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Why Your Horse Won’t Try Anymore
In this episode of Come Ride With Me, we’re flipping the script on rider perfectionism and taking a hard look at how our need to control every moment — in and out of the saddle — can shut down our horse’s ability to think, learn, and self-regulate.
From micromanagement to mistake-shaming, we explore why so many domestic horses struggle with emotional resilience and how riders may unknowingly create defensive, shutdown, or “difficult” behaviors through pressure and overcorrection.
You’ll learn:
Why obedience isn’t the same as confidence
How frustration and fear of punishment affect your horse’s brain
What behavior science and equine neuroscience (including Dr. Steve Peters’ work) reveal about learning under pressure
Simple ways to rebuild trust and offer your horse the space to think again
If you’ve ever wondered why your horse seems hesitant, anxious, or like they’ve stopped trying altogether — this episode is for you.
✨ Let go of perfection. Reclaim your partnership. And make room for a curious, thinking horse again.
🎧 Listen now.
Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com
Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.
You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightened
Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened
Email me at [email protected]
Join me at a live clinic in VA September 28, 2025 https://clinics.equusenlightened.net/s/clinic-participant-flow-lgop
Happy Riding!
Why Your Horse Won’t Try Anymore
In this episode of Come Ride With Me, we’re flipping the script on rider perfectionism and taking a hard look at how our need to control every moment — in and out of the saddle — can shut down our horse’s ability to think, learn, and self-regulate.
From micromanagement to mistake-shaming, we explore why so many domestic horses struggle with emotional resilience and how riders may unknowingly create defensive, shutdown, or “difficult” behaviors through pressure and overcorrection.
You’ll learn:
Why obedience isn’t the same as confidence
How frustration and fear of punishment affect your horse’s brain
What behavior science and equine neuroscience (including Dr. Steve Peters’ work) reveal about learning under pressure
Simple ways to rebuild trust and offer your horse the space to think again
If you’ve ever wondered why your horse seems hesitant, anxious, or like they’ve stopped trying altogether — this episode is for you.
✨ Let go of perfection. Reclaim your partnership. And make room for a curious, thinking horse again.
🎧 Listen now.
Take the Are You a Perfectionist Quiz? at www.equusenlightened.com
Find me on social media as @equusenlightened. Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.
You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightened
Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened
Email me at [email protected]
Join me at a live clinic in VA September 28, 2025 https://clinics.equusenlightened.net/s/clinic-participant-flow-lgop
Happy Riding!