74. The Horse Training Mistake Almost Everyone Makes (Without Realizing It)

The Horse Training Mistake Almost Everyone Makes (Without Realizing It) What if one of the biggest mistakes we make with our horses isn't what we teach...it's what we stop teaching? When a horse becomes buddy sour, pushy for treats, anxious at the mounting block, spooky on the trail, or difficult to canter, many of us instinctively remove the problem. We stop taking them to horse shows. We stop feeding treats. We stay in the arena. We avoid the situation altogether. Sometimes that's smart management. But management isn't the same thing as education. In this episode, Anna explores what she calls **"The Keep Away Game"**—our tendency to avoid the very situations that could help both horse and human learn and grow. Inspired by her recent conversation with animal communicator Ginny Horton, she challenges listeners to rethink whether they're solving the problem...or simply postponing it. You'll learn: - Why avoidance is a management strategy—not a training method. - The difference between stopping a behavior and teaching a new skill. - How punishment and education create very different outcomes. - Why well-taught boundaries actually create **more** freedom for horses. - How to know whether your horse isn't ready—or you simply need a new way to teach. - What to look for when choosing the right trainer or coach for a specific problem. - Why the skills you build at home determine what happens under pressure at a horse show or on the trail. If you've ever found yourself avoiding a situation because it feels easier than working through it, this episode will give you a new way to think about training—and remind you that every challenge is also an opportunity to learn. Choose **one thing** you've been avoiding with your horse. Then ask yourself: **Am I removing the opportunity because my horse isn't ready yet...or because I don't know how to help them become ready?** Spend ten minutes researching a new approach. Talk to your trainer. Read a book. Watch a video. Explore a different training modality. Don't just keep the problem away. Start educating yourself—and your horse. If this episode resonated with you, follow **The Thinking Horse & Rider Podcast**, leave a review, and share it with another horse person who's ready to replace avoidance with education. This Week's 10-Minute Experiment Get the FREE Awareness workshop www.equusenlightened.com Find me on social media as @equusenlightened.   Join the Horse and Rider Lab on Skool. It’s free!  https://www.skool.com/equus-enlightened-8966/about Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart in the Skool Classroom   You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightened Read blogs or find more links @ https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened   Email me at [Anna@equusenlightened.com](mailto:Anna@equusenlightened.comt) Happy Riding!