Why Soft Hands Don't Always Create Soft Horses

Trust is earned, not owed. Just because a horse respects you doesn't necessarily mean you've earned their trust. In this episode, I'm sharing some thoughts on the difference between trust and respect, why one is often easier to earn than the other, and how we can become more intentional about developing both in our horses.I'm also reflecting on some of the people who have had a tremendous influence on my life and what they've taught me about building relationships and positively impacting others.

There's a big difference between a horse that's collected and one that's simply being held in a position. In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between frame, collection, and control, and why understanding how a horse uses its body is so important. Tune in as I explain why the goal isn't to hold a horse in a certain position. Instead, it's to develop the understanding, responsiveness, and balance that allow our horses to carry themselves when we put our hand down.

One of the things I think we have to be careful about as horsemen is getting so focused on what our horses aren't doing right that we overlook what they're doing well. There's a big difference between helping a horse improve and constantly nitpicking every little thing they do.In this episode, I'm talking about the importance of recognizing progression, understanding how feel and body language work together, and learning to pay attention to what our horses are communicating back to us. I also share why knowing when to leave something alone, reward the effort, and call it a day can be just as important as the training itself.Remember, we're not looking for perfection every time we work with our horses. We're looking for quality progression. And sometimes, the best way to keep moving forward is to recognize when you've made enough progress for today.

Sometimes, one of the hardest things to do in horsemanship is to do nothing at all. Years ago, someone told me, “If you don't have 10 seconds to sit, pause, and let that horse appreciate the release, you need to go ahead and get off.” And, that's advice I've carried with me ever since.In this episode, I'm talking about the importance of slowing down, being intentional with our releases, and giving our horses time to process what they've just learned.Join me as I share why the most productive 10 seconds of your training session may be the ones where you do absolutely nothing.

One of the biggest challenges in starting young horses is when their physical development gets ahead of their mental development. That's why I believe some of the most valuable training we can do happens long before a horse's first ride.In this episode, I'm sharing some takeaways from our recent Colt Starting Mentorship and why I put so much emphasis on working with weanlings and yearlings. We'll talk about developing a horse's ability to think through pressure, the importance of clear signals and timely releases, and how taking small, consistent steps early on can make a tremendous difference in their confidence and progression later in life.Whether you're breeding, raising, or training young horses, I hope this episode encourages you to take a closer look at the foundation you're building today.

You may not consider yourself a colt starter, but if you're breeding, raising, owning, or handling young horses, you're already influencing their training.Every interaction a horse has during their weanling and yearling years shapes the foundation they'll carry into training later in life. The habits we create and the responses we reinforce all have the potential to make the training process easier—or harder—down the road.In this episode, I'm sharing the three "C's" I consider non-negotiables when working with young horses and what to focus on from the earliest stages to help set them up for success throughout their training.

You may have heard the phrase, "soft hands create soft horses." In this episode, I'm sharing my perspective on this training philosophy and why focusing too much on being "soft" can sometimes create more confusion than confidence in your horse.Tune in as I break down what clear communication really looks like, how to make your signals easier for your horse to understand, and why clarity plays such an important role in building confidence.

In this episode, I'm joined by Shane and Allyson Eliason of Eliason Performance Horses in Snowville, Utah. As fifth-generation ranchers, Shane and Allyson run an impressive cattle and performance horse breeding operation in the high desert country of Utah, spanning tens of thousands of acres with 30+ broodmares and three stallions. Join us as we discuss how their program came together, the unique aspects of breeding and raising horses on the ranch, and how this foundation influences their horses' training and development. We also talk about the genetics and crosses behind their program, what they're looking for in the horses they're producing, and some of the things I've noticed in the horses I'm riding from their program today.

This episode is inspired by a question from one of our loyal listeners and Be Your Best Membership members. Her question is: What’s something you see good riders doing that they don’t realize is actually creating anxiety or resistance in their horses?Tune in to hear my take on this question as I share some hidden habits that even the most skilled riders fall back on from time to time that can create undesirable responses from their horses.

There are always going to be things we can’t control—the weather, our circumstances, or how quickly progress comes—but we can control how we approach them. In this episode, I talk about adjusting our training through the summer heat, the difference between happiness and joy, and why learning to enjoy the process matters both in horsemanship and in life. I also share some thoughts on gratitude, resilience, and making the most of the season you’re in.