What kind of horse am I creating with my perspective?

In my experience, every interaction with our horses is somehow filtered through the lens of our beliefs. How we see them—whether consciously or unconsciously—shapes the way we handle, train, and communicate with them.

For instance, if I see a horse as resistant, I might find myself leaning toward force, frustration, or trying to ‘fix’ that resistance. If I perceive them as unwilling, I could end up pushing harder, micromanaging their movements, or labelling them as difficult. But over time, I’ve come to realise that if I choose to see them as sentient beings—capable of learning, understanding, and expressing themselves—my whole approach starts to shift.

Perception Shapes Reality

Horses, from my perspective, are incredibly perceptive creatures. They seem to read our body language, energy, and intent with a depth that's often surprising. I’ve noticed that when we assume a horse is being ‘naughty’ or ‘stubborn,’ it can unintentionally close us off to the idea that they might be confused, uncomfortable, or struggling to understand. And, when we're in that mindset, we sometimes end up reinforcing a negative cycle—where they respond defensively, and we end up justifying our own beliefs about their behaviour.

Personally, when I shift how I see them, I notice that the possibilities seem to expand. If I look at a horse as a willing partner, I find I’m more open to their curiosity. When I see them as intelligent and capable, I’m more likely to give them the time they need to process and learn. If I approach them as individuals, I find myself being more patient and understanding.

Beyond Training: A Mindset Shift

In my journey, I’ve come to realise that this shift is about more than just training techniques—it’s rooted in mindset. The way we choose to train isn’t just shaped by what we see as effective, but also by what aligns with our deeper values and belief systems. At the core, our beliefs influence the way we think and approach every situation with our horses, often without us even realising it.

I’ve noticed that many of us, myself included, often look for new techniques to improve our horse’s performance. But over time, I’ve discovered that true transformation doesn’t always come from adopting a new method. Sometimes, it comes from something simpler—a shift in how I see my horse. When I move away from trying to control them toward a mindset of collaboration, when I replace assumption with curiosity, and when I choose responsiveness, the slightest try over reaction, I find that my horse begins to reflect that change. It’s as if our mindset shapes the very way they respond to us.

Reflection: How Do You See Your Horse?

I’ve found that taking a moment to reflect can be really helpful:

• Do I see my horse as a problem to fix or as a partner to listen to?

• Do I assume defiance, or do I consider that they might be experiencing fear, confusion, or mental or physical discomfort?

• Do I allow my horse to express themselves, or am I shaping them into a version that fits my expectations?

  
  

I don’t think these are easy questions, but they feel really important to me. Because, from where I stand, how I see my horse is directly linked to what they are allowed to become.

So, I often ask myself: What kind of horse am I creating with my perspective?