n this Hack Chat, Samantha Baer dives into one of the most overlooked parts of horse training: teaching horses to truly relax. Too often riders mistake licking, chewing, pawing, tripping, or grabbing reins as signs of calm. In reality, those are self-soothing behaviors — not genuine release.

Samantha explains why she never lets horses “reward themselves,” how to recognize the difference between distraction and real relaxation, and practical ways to help your horse down-regulate his nervous system on the ground or out hacking. From young horse confidence to positive reinforcement timing, this episode reframes the basics of horse training through the lens of mental health.

If you’ve ever wondered why your horse spooks after tripping, or why offering a cookie at the wrong moment can build insecurity instead of confidence, this conversation will give you tools to create a calmer, more confident partner.

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