The Key to a Relaxed and Willing Horse
Every horse owner dreams of having a relaxed, willing partner—one that responds calmly to cues, trusts their rider, and moves with softness instead of tension. But achieving this isn’t about luck—it’s about understanding how relaxation plays a crucial role in your horse’s training and knowing how to create an environment where your horse wants to work with you.
Why Relaxation Matters in Training
Horses are prey animals, which means their first instinct when they feel uncomfortable, confused, or pressured is to either resist, flee, or shut down. If a horse isn’t mentally relaxed, they can’t fully absorb what they’re being taught, and their reactions can range from subtle bracing to full-blown resistance.
A relaxed horse is:
✅ More willing to learn and retain information
✅ Safer to handle and ride
✅ More confident in new situations
✅ Able to progress in training without frustration
On the other hand, tension in training leads to problems like:
❌ Lack of focus and responsiveness
❌ Unwanted behaviors like jigging, head tossing, or spooking
❌ Resistance to cues, making training sessions frustrating for both horse and rider
Signs Your Horse Is Tense (and How to Recognize Them Early)
Your horse may not outright tell you they’re uncomfortable, but their body language will. Here are some common tension indicators:
🔸 Stiffness in movement – Their body feels rigid rather than fluid.
🔸 Tight jaw or lips – A clamped mouth, excessive chomping, or pursed lips can be a sign of stress.
🔸 Raised head and hollow back – Instead of carrying themselves in a relaxed frame, they brace against pressure.
🔸 Wide eyes or flared nostrils – A clear sign that your horse is feeling anxious.
🔸 Unresponsive or overly reactive to cues – Either ignoring you completely or overreacting to small asks.
Recognizing these signs early gives you the chance to adjust before frustration or fear builds up.
Encouraging Relaxation: What You Can Do
Relaxation isn’t something you can force—it’s something you set your horse up to find on their own by making training clear, consistent, and pressure-free.
✔ Slow Down – Rushing through exercises only builds anxiety. Give your horse time to process.
✔ Release Pressure at the Right Moment – Horses learn from the release, not the pressure. Let go as soon as they respond correctly.
✔ Breathe and Stay Relaxed Yourself – Your energy directly affects your horse. Tension in your body = tension in theirs.
✔ Use Groundwork to Build Trust – Before getting in the saddle, ensure your horse is mentally with you on the ground.
✔ Give Them Time to Lick and Chew – This is how horses show they’re processing information and releasing tension.
The more your horse learns they can trust you, the more relaxed and willing they’ll become.
Want Personalized Help? Let’s Work Together!
If you’re struggling with a tense or resistant horse, I can help. In my 1-on-1 coaching sessions, we’ll pinpoint exactly what’s causing your horse’s tension and develop a step-by-step plan to create relaxation and willingness.
📆 Book a session today and start building a better connection with your horse!