“Don’t Just Say ‘Not That’—Say ‘This Way’”
When your horse does something off track—like a crooked transition—it’s easy to get stuck in what’s wrong. But that often shows up in our body as tension, and in our tone as frustration. Instead of “No, not that,” try: ✔ “Yes, now go this way.” ✔ “Good try, now here’s the balance.” ✔ “Thanks for the effort—let’s adjust the line.” That small shift turns correction into redirection. It keeps your horse more relaxed and keeps YOU from riding in frustration. 💬 Question for the Group: Can you think of a moment where this shift would’ve helped? What’s one cue you may be working on that says “this way” instead of “not that” for your next ride?