Consistency in horse training: The key to a trusting and willing horse

Have you ever felt like your horse just isn't getting it? One day everything clicks, and the next, it feels like you're starting over? The key to better communication and a stronger partnership is consistency - in your mood, your aids and your training schedule.

Consistent mood

Horses, like people, feel uneasy around unpredictable or inconsistent behaviour. If your emotions fluctuate dramatically during training, your horse will find it hard to trust you.

From the moment you pick up the halter, be present. Set aside distractions, shut out stress and focus entirely on your horse. Give them an emotionally safe work environment by providing calm, respectful energy every time you interact.

Aside from external thoughts negatively affecting the rider’s mood, communication breakdowns while working horses may cause riders to become increasingly frustrated, angered or fearful.

Example: the frustration cycle

Rider is feeling happy and positive
Rider asks horse to respond to an aid
Horse gives the wrong answer
Rider escalates aid/tries a different aid > frustration builds
Horse becomes anxious > behaviour worsens
Rider reacts with anger or fear

This cycle leads to miscommunication and stress for both horse and rider.

Solution: When frustration creeps in, pause, take a breath and think about what went wrong. Did you give clear aids? Did you give your horse enough time to respond? Was your position correct? Once you shift your mindset to see mistakes as communication breakdowns rather than defiance, frustration fades and you become a more effective horse trainer.

Consistent aids

Aids should be like a well-structured language - clear, consistent and reliable. IF you change the meaning of an aid every ride, your horse will never fully understand what you want.

“How can you expect your horse to understand what you are saying if you change the alphabet every time you ride?”

Consistency of aids means using the same aid for the same response, always.

Common pitfall: Changing aids when frustrated

Example: Asking for a hindquarter yield

Rider applies leg pressure behind the girth. The horse doesn't respond.
Rider starts kicking. The horse steps forward instead.
Rider pulls on the reins to stop the forward movement.
Rider kicks again, this time pulling on the inside rein.
Horse walks in a circle but does not yield its hindquarters.

Here, the rider is changing the aids instead of reinforcing the correct one, leaving the horse confused and the rider frustrated.

Fix: Stick to the original aid and wait for the correct response. Keep applying that one aid even as the horse gives multiple wrong answers. As soon as your horse gives event the smallest correct movement, release the aid immediately to reinforce the right answer.

Common pitfall: Learning from multiple instructors

Example: Conflicting coaching methods

Coach 1: "Turn the horse's shoulders by turning your shoulders."
Coach 2: "Use your outside leg on the girth to turn the shoulders."
Coach 3: "Direct with the inside rein."

Each method may work, but using a different approach every ride confuses your horse.

Fix: Learn the theory behind different training methods - some are applicable to different riding disciplines and others work during different stages of training, from green horses to advanced training. Choose one system that makes sense for your horse's stage of training/your chosen riding discipline, then stick with it!

"Change coaches if you must but NEVER change your aids!"

Consistent training days

The old cowboy saying goes, "Wet saddle blankets make good horses." Regular work builds a willing equine partner, but riding for the sake of saddle time isn't enough. Deliberate practice - training with clear goals - leads to real improvement.

“Great performers in every domain improve through deliberate practice” - Angela Duckworth

Make a training plan: A written plan helps you track progress, stay motivated and ensure your training is structured. Whether you prefer an app or a simple pen and notebook, a training log helps you stay accountable.

Start today: Write down your training schedule for the next week and stick to it.

You can learn how to keep a bullet journal specifically for equestrians here.

Final thought

A consistent rider creates a confident horse. When you keep your emotions steady, maintain clear aids and train regularly with purpose, your horse will respond with trust and willingness.

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