by Kendra Sagers
Working with a new horse, young or old, can often be frustrating. We see progress one day and then often the next day we see none, or worse we see regression. This problem has frustrated me more than once. Now is not the time to get frustrated. 
Stop for a minute and evaluate the situation. Ask yourself the question: Can I train or work with my horse at the progress rate of 1% per ride? Think carefully before you answer. If you answered yes I am about to stump you and make you re-think. If you answered no, hang on. For you yes sayers out there, if you can improve your horse at 1% per ride, then doesn’t it stand to reason that your horse should be at a 100% training level in only 100 rides. Wow! None of us would expect a horse to go from start to finish in only 100 rides. (You no sayers can give yourselves a pat on the back now.) A horse barely has a good start at the whole world of riding in that time. But, we often seem to get frustrated when we don’t see dramatic progress each time we ride.
A couple of days ago my daughter was working with her futurity barrel horse and was getting really frustrated. She kept saying things like, “But mom he did this yesterday.”, or “He knew what I wanted last time why doesn’t he now?” I had to explain to her that horses are people too. We make
mistakes and require practice to get things right. If we were supposed to retain everything we had been taught the first time there would be no reason for practice. I told her that if she did what she was supposed to every time she rode her seasoned barrel horse she would never hit a barrel. (Just some food for thought)
The point I am trying to make is that we need to be patient with our horses. They are not usually out there looking to do wrong. In fact, most of the time they really do try to please you. Work with your horse with the mind set that they really are trying to do as you ask. Be patient and help them through their difficulties. If you will show patience here you will find that you will have a much better more solid horse in the long run. Remember, progress, even in small amounts, is still progress!
Stop for a minute and evaluate the situation. Ask yourself the question: Can I train or work with my horse at the progress rate of 1% per ride? Think carefully before you answer. If you answered yes I am about to stump you and make you re-think. If you answered no, hang on. For you yes sayers out there, if you can improve your horse at 1% per ride, then doesn’t it stand to reason that your horse should be at a 100% training level in only 100 rides. Wow! None of us would expect a horse to go from start to finish in only 100 rides. (You no sayers can give yourselves a pat on the back now.) A horse barely has a good start at the whole world of riding in that time. But, we often seem to get frustrated when we don’t see dramatic progress each time we ride.
A couple of days ago my daughter was working with her futurity barrel horse and was getting really frustrated. She kept saying things like, “But mom he did this yesterday.”, or “He knew what I wanted last time why doesn’t he now?” I had to explain to her that horses are people too. We make
mistakes and require practice to get things right. If we were supposed to retain everything we had been taught the first time there would be no reason for practice. I told her that if she did what she was supposed to every time she rode her seasoned barrel horse she would never hit a barrel. (Just some food for thought)The point I am trying to make is that we need to be patient with our horses. They are not usually out there looking to do wrong. In fact, most of the time they really do try to please you. Work with your horse with the mind set that they really are trying to do as you ask. Be patient and help them through their difficulties. If you will show patience here you will find that you will have a much better more solid horse in the long run. Remember, progress, even in small amounts, is still progress!
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