A horse is always trying to do what it is thinking. So when a horse thinks to do something you want, it looks like you did nothing. There is no more important principle in good horsemanship.
Somewhere along the journey to becoming a horse person the playful silliness of having fun with a pony turned into the serious business of being a horse person.
I explained that the purpose of the groundwork was to better prepare a horse to be ridden. Everything we do should be connected to developing a better riding horse.
Back in July, I wrote a post about what I believe are the qualities that make a true horse person. I listed several assets a person should possess such as being smart, emotionless, confident, etc.
Sometimes I hold the lead rope very short - under the chin, at the point it attaches to the halter. Other times my hold gives the horse the full length of the rope to search for an idea.
