10/29/2026
Why did I walk away?
It’s all about releasing pressure.
Guns is a naturally nervous horse. New things can create stress for him, but he’s been doing a phenomenal job learning to work through that stress and make progress in his training.
But how do I show him he’s making the right decisions? How do I reward him for trying?
You’ll see exactly how here. First, you’ll notice the pat on the shoulder. That was my initial “good boy.” Then, I walk away. By walking away, I’m removing all pressure, allowing him to unstick his feet, and giving him the opportunity to physically and mentally relax. Watch his body language: his head lowers, he blinks, and you see plenty of licking and chewing as he begins to release that tension.
That IS the reward. Sometimes the best way to reward a horse isn’t with a treat, another pat, or immediately moving on to the next exercise. Sometimes it’s simply giving them the space to breathe, process what just happened, and realize they made the right choice.
Especially with a nervous horse, I want him to understand that he doesn’t have to stay in that heightened state. When he makes a good decision, the pressure goes away. He gets a moment to relax, and we can start again when he’s ready.
We aren’t just teaching Guns to tolerate new things. We’re teaching him how to think through them, find comfort in the situation, and trust that he can look to me for guidance. ❤️
