Build Trust With Your Horse

Close-up of the face of a nervous, fearful rider, biting her fingernail.
The Thinking Rider

Your Fear of Riding Your Horse Is a Good Thing. Wait, What?

Are you embarrassed by your fear in the saddle? Don’t be! Here’s how to turn that fear into a plan to build riding confidence that endures and grows.

gaining-horses-trust-jonathan-field
The Thinking Rider

Gaining Your Horse’s Trust

A trusting horse is a willing, responsive horse. Here’s the secret to gaining your horse’s trust.

Credit: LEFT: Photo by Cappy Jackson; RIGHT: Photo by Alana Harrison LEFT: Naturally timid: Whizards Baby Doll (‘Roxy’), the phenomenal mare who took me to freestyle reining fame, needed encouragement to develop trust. Her fearful, reactive personality made her wary. RIGHT: Naturally bold: Jacs Electric Whiz (‘Jac’) is Roxy’s son, yet has a different personality. He’s so confident that it can be a challenge to keep his attention. I work on having him respect me as his leader.
Horse Behavior

Trust & Respect

Trust is key with timid horses; bold ones need to develop more respect.