07/05/2026
Today my OTTB made a choice he has rehearsed hundreds of times before - he left. 😳
I had added a bit more pressure than he could process in that moment, and his past experiences taught him to leave… and he leaves quickly 😬
I quietly collected him, asked him for a few little steps from our ‘basics’ playbook and together we returned to the arena.
He wasn’t punished for that choice. He gave me information about my timing, pressure and his emotional state.
He came back and I made a little adjustment, adding a long enough pause so he had time to think and process. Then came the enormous yawn.
For a horse conditioned for years to react physically, these moments feel significant. He is learning that pressure, isn’t going to lead to abuse of power. Pressure can be a part of a conversation - one where he has time to think and find the answers.
Loving this slower training, it creates understanding, not just obedience.