When I first met Sam, a grey Connemara gelding, there was a quiet tension about him. His body carried the imprint of past experiences—physical blockages, restrictions, and deeply ingrained patterns of behaviour.
From his owner's account, I learned that Sam had already made remarkable progress since his purchase, transforming from a shaking, fearful, and uncatchable horse into one who had built a genuine friendship with her.
However, Alexandra sensed there was still more to uncover, more to improve, and she was eager to help Sam feel even more at ease—both in his body and in his work.
Month One: January 2025
We began our work together by observing him through simple liberty games and TRT movement patterns, allowing him to show us where he was physically and mentally.
When on a lead rope, Sam displayed submissive obedience, doing what was asked with quiet compliance.
But the moment he was let loose in the arena, that compliance gave way to wariness and suspicion. It sometimes took us 20-30 min to catch him if we let him loose after a short session on the leadrope. He had a strong bond with his owner, yet there were moments where his responses felt more like deeply ingrained habits rather than true connection.
As his owner practised her groundwork exercises, we noticed subtle signs of withdrawal building up —his energy dropped, and while he followed the movements, his mind seemed somewhere else. I suspected some of this was rooted in his past experiences, so rather than continuing with our initial plan, we shifted our focus. Instead of reinforcing obedience, we needed to build engagement. We needed to let him know what was in this for him.
Building Engagement, Not Just Obedience
Rather than focusing on refining cues, we explored ways to awaken Sam’s interest in his environment and in us. But at first, even something as simple as offering food in the arena as part of a game made him hesitant. He seemed unsure whether engaging with it was the right thing to do, as if he had learned that curiosity wasn’t encouraged.
Recognising this, we decided to strip everything back and start with the smallest steps—helping him rediscover problem-solving in a space where he felt most comfortable: his stable. We hid small pieces of carrot and apple under his feed bucket, encouraging him to move objects to find them. Even with this, he sometimes showed learned helplessness, standing over the bucket without attempting to interact with it, or looking at an object without pursuing it.
Bit by bit, his confidence grew. As he began to engage with these simple puzzles, we transferred the concept back to the arena. Small activities—like food searches and following an object the owner carried—gave him gentle opportunities to problem-solve and take initiative rather than just respond to cues.
Slowly, his body language shifted. He became more engaged, expressive, and present. This wasn’t about teaching him tasks but about showing him that our interactions could be enjoyable, that his curiosity was welcome, and that he had a say in the conversation.
The Power of Choice and Connection
As the weeks went on, Sam began to participate rather than just comply. He started to initiate interactions—offering engagement rather than waiting for a request, playing with objects even if placed in the arena, and showing clearer, more expressive body language.
What stood out the most was how his understanding of communication evolved. At first, he struggled to interpret subtle body language (I'd say his preferred option was not to even try any guesswork) and movement-based cues. But as he became more relaxed and confident, he tuned into the smallest signals, responding with much less hesitation and stress.
This shift didn’t come from demanding more precision or obedience but from creating an environment where Sam felt safe to think, explore, and engage.
Huge well done to Sam's owner for fully immersing herself in the homework, committing to refining her own body language, and truly embracing the engagement games—which in turn allowed Sam to willingly step into the process. 😊 I can't wait to see what the next few months bring!
Perspective Matters
With Sam, I wasn’t just working on Liberty tricks, movement patterns or groundwork—I was learning from him as much as he was learning from us. His progress reminds us of a key lesson:
🟠 Before asking for obedience or even biomechanical correctness, look for engagement.
🟠 Before assuming resistance, consider past experiences.
🟠 Before refining movements, ensure the horse truly understands the conversation.
So much of what we call “training issues” are not about training at all. They are reflections of how the horse feels in their body and mind.
By shifting our focus from compliance to curiosity, from obedience to connection, Sam started to transform—not through control, but through choice.
What This Means for You and Your Horse
If Sam’s story resonates with you, I encourage you to take a step back and observe your own horse:
🟠 Do they feel engaged and "switched on" in your work together, or are they just following cues?
🟠 Do they show curiosity, or do they hesitate to interact?
🟠 Are they physically free to move, or do they carry hidden tension?
The answers to these questions may be the key to unlocking a deeper partnership.
This approach is the foundation of my work—helping horses and riders develop trust, confidence, and true communication.
If you’re interested in learning more, my Quarterly Memberships offer structured guidance in building these skills, without pressure or force—just an invitation to explore, connect, and grow.
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