Everyone appreciates a good horseback rider. They are balanced and confident. Their cues are direct and effective. But it doesn’t mean anything to me, or your horse, unless you’re also a good horse reader.

I’ve met extraordinary riders who wouldn’t fall off a bucking horse while on a train, or plane, or house with a mouse, or even while eating green eggs and ham. They are so balanced and strong they laugh at a buck, sneer at a shy, and confidently “poke the bear” just to get a reaction and train it out.

I am not that rider. And you shouldn’t be either. Even though it’s commendable in its own way, riding a horse is nothing more than staying on while demanding control. But reading a horse, on the other hand, is the potential power to be seen as a true leader and compassionate guide.

You can be both, of course.

I’ve met good riders who became good readers and vice versa. It’s a great goal. These people become true horsemen and horsewomen. But let’s prioritize reading. Why?

Because a reader will ride when the horse agrees. Whereas a rider will abandon the emotions and experiences of the horse, temporarily enslaving the horse to do what the rider wants. A reader will try to communicate and explore opportunities rather than demand results right away.

There are times when safety takes priority and you have to be direct through the chaos, like a parent leading a child across a busy street, where compassion takes a back seat and directness takes priority. But those moments should be rare. Most riding should be reading moments. At least, if you want to be better than average and give your horse an outstanding experience.

If you’ve ever fallen from a horse, it’s partly your own balance, not quick enough to react to the prey animal’s instinctive second jump. But it’s also pilot error. You misread the emotion. You made an assumption. You missed something important or forgot to even check for red flags before mounting. A good rider would hopefully react quickly enough to stay on. A good reader, however, would see the situation coming.

Naturally, I speak idealistically. There are exceptions to every rule. But our job is not to excuse either part. Our job is to grow again. To learn to read a horse like a pro.

Don Jessop

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