Some people think wearing gloves while working with horses is a sign you aren’t tough enough—or, ironically, sensitive enough. I’ve heard people say that if you wear gloves, you’re not “natural.” That’s like saying using a saddle isn’t natural. And, double irony here… it’s not. Nothing we do with horses is “natural.” A horse-human partnership is special and worthy, but it happens because we choose it, not because it’s nature’s default. But that’s a topic for another article.

We know horses and humans aren’t your “garden glove variety” relationships, but let’s face it… you love your horse! GREAT. Let’s keep loving them with hands that still have skin on them.

“The Power of Glove” isn’t just a pop culture reference—it’s a truth bomb for horse handlers. Gloves give you a better grip when your horse decides to test your bicep strength. They keep your hands warm on frosty mornings. They save you from rope burns that scream, “Congratulations, you just learned a new lesson about timing and feel.”

I get it—you want to feel the rope, the reins, the horse’s energy. So do I. But I’d rather feel it without losing a chunk of skin in the process.

Gloves don’t make you weak. They make you prepared. They let you keep your hands in the game so you can keep giving your horse the best you’ve got.

And if anyone questions your toughness or sensitivity, just smile, show them your hands, and say:

“I believe in the Power of Glove.”

You don’t have to wear gloves—there’s no rule here. I do, most days, but you get to choose. The gloves I use are soft, skin-tight, and thin. They offer feel that thicker gloves can’t, and I don’t fumble around ropes, knots, or buckles as much with tighter gloves. There’s no right or wrong—just adapting and finding your own way.

Good luck out there, friends.

Sincerely,
Don