I realized that I forgot to post the weekly experiment here! You should have all gotten it in your newsletters, but I would love to know how the experiments go. Tell me what you learned, what you felt, were you able to do it? Ten Minute Tuesday: Can You Lead From Behind? Most of us are used to leading our horses from the front or right next to their head. We guide, we push, we pull. We decide where we’re going. But what happens if you don’t? Try this when you visit your horse today: Grab your lead or longe line and go into an arena or paddock. Instead of sending your horse in a circle… just walk. Let your horse choose the direction. You follow. You stay beside them (at a safe distance). You choose the pace. If they stop and look at something—pause. Be curious with them for a moment. Then ask them to go again… without changing your position. What do you notice: • Do they feel more relaxed? • More confident? • Are they looking for you? • Trying to pull away from you? • Are they confused? Try it and tell me what you notice 👇

This week’s 10-minute experiment I call The Energy Ladder. Master the rungs and then climb the ladder faster to refine your horse's response. Start on the ground. Ask your horse to walk off. Either straight ahead with your or out on a circle, doesn't matter, whatever is easy for you. How did it feel? Do they walk on promptly with purpose at the lightest touch or maybe just your intention? No? Good. Now you can play with The Energy Ladder. What is the least amount of pressure or ask you'd like to use to get your horse moving? Save that as your first rung. What are you ACTUALLY having to do to get your horse moving? Save that as your third rung. Your second rung will be an action in between the first and third-pick whatever aid or combo of aids that works for you. The fourth rung is an action bigger or more enticing than the third rung. This could be using a tool - like a stick - or using something like food. What is going to really motivate your horse, KINDLY? Start asking for each rung of the ladder VERY CLEARLY and SLOWLY. Whenever your horse moves off, give a big HAPPY release! Simply notice when your horse goes. Is it always rung 3 or do they start moving off sooner? This week is about gathering data and noticing. Next week, we'll work on refining the ladder! If you want to hear more talk about, listen or watch this week's podcast episode. Here is a video of me doing this in the backup 👇