Learn to influence your horse’s energy for better training

Why does a busy horse become calm with one person and very restless with another?

Horses are very sensitive when it comes to picking up emotions and energy. For most people, both are not tangible or visible, but they are often felt. Especially by horses.

When you are able to use your energy consciously, this can bring many benefits. This applies both to groundwork and to riding. Low energy, or a lower energy level, brings calm and relaxation. You can use this when you want more calm and relaxation in your work with your horse. When you combine this with your breathing, it becomes even more powerful.

Working with energy and breathing

More energy?
Breathe in and turn your energy button up.

Less energy?
Breathe out softly and turn your energy button to a lower number.

You can use this in every form of contact, in the aids you give and in the questions you ask your horse.

Using energy in daily situations

Does your horse walk away when you want to catch him?
Breathe out and turn your energy down.

Do you want your horse to move out of your space?
Breathe in and turn your energy up.

You can also use this during training under saddle.

For example:

• When you want to ride a downward transition, breathe out and bring your energy down.

• When you want more energy from your horse or a forward transition, breathe in and turn your energy up.

Exercise: the energy button

How can you learn to work with this consciously?

If you are not yet used to working with this (consciously), the following exercise can help.

Visualise that you have an energy button in your navel. On this button there are numbers from 0 to 10.

• 0 means standing still in complete relaxation

• 10 means a very active extended gallop

• All other numbers are somewhere in between

When you notice that your horse is restless or has too much energy, bring your attention to your energy button.

• What number is your energy on?

• Give it a number.

• Then consciously turn it down a few numbers.

Breathe out and pause for a moment at this new number. Keep your attention on this lower number.

Is this not enough yet?
See if you can turn it down a few more numbers and notice what effect this has on your horse.

Increasing energy

Do you want more energy instead?

• What number would you give your horse’s current energy level?

• What number would you give your own energy?

Can you turn your energy button up a few numbers?
And what effect does this have on your horse?

Invitation

If you are not (yet) used to working with this, I am very curious to know if you notice a difference.

Try using your breathing and your energy button in your contact with your horse and during training this week.

Do you notice a change in yourself?
Or in your horse?