There’s something incredibly humbling about feeling like you finally know what you’re doing and then getting on a completely different horse who basically says, “Cute. None of that works here.” And weirdly, that’s one of my favorite parts of riding.
I want to ride the sensitive ones that make me quieter, the green ones that expose my timing, the strong ones, the lazy ones, the weird little projects that make me throw half my usual tools out the window and find new ones.
Every horse teaches you another way to communicate, another way to problem solve, and another place where your riding needs work.
When I picture being a really good horsewoman, I picture someone who can get on all kinds of horses and find a way to ride the horse that’s actually underneath her.
That’s why I’ll take pretty much any opportunity I get to swing a leg over a horse I’ve never ridden before. There’s always something new to figure out, and I think that’s half the fun of it.
That’s the rider I want to keep becoming.
Riding horses that challenge your usual style can be intimidating but incredibly rewarding. From my personal experience, each horse really is a new teacher. I remember the first time I mounted a particularly stubborn horse who seemed to reject every technique I knew—at first, I felt frustrated. But soon, I realized that this horse was forcing me to get more creative and listen more attentively to subtle cues. It wasn’t about forcing control but adapting and communicating in a softer, more precise way. The truth is, horses have unique temperaments and responses, and this diversity is what makes riding so dynamic. Sensitive horses require you to be calmer, more patient, and more considerate of how you apply pressure with your legs or reins. Meanwhile, green or young horses reveal the gaps in your timing and balance, pushing you to refine your fundamentals even further. Strong or energetic horses can teach you better core strength and control, while the lazier ones test your ability to motivate and inspire movement through subtle cues. One thing I’ve learned from these varied experiences is how important it is to remain open and curious rather than relying on one fixed way of riding. Throwing out half your usual tools means you’re forced to explore new methods and discover how to connect authentically with each horse individually. It’s a humbling process but a beautiful one that deepens the bond and understanding between horse and rider. If you ever get the chance to ride a horse you’ve never met before, I strongly encourage it. Stepping out of your comfort zone to find the horse underneath the surface helps build a wider skill set and a richer riding journey. This mindset of continual learning is what keeps the passion alive and allows you to grow into the horsewoman you aspire to be—adaptable, thoughtful, and always ready for the next ride.
