anderson. He often said:
“What horses need are long rides, wet saddle pads, and concentrated training.”
Most people understand the first two 👉 Ride long enough to create effort, and long enough to sweat. But the third one, concentrated training, is what truly elevates the connection between horse and rider. And it's not just you who needs to focus. It’s your horse, too.
Here’s the truth: Your horse won’t concentrate unless you insist on it.
They won’t stay tuned in to the work unless the ride demands it. It’s your job to shape the ride in a way that helps them stay mentally engaged, listening for your next cue, and staying present with the task at hand.
If your horse is mentally somewhere else, you won’t build the connection you’re looking for, no matter how long you ride or how sweaty the pad gets.
🧠 A Quick Self-Check for Your Next Ride:
1. How often does your horse mentally drift off? Are you noticing when it happens? Are you doing anything to re-engage them?
2. Rate your average ride from 1 to 10 on these three key ingredients:
✅ Long ride
✅ Wet saddle pad
✅ Concentrated training
Which one needs more attention?
3. Are you creating a space for partnership, or just passive participation? Some horses are naturally eager to please. Others need clear leadership and consistent standards. Either way, your horse should know they’re expected to stay with you, mentally and physically.
The deeper connection you want, whether on the trail or in the show pen, starts with a horse that’s not just doing the job but thinking with you every step.
Let me know if this message resonates. Leave a comment or send me a message—I’d love to hear how you’re helping your horse stay mentally checked in 👏
See you next month,
𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒏
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