Do you want to guess what the biggest problem is that I see over and over at every clinic?
It’s not bucking or trailer loading or steering or lack of brakes or busy feet. I see all of that, but they are not the biggest problem I deal with at every clinic. In fact, it is such a huge problem that I refuse to deal with anymore.
The biggest issue I see is how to make a horse feel okay to do something that is not its idea. I don’t think it can be done. So I won’t do it anymore. I’ve been trying to avoid doing it for 30 years.
So if you come to one of my clinics, you can expect to be beaten over the head with the concept of changing your horse’s thoughts. If your horse struggles with trailer loading, we won’t be drilling going in and out of the trailer a hundred times. We will be working on changing your horse’s ideas. If your horse finds lateral movements difficult I won’t be hounding you about how to apply your legs, reins, and seat. I will be trying to help you talk to your horse’s thoughts so it is its idea to move laterally rather than simply succumb to moving away from pressure.
If your horse’s idea is the same as the idea you want it to have, get out of the way and let it happen. Don’t be telling your horse how to do something it is already trying to do. Change the primary thought and enjoy the marvel of it.
If I could teach people to change their horse’s thoughts, peace and harmony would reign throughout the equine kingdom and I could enjoy retirement.
Pam and Tas I have conflicting ideas; Colfax, CA 2022.