First of all, define bored. Let's be careful not to inadvertently associate frustration with boredom. All too often, new or novice horse owners quit on a task because they sense it's frustrating the horse and falsely label it as boredom.

If your horse is bored, they don't get frustrated, they get slower, or even sleepy. Imagine a horse chewing the fence rails because there is nothing else to do. That's a bored horse.

If your horse is frustrated, they'll get anxious, and the energy will increase. Imagine a horse refusing to listen to your signals or kicking, striking or fighting to avoid doing something. That's a frustrated horse. The key is to make that "something" more desirable and easier by breaking it down into steps and adding rewards. Any horse can do anything if the steps are small enough to make progress from.

Now boredom means your horse doesn't have enough things to do. Repetition doesn't cause boredom, but it can cause frustration. So, practice repetitive tasks with more rewards infused and notice how it all improves. Practice is necessary for the performing arts so if you're ever gonna get there, you have to find a way to stop labeling frustration as boredom. Otherwise, you'll do the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Boredom means you should add tasks, meaningful activities and exercise. Not change tasks or stop working through frustrating moments.

Here are three fun exercises to help with boredom and minimize frustration...

1. Free lunging. Don't focus on gaits and transitions and changes of direction. Focus on connection. Allow the horse to move about a space freely, rewarding them when they move toward you. It's lots of fun, increases the bond, and ultimately leads to great liberty training.

2. Free lunging with obstacles. Now you've got play plus purpose. The horse learns to enjoy connecting with you and testing new skills.

3. Riding for physical fitness. This one focuses on the endurance of the horse. Make it fun by building in progressive steps. If your horse can trot for ten seconds, try for twenty. Then tomorrow try for thirty. The progression will be interesting, curing boredom and encouraging a strong mental and physical horse.

As always, there are many roads that lead to Rome. Many other great exercises. So, stay safe, play often, and be calm and collected as the leader during moments of frustration. Your horse will love you.

See you soon, Don Jessop