CC Performance Horses

02/20/2026

01/03/2026

Ass in saddle time is key.

The more you ride, the better you become.

Even on the days the conditions are not ideal, you can walk your horse.

You can work on softness and feel.

You can concentrate on body control for yourself and your horse.

Stop making excuses.

Go to work.

www.betweenthereins.us

09/29/2024

Horses are a lot like 4th graders.

I know this because my wife, Bridget, is a school teacher, and over the years, I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of what it takes to make a great student-teacher relationship... and I’ve come to realize, in many ways, it’s not that much different from the horse-trainer relationship.

Horses, like students, may not always remember exactly what you taught them on a given day, but they remember how you made them feel.

They remember whether or not you encouraged them and made them feel confident about the things they have learned.

They remember if you took time to listen to them and to build a relationship with them.

They recognize our attitudes and behaviors, and they are easily influenced by the energy we put off—both positively and negatively.

Horses, like students, need space to make mistakes.

They don’t need to be micromanaged.

They don’t need to be harshly criticized when they get the wrong answer.

Instead, they need you to guide them in the right direction and be rewarded when they find the right answer.

Horses, like students, need us to take the time to help them develop their skills.

They need us to show patience and kindness.

They need us to have understanding and excellent communication.

They need us to be committed to their growth, no matter how slow or fast it may be.

Horses, like students, need us to understand that progress is not an overnight process, but rather a lifelong journey. And, while it may be a long journey, it sure is a rewarding one.

09/25/2024

Communication with a horse can be summed up as cause and effect or action and reaction.
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Either way, when you give a cue you expect a response.
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Do you change the way you ask or communicate if the desired response is not achieved after a few tries?
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Do you recognize that the communication is not ideal and adjust to improve?
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Do you listen when they are trying to tell you they don’t understand?
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Is there consistency in your training program?
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Are you mentally present when riding so you can make those adjustments?
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Learn to listen and be better.
Learn to be patient.

Every horse is an individual and learns differently.

Understand the difference between confusion and refusal.

www.betweenthereins.us