InterMission

08/06/2025

07/28/2025

What If Your Horse Doesn’t Need to Be Trained?

We rarely question the assumption that training is necessary. It’s the foundation of nearly every book, course, and clinic involving horses. Training is supposed to make horses safer, more useful, and easier to be around. But what if the premise is flawed?
What if your horse doesn’t need to be trained?

I don’t mean that your horse already is trained. I mean…
What if training isn’t a need at all?

The Assumption Behind the Question
The dominant culture around horses teaches us that training is what makes the human-horse relationship possible. That without teaching horses to submit to pressure, follow commands, and accept our equipment, there would be chaos—or danger.

But there’s another perspective. One that sees horses not as blank slates or projects to be shaped, but as sentient, emotionally complex beings who already know how to live, how to relate, and how to communicate.

This doesn’t mean every horse is ready for every human situation. But maybe that’s not because they’re underdeveloped—it’s because we’re asking them to fit into molds they never chose.

Training or Shaping for Compliance?
What we often call “training” is really shaping. Shaping behavior toward human preferences. It might look calm and gentle—or it might be aggressive and dominating—but the core remains the same: we’re trying to get the horse to do something we’ve decided is appropriate.

So here’s the honest question:
Is training something we do for the horse—or something we do to them?

Even kind methods can have subtle strings attached. When we praise a horse for doing the “right” thing, are we celebrating their expression—or reinforcing that they should please us?

What Happens When We Let Go?
Something beautiful happens when we stop trying to teach.
The horse begins to show us who they are. Not just what they’ll tolerate, but what they enjoy. What they avoid. Who they trust. How they heal.

Without the constant undercurrent of expectation, a different kind of communication opens up. One where silence is just as important as signals. One where mutual consent replaces obedience.

And often, horses become more curious, more expressive, and even more cooperative—not because they were trained to be—but because they were seen, heard, and respected.

Not All Structure Is Harmful
This doesn’t mean structure is bad, or that supporting a horse in navigating the human world is wrong. But what if we paused before teaching and asked:

Is this really necessary for the horse—or is it for me?

Can this be a mutual process—or am I imposing something?

Is there another way to meet this need that honors the horse’s freedom?

Sometimes, what we think needs “training” actually just needs time. Or trust. Or a shift in our own expectations.

An Invitation to Wonder
This post isn’t an answer. It’s an invitation.
To wonder. To question.
To sit with your horse and ask, “Who are you, when I’m not trying to change you?”

You might be surprised by what you find.

07/22/2025

Whelp, guess I should start looking for a keyboard!

07/21/2025

Karen Martell observed 2 year old Butterscotch nursing from her Mom on Friday. It reminds me of what a friend said when I suggested she wait to wean her c**t. She wanted to ride her mare so she said wanted to wean the c**t at 3 months old. She stated "He can survive just fine at this age." I told her I felt the c**t needed mom for so many other things than food. She teaches him manners, what to avoid eating, how to stay out of trouble with other horses, avoid predators, snakebites and beestings and how to survive a storm. She calms the c**t when he gets upset about something. As humans know, raising a child is about so much more than breast milk.

In the wild I have seen several 4 year old stallions get upset about something and run to their mom for a comforting drink of warm milk. She is their rock. She is their professor and their anchor when they get into trouble and need reassurance that everything will be alright.

In the wild, we have witnessed mares with mastitis who could not nurse the c**t at an early age. The family took over while the mare recovered, but once she was feeling better, she resumed the roll of Mom. This is why foals nearly always have the "aunty" who is there from day one to comfort and teach the foal. In many cases that relationship is the strongest one, since in the wild the mom is usually back in foal in a couple weeks.

Observing nature is refreshing; it doesn't overthink everything the way some humans tend to.

Please SHARE OUR POST and FOLLOW OUR PAGE.

07/17/2025

Apparently sometimes when you lead a horse to water, they WILL drink! Lol

07/16/2025

More goofy horse humor!

07/15/2025

Stay calm and ❤️ horses!

July 15 is National I Love Horses Day. This is for all the neigh-sayers out there.

07/07/2025

Some horse hi-jinks! I'd really like to see video of the couple minutes right *before* the first 3 seconds...!

06/28/2025

Species is unimportant in building loving relationships!

02/07/2025

Hi folks! I'm super excited to announce a new way you can support InterMission! We are now selling hand crafted jewelry - every piece is a one of a kind! You can shop on the website Www.intermissionhorses.org or live in person at The Clapping Monkey in Fridley starting tomorrow night at their "after dark" event.
Let me know if you are looking for something specific and I'll see what I can do!

02/02/2025

🙏