A lot of what goes wrong in horse sport doesnt start with cruelty. It starts with frustration.Pressure builds and progress slows, and expectations start running the ride. Riders are still showing up and trying to do right by their horse. But frustration pulls the nervous system out of regulation, patience fades, curiosity slips away, and harmful action comes before understanding.When that happens, our horses carry the cost.This is part of why equestrian sport continues to face scrutiny. Not because most riders dont care, but because emotional regulation is rarely treated as a core skill. We talk about strength, timing, and technique. We talk far less about what happens inside a riders mind when things stop working.Thats where Laura Graves perspective feels especially relevant.In a moment from her NF+ masterclass Laura Graves Troubleshoots Common Flatwork Woes, the Olympic medalist speaks candidly about frustration in the saddle and why curiosity is the most important response a rider can develop. Not as a feel-good concept, but as a practical discipline that protects both horse and rider.Frustration narrows thinking. Curiosity opens it back up.Laura doesnt deny frustration. She names it, then she reframes it.When a horse doesnt respond the way we expect, it usually means something in the communication is unclear. The rider is trying to solve a problem. The horse is trying to answer a question. Both are guessing.Curiosity changes the dynamic. It slows the moment down just enough for the rider to notice what theyre feeling, what theyre asking, and what the horse is offering in return. That pause is not passive. Its active restraint. Its the decision not to escalate before understanding.Thats the work beneath the work..Learning to listen when no one else is talkingOne of Lauras most meaningful suggestions is the importance of time alone with your horse. Not as a rejection of trainers or structure, but as a way to strengthen your own awareness.When there isnt another voice directing every step, riders tend to listen more closely. They notice patterns, they feel inconsistencies, and they start asking different questions. Those questions dont replace coaching. They deepen it.Laura is clear that not every answer you try will be the right one. Thats not the point. The point is staying reflective enough to adjust when something doesnt land the way you hoped.Horses are responding to uncertainty, not defianceA central idea in Lauras teaching is that horses are allowed to be unsure.When a horse responds with tension or inconsistency, its often because they dont fully understand the request. That response is information to work with, not a problem to correct.This shift matters because it removes blame from the interaction. It places responsibility back on the rider to clarify rather than fix. In a sport that is increasingly asked to justify its ethics, that distinction carries real weight.The mindset behind elite ridingLaura also shares that much of what riders hear in her teaching reflects the internal conversation she has with herself while riding. She checks in with what she feels, what she applies, and how her horse responds.That internal dialogue doesnt eliminate mistakes, but it does prevent emotional spillover. It keeps frustration from turning into harm and its one of the most transferable skills any rider can develop.Curiosity is not soft. Its protective.Curiosity gets dismissed as gentle or optional. In reality, its a safeguard. Curiosity is what keeps riders accountable in moments that matter.If more riders approached training the way Laura Graves describes, the sport would be having very different conversations right now. Not because the work would be easier, but because it would be more responsible.Dressage will always ask a lot. The real question is how riders meet that demand when things get hard.Watch the full masterclass on NF+This article and podcast episode offer one window into Laura Graves approach.In her NF+ masterclass Laura Graves Troubleshoots Common Flatwork Woes, Laura goes deeper into the mental and physical challenges riders face, offering guidance that supports better decision-making, clearer communication, and more ethical training choices. Watch the full masterclass on NF+ and explore what changes when curiosity becomes part of your training system.Visit noellefloydplus.com to access this course and the full NF+ training library.

Introduction:Few voices in equestrian sport carry the weight of both competitive excellence and hard-earned perspective quite like Matt Browns.A longtime member of the U.S. Eventing Team, Pan American Games medalist, Olympian, and five-star competitor, Matt has spent decades at the highest levels of the sport. His perspective is further shaped by his partnership with Cecily Clark, an FEI dressage rider whose career and training philosophy are rooted in precision, feel, and the long-term well-being of the horse. Together, their combined experience spans disciplines, systems, and generations of horsemanship.In this open letter, Matt and Cecily speak candidly to the horse world about realities they have witnessed from inside the sport. What follows is not written from the sidelines, nor from a place of outrage for outrages sake, but from lived experience, accountability, and deep respect for the animals at the center of equestrian sport.This letter may be uncomfortable at times. It challenges long-standing norms, entrenched traditions, and the quiet compromises many have learned to accept. But it is offered in the spirit of progress, compassion, and a belief that equestrian sport can and must evolve into something worthy of the horses who make it possible.Cecily and I have taken some time to gather all our thoughts around the recent events In equestrian sports. Below Is the result. Im sure this will piss off quite a few people but sometimes getting a little pissed off is what can finally generate change. Hopefully everyone who reads this will take the time to read it to the end!! We have some proposed solutions so please please read the whole thing!!Elephant in the RoomWe have a huge problem, and I think we need to start admitting it.Horse training, for most of its history, has been extremely brutal. The shadows of the harsh military origins of the sport still cast dark and heavy shadows across our arena walls today, still shaping the way we understand and train our horses. Horses were once tools of war, agriculture, and transportation, and expected to perform as such. They evolved to endure, obey, and survive, and we have responded by labeling anything less from them as misbehavior that cannot be accepted and must be corrected.For centuries weve justified doing some crazy shit to horses in the name of training.If you grow up watching horses be corrected, made to respect, or fixed with rough tactics, these tactics eventually stop looking rough and start looking normal, necessary, and even highly skilled.Weve learned to recognize what science now tells us are signs of fear, confusion, pain, panic, and desperation as disobediences that must be addressed. We have built an entire sport and training systems upon the fallacy that horses are powerful and dangerous and therefore must be made to submit, taught to obey, never allowed to take advantage or win.We anthropomorphize them and mistake their natural instincts for crafty insubordination. But we now know, thanks to modern advanced imaging, neuroscience, veterinary medicine, and generations of observation, that this is wrongheaded. They are ANIMALS, with their own set of instincts and biology that make them behave and react the way they do, they arent schemers capable of spite, and they arent deserving of our often brutal corrections.And unlike ancient times, the world no longer depends on horses, so doing anything other than watching them frolic in green meadows is an unnecessary and frivolous luxury, making any and all reasoning for anything that resembles unethical or mis treatment completely inexcusable.We GET to work with, ride, and compete horses. We need to start treating and training horses like the privilege it is, rather than abusing that privilege in the name of tradition, or the outsider just doesnt understand, or we need to protect the integrity and origins of the sport and not let cancel culture change it.If the only way to preserve this sport is to continue to excuse rough treatment of horses, then the sport should not be preserved.Two things can be true at the same time: we can love horses deeply and still be shaped by and a part of a system that harms them. Admitting one does not negate the other, and unless we unapologetically examine our traditions, they become dogma, and dogma is almost impossible to see from the inside.As we become more educated about our horses, and science debunks myth after deeply entrenched myth about how they learn and experience the world, how can a sport that literally could not even exist without horses expect to survive if its bedrock principle is not the absolute and unwavering protection and preservation of their well-being?The sport cannot become more important than the horse itself.Any rule, treatment, or act that is not completely aligned with a deep love, respect, and reverence for these animals and their unique biology must be purged from the sport.And we must make it very clear to every participant and stakeholder in the sport that we will not look the other way, we wont continue to uncomfortably giggle when were disturbed by what were watching, and we wont keep dirty secrets anymore. This is owning up to and naming our flaws and weaknesses is not cancel culture, its holding people with a great responsibility to our horses accountable. Its breaking from the traditions that will render the sport a brutal relic of the past so that we can move forward with a sport that will finally make us deserving of what these animals give us.Our TraditionsI dont condemn our traditions from atop a pedestal, I condemn them from my own experiences and participation. I do not seek to stand above or distance myself from those who err, rather, I seek to distance myself, and the sport I love, from who we used to be, and help find a path forward towards what we need to be.I think most of us grew up in some version of this sport where toughness was rewarded, and getting it done mattered more than understanding why it was happening in the first place. I believed in this system because it was all I knew, I saw and felt it working, and I was being rewarded for utilizing it with a successful business and FEI rankings.But over the last decade, through many of the heights of my personal and professional successes, my own horsemanship has changed dramatically. Reflection upon moments in my past that Im not proud of, when Ive been a blind acolyte to tradition, has led me towards rebuilding my approach to horses and training them from a place of curiosity rather than force, observation rather than control, and flexibility rather than agenda. Some of this may be to my own professional and competitive detriment, this way of training is not fast or results driven, but it has been to my personal and spiritual benefit knowing that I am trying every single day to be better for my horses than I was the day before, and that I recognize in myself less the rough and tumble horseman of my youth.These changes havent come easily or dramatically - theyve trickled in slowly (far too slowly Im sure if you asked the horses); in the bitter aftertaste of a ride where I lost my patience, in the sharp stab of regret upon seeing the limp of a horse I should have rested instead of injected, in the lingering nausea of shame I felt after watching a video of a double clear round at a five star where my whip made far too many cameos in the performance. These changes were inspired by a disgust in my own behavior, as well as by a what I observed in others.As I made my way up the levels of the sport, and into high performance, into a place where I was supposed to be a part of the upper echelons that represented the best of the best, the cognitive dissonance grew overwhelmingly loud and impossible to deny, because what I saw at the top of the sport from more of an insiders perspective deeply disappointed me.As I was faced with decisions that felt like choosing between my ethics and success, I had to take a much harder look at myself, my actions, my methods, my ego, and start recognizing where I needed to change.Ive had to confront some uncomfortable truths about myself and my history with horses: Ive harmed horses by doing what I thought was right. Ive caused them fear and confusion when I thought I was correcting them. Ive used too much pressure, lost my patience, and blamed horses for my own lack of skill, imagination, and understanding. In an effort to change, Ive sought out therapists, psychiatrists, sports psychologists, and mentors. Ive immersed myself in books, articles and podcasts on mindset, equine psychology, equine behavior, and equine physiology. And I still struggle and make mistakes. I still wish sometimes I could forget what Ive learned and take the quicker, harsher, often times more effective way out rather than actually having to think critically about how to resolve a problem a horse may be having. And still I come up short, despite my best efforts.Lately I see some of the sins and secrets that we all carry, to varying degrees, breaking free and bubbling to the surface, and I cant say Im surprised to see it, knowing what I know about my own misdeeds, as well as those of others. While I dont think I can say that Ive gone to any extremes, I know Ive erred.But I dont think this current moment is simply about viral videos, condemning a few people for losing their tempers or making terrible choices, rather, its about recognizing and trying to rectify a culture that normalizes roughness, excuses pressure driven mistakes, and stays quiet in the name of loyalty, tradition, or fear. This isnt just about a few bad apples, this is about recognizing that we have an outdated worldview that permeates barns, warm up rings, and federation rulebooks.Meeting this moment is about collectively working to repair a system that leaves people under enormous pressure without the education, tools, support, or the emotional regulation they need to do right by their horses. Theres a famous saying by the legendary trainer Ray Hunt: make the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy. Our system does the opposite, often rewarding the wrong ways and making the right ways almost career threateningly hard.And part of our problem is that we all resort to thinking, well, if a horse was being treated so badly, they wouldnt perform so well. Believe me, there are days when I ask myself if training with less force and pressure is actually the right way, because consistently and without fail I watch rough, punishing, cruel, tactless, unkind, stiff, head-wagging, chin-to-chest, restrictive riding get rewarded. And I think, maybe that is the way but then I remember what Ive learned about flooding and learned helplessness in horses, and I remember how I know first-hand that a shut-down horse often behaves more reliably than a happy, unstifled one. I remember how I am literally in awe of horses every day, even after 40 years with them, for the crazy things they let us do with or to them. Ive learned it is a mistake to equate performance and competitive success with a horse that must be happy and well treated. Horses, like humans, have an instinct to survive, and if experience has taught them that obedience equals survival, then we must learn to recognize what that looks like rather than rewarding it.The ProblemsJust get a video!So much of the abuse that happens is so quick it cant be noticed and videoed in time. I saw a horse punched in the face in warm up at a 4 star. A highly respected coach was there directing the warming up of that esteemed rider. They said nothing. The groom said nothing. Rough riding continued but the horse wasnt punched in the face again. I would have had to be videoing before the incident occurred in order to actually capture it. I went and got a steward and told them what I saw, but by the time the steward arrived, the riding had smoothed out (partially due, no doubt, to the fact that the steward arrived). Nothing could be done to the rider because the steward didnt witness the punch it was only my account.At another event I called out a well known trainer for repeatedly and violently jerking a students horse in the mouth after they had fallen off. I went and got a steward as the trainer took the horse back to the barn and continued the rough treatment. The trainer told me to mind my own business. He then approached me after and called me a motherfucking do gooder to my face in front of the steward. The steward told me to walk away (which I did). Nothing more was done, as far as I know.Abuses in our sport run the gamut - Horses being competed with known tendon injuries and lamenesses, or nerved feet. Horses getting nerve blocks before jogs. Horses being lunged in rolkur for the better part of an hour before their dressage tests, legs getting wire brushed and sweat-wrapped with chemicals before show jumping. Water being withheld or made unpalatable, heads being tied up. Horses being intentionally flipped over fences to teach them to back themselves off, rapping legs, using fishing wire, carpet tacks, and inverted oxers to make them more careful. Whipping that leaves raised and bloody welts. Calming pastes and tight nosebands seem quaint compared to what is being done in the name of high level, competitive performance on a regular basis. And this list is by no means complete, these are just some of the things I know about first hand in the high performance world.How it makes me feelI am heartened when I see the good ones out there - the people who have figured out how to train ethically, with kindness and compassion, and also win. But those people are the rarest exception rather than the rule, I can assure you.What Ive seen and what I know, both the extreme, and also the arguably less egregious and mundane: horses being treated as soul-less objects, vehicles for personal success and gain. Horses being yanked on and yelled at, being overfaced and blamed for mistakes. Horses being smacked for whinnying to their friends, kicked in the guts for pawing in the cross ties, bullied on to trailers with lunge whips, brooms and lip chains. I shield my eyes when Im at shows because, even though much of it is not the worse abuse a person can think of, or even what many people would consider an abnormal way to treat horses, my heart cant take watching horses being treated with so little care and compassion. Some abuse is violent, some is just a disregard for the horse as an animal with a soul and a biology different than ours. Some is born out of fear, some out of anger, some out of boredom, some out of routine, and some out of just not knowing any better. From the idols of the sport, to the newbie kid with the under muscled, wormy, lame horse, perpetually attached to a stud chain, there are varying levels of harm, and varying levels of intent.All of these things have made me less able to stomach the sport I love. It makes me jaded, and question hidden secrets behind any success I see, wondering whats actually happening behind the barn doors - because what Ive seen tells me that many of our heroes shouldnt be. I long for the horses being mistreated to misbehave, to protest in the ring, to refuse to participate. But somehow they show up day after day and put one foot impeccably in front of the other, making me feel even more strongly that if we cant change we well and truly may not deserve to keep them.Its heartbreaking. Its soul crushing. It defies anyones sense of karma being a bitch. From what Ive seen, she seems to be just about as blind as justice, and not in the good way.The way the sport is now has taken the breath out of me, and some days it takes the desire to be any part of it out of me as well.I often ask myself whats the point of working this hard to do it right when it often cant compete with the harsh methods that create robots out of the ones that can take it, and chew up and spit out the ones that cant.Speaking up - a recent case studyI know Im not the only one seeing these things, and I know Im not the only one thats disturbed.But when you see the people that do speak up getting pummeled and ripped to shreds, or when you see the inner workings of the FEI Tribunals like we just did recently, you start to understand why those of us who know, stay quiet.At that tribunal, the voices of the witnesses were questioned, devalued, and met with skepticism, while the voices of the respondent and his witnesses seemed to be met with the benefit of the doubt and an eagerness to accept and rationalize the justifications for the documented and corroborated occurrences of abuse. The panel hid behind provably false justifications like: such a short instance of abuse could not possibly cause long term trauma to a horse.Excuse me while my brain explodesIf a child is regularly hit by her parent, but is never hit for longer than 10 seconds, are we to assume that she couldnt possibly be scarred for life from those experiences?The brevity of the suspension and low dollar amount of the fines meted out exposed the tribunals decision for what it was - an unserious and unprofessional lip syncing act meant to look like accountability.The length of time that it took for the accusations against the respondent to be investigated (only taken up AFTER being blasted about on social media), shows how (un)seriously the federations take claims of abuse. Most situations will not have the video and picture evidence that were provided in this case, so how can any one person be expected to speak up and think theyll be taken seriously if all they have are the eyes in their head?The Solutions - accountability, safe ways to speak out, compassionThe approachIf we love this sport, and if we love these horses, we must take real, concrete, uncomfortable steps towards progress, or the sport and the horses will be lost to us.Still, I do not think we should condemn wholesale the perpetrators of abuses. I want people to be held accountable, and accountability is not the opposite of compassion. We can disavow and be horrified by the actions of humans without exploiting that opportunity to be cruel to the human. We must still acknowledge the humanity inside of people who do wrong things. In fact, thats the only way to actually change things. If we cop out and say that only a monster could do such things, then we dont actually face the reality - that humans are capable of doing despicable things, even without necessarily having despicable intentions. And if we dont face reality, we will miss the opportunity to stop the cycle of abuse because we wont be able to change the CULTURE of abuse.Punishment alone wont fix this - education, rehabilitation, and mentoring must be central to any reform if we want any real change.What we are confronting now isnt just a string of individual failures, but a cultural inheritance. In order for the sport to survive, indeed, in order to prove it deserves to survive, we must be willing to examine the systems that shaped us, shaped our teachers, shaped our heroes, and shaped our blind spots. And we must be brave enough to rebuild.The StandardsWe must take seriously and actually require a mandatory certification (and periodic re-certification) process for anyone getting paid to ride and train horses, teach students, care for horses, or run a staff.It must include not just education and proficiency requirements for riding, teaching and general horse care knowledge, but also clear criteria for what constitutes both horse and human abuse.We need to make that certification process affordable and accessible.The EnvironmentWe cannot preach ethics while normalizing poverty level wages for grooms or financially precarious conditions for trainers. Desparation breeds shortcuts, while stability breeds integrity.Bad people are going to do bad things, but most people are far more nuanced then simply good or bad. Good people will do bad things when theyve run out of tools, or run out of patience, or feel the need to produce an immediate result. As professionals, very few of us are in a position where we can afford to not show results and still expect to have a business over time. Not that the free market shouldnt do its work, but the traits of good horsemanship, hard work, talent and good business practices are not usually the most important factors in determining whether a business is successful or not - winning results are.There is never going to be a way to get rid of all pressures, but, creating the expectation, industry wide, that boarding and training businesses will run as businesses - where workers are paid more than subsistence wages, all operating expenses are more than just covered, and training fees are enough so that trainers themselves actually get paid a salary to allow for retirement savings and quality of life. We cannot survive or have a healthy mindset if literally every single horse in training staying on is the difference between paying all our bills that month or not. The number of horse trainers that dont have health insurance or a retirement savings is staggering. The number of grooms and farm workers who lack those necessities is criminal.It sounds simplistic or maybe counter-intuitive, but the easiest way for me to always choose to do right by you and your horse is if you and your horse dont actually matter to my bottom line - because then I can tell you what your horse actually needs, even if what it needs could lose me money. I can tell you the hard things - like that your horse isnt suitable for the job you want it to do, or its not ready to move up to preliminary, without worrying that if I tell you the truth you dont want to hear, Ill lose your business and I wont be able to pay the rent this month. The financial picture Im painting for us horse professionals may sound hyperbolic, but I promise you, its not.The industry needs to normalize charging what it costs to run a functioning and successful business. Its in the best interest of the horses for the businesses theyre in to be thriving.The RulesWe need to shift the culture of training horses away from hardness and towards softness, and our competition rules must reflect those values.If we dont want people to misuse whips, then we should get rid of them in competition, so that the industry itself is saying horses dont need to be whipped to be competed or trained. Will that stop all excessive whipping or all heavy handedness? Of course not.But, people train at home for what the competition tests. If Im competing in an FEI where I cant carry a whip in to the ring, Id be silly not to practice without a whip at home. And then maybe I start learning how to not rely on my whip to get my horse in front of my leg.Whats modeled and accepted at shows will carry over to training at home, so we need to be far more bold in making our competition rules reflect our ethics, as well as more regularly calling out mistreatment on show grounds. We need our officials to be brave. We need observers to be brave - and believed.We need all of our warm up rings to be videod, from dawn to dusk, so that we can show that we take how horses are being ridden seriously. A few stewards cannot see everything that is happening in every warm up at all times, get riders in to the ring on time, and check equipment.There needs to be real accountability for cases of mistreatment, and I didnt see it at a stewarded horse show can no longer be our fallback reason for lack of accountability.OversightThe federations need to have an independent oversight board that is made up of veterinarians, equine behavioralists, animal ethicists, sports ethicists, human resource professionals, workers rights ethicists, and more, to advise the federation and sign off on all rules.The Workers - the WitnessesWe need to create a system where whistleblowers feel protected, so that they wont feel the need to use social media to arbitrate their grievances.There needs to be something like an independent grooms union that makes clear to every groom and person that works in a barn what is ok and whats not in terms of employment conditions and treatment.That union needs to have a supportive reporting system in place and people like union reps that can help someone through the process of reporting and documenting mistreatment of humans or horses. The union should conduct random and regular barn visits, conducting oversight and creating an environment of support and resources for barn workers, and an expectation among professionals that it is not the duty of our workers to keep our secrets, rather it is our duty to create a healthy and safe environment for our horses to live, and our employees to work.We MUST create a better and safer yet effective way for people to speak out so that bad actors can be identified, and held accountable. If there is a reliably effective system in place we wont need social media to police the industry.AccountabilityWe need to create a system that can adjudicate fairly and transparently, without needing to have it out in the court of public opinion. Where people can do their time, focus on rehabilitation, and, depending on the severity of the crime, be welcomed back in to the fold.I want there to be a published list of verbal warnings given out at any venue, public or private, rated or not. Mistreat a horse at a schooling show? The person running that show needs to report it to the federation. Mistreat a horse out schooling? The person running the facility must report it to the federation. Anything that ends up going unreported must be a strike against the venue.Any person on that list must be contacted by the federation and automatically required to participate in an educational program and mentorship with oversight. Anyone displaying a pattern of abuse, or egregious abuse must be referred to an independent tribunal for investigation and arbitration.So many of the abusers only do so because they know no other way. We can give people a chance to become educated and to do better. We can make the expectations clear enough to every person entering the sport that abusive methods will not be tolerated.We can actually do something about this we just have to actually DO SOMETHING and stop pretending the problems dont exist in hopes that no one will notice, in a misguided effort to protect the sport. Denying our problems is not protecting the sport, its aiding and abetting it, making us all complicit in its sins, and putting the sport MORE at risk. So we need to turn the sport in, hold every one participating in it accountable, so that it can become better and able to last long in to the future.The Inflection PointI know my perspective will anger some and comfort others. I know some people will find me jealous, naive, idealistic, threatening, or just downright wrong. I know some will say my softness is weakness, and also know some will be very mad at me for what Ive said and insinuated. I know Ill be called a motherfucking do gooder, and Im sure far worse, by many - to my face, on social media, and behind my back. My dressage scores may suffer. My business may suffer.I have wanted to say so much of this before. Ive wanted to expose the bad actors and see them held accountable for their transgressions. Ive wanted to be far more specific, making those Im speaking of far more identifiable than I am here. And Im sure Ill get pushback from those who think Im weak for not doing so.And while its true, I am scared of what speaking out could do to my own standing in the sport, ultimately this is about more than me, and its about more than just naming and shaming individuals, because focusing on the individuals wont bring about the cultural and systemic changes that are truly needed right now.We stand at a cross roads in equestrian sport. Our social license is fraying and our welfare standards are stuck in a bygone, analog era.This moment is asking us which future we want for our sport, and whether that future will be built on the wobbly and often indefensible foundations of the past - the hard path of tradition, denial, and quiet complicity; or if we will instead choose to start anew with a system that truly values, promotes, and enforces the ethical treatment and training of horses - the soft path built upon education, science, compassion, and humility.The soft path is the only future that I believe is actually worthy of the horses who give us everything. And we should choose it, not because it protects the sports image and ensures its continuation, but because its the one that protects the very horses who allow the sport to exist at all. Protecting only the sport and its traditions, and not the horses themselves, will only ensure the sports demise. Horse welfare cannot be an afterthought, or an inconvenience to the sport, it must be the entire point of the sport.I dont want to be a part of a sport that survives by keeping secrets. I want to be a part of a sport that thrives because it chooses to evolve.Matt and CecilyPhoto credit: Tina Fitch for Shannon Brinkman and Shannon BrinkmanAdditional ResourcesListen to Matt Brown on the Dear horse World podcast:Groundwork and Horsemanship with Tik Maynard on NF+Performing Under Pressure with Dr. Jenny SusserLearn how Energy can Increase Connection with Your Horse from Cassandra Ogier

A month ago, I had the privilege of judging the Heart of the Horse competition, created by Niki and Dustin Flundra. Thesetrainer challenges often carry a certain stigma, as opinions can be quite polarized. The main reason I accepted Nikis invitation was simple: she is not interested in mainstream horsemanship. She is in it for the horses, deeply committed to representing the authentic lifestyle of working cowboys. That is a value we share, and it made saying yes an easy decision.I wanted to share this experience to offer a perspective from the other side of the fence. My hope is that these reflections bring clarity and appreciation for both the horses and the trainers.Learn more about my approach through my masterclasses here.How the Judging WorksCompetitors are scored across 10 components for each training session, with marks ranging from 10 to 15 points per element. Each of the three judges works independently to avoid bias, there is no discussion of scores during sessions. This structure is designed to keep judging fair and objective.One of the most challenging aspects as a judge is that we score each element, not just the final picture spectators see. A horse-and-rider team might shine on the final obstacle but lose significant points earlier in the process. Even an outstanding finish cannot erase deductions from previous rounds. To win, a trainer must demonstrate consistency across every stage, not just in the finale.My Observations of the CompetitorsBruce ChristieBruce is a skilled horseman I know personally, and I respect both his horsemanship and his integrity. His horse started out worried and reluctant, but Bruce showed patience and professionalism. Day two brought challenges with forward motion, which cost valuable points despite his thoughtful approach. By day three, Bruce and his horse made a remarkable comeback, completing all requirements and excelling on the final course. If results were based solely on the last round, Bruce would have won outright. Unfortunately, the deficit from day two held him back. Still, his horsemanship left a lasting impression, and his little mare walked away with more confidence than she began with, that is a true win.Mitch ZellerI hadnt met Mitch before but knew of his background and expected him to be a fine hand. He chose a striking Palomino mare, sensitive, intelligent, and looking for clarity. Mitch started strong, leading after day one. On day two, he again led the standings and showed great consideration as his mare grew tired, choosing patience over pushing. His final round was thoughtful, though he was unable to complete one obstacle, which cost nearly 30 points total across the judges. Mitchs willingness to put his horses well-being first earned my respect, and I would trust him with any young horse.Pat ParelliPat brought both experience in sharing his knowledge and a deep respect for the traditions he carries forward. His horse tended to retreat inward rather than overreact, and Pat worked steadily each day, making progress through small challenges. His final round was consistent, with points earned across the board. Pat showed a great ability to set up a clear system that guided his horse to the finish line. In the end, his steady accumulation of points secured him the win, though just by a hair.Results and TakeawaysFinal standings placed Pat first, Mitch a close second, and Bruce in third. Yet from where I sat, all three men demonstrated true horsemanship. None of them sacrificed their horses for the sake of a ribbon, and all showed integrity.The real victory lies in how each trainer chose to honor their horse in the moment. That is what builds trust, longevity, and true partnership.Suggestions for the FutureOne area I believe could be refined is how we weight the scoring. At present, trainers are evaluated on 10 elements for each round, with an additional 25 discretionary points for how well they set their horse up for the future. This part of the scoring is meant to capture not just competency in the moment, but the quality of horsemanship that ensures a horse leaves the process more confident and prepared.Going forward, I would like to see this element carry even greater weight. To me, how a horse finishes, especially if they come through a struggle with more confidence, is every bit as important as how they move through obstacles. Its not just about getting through the course; its about building a horse for the long term.I dont see this as a failure in the system, but rather part of an ongoing process of refinement. Each year gives us the chance to learn, to adjust, and to make the scoring reflect more fully the values we all want to see: authentic horsemanship and setting horses up for success.Closing ThoughtsHeart of the Horse is unique because it celebrates more than performance, it honors the lifestyle, the values, and the integrity that horses deserve. Judging it was a privilege, and I am grateful to Niki and Dustin for inviting me. I am equally grateful to Bruce, Mitch, and Pat for the example they set in the arena.At the end of the day, ribbons fade, but true horsemanship leaves a mark that lasts far longer.All photos were taken by Wild M PhotosThis piece was written by renowned horseman Josh Nichol, whose relational horsemanship philosophy has helped riders worldwide build deeper partnerships with their horses. He also shares a collection of in-depth courses on NF+, where riders can explore his approach through groundwork, riding, and problem-solving lessons. Learn more about Josh by visiting his website: https://joshnichol.com/

When U.S. five-star eventer Matt Brown looked back at one of his proudest competition rounds, he did not see the confident partnership he thought he had. Instead, he saw a horse responding to pressure, not trust. That realization sparked a turning point in both his horsemanship and his outlook on what it really means to be a leader in the saddle.In this episode of Dear Horse World, Matt joins Nolle Floyd for a candid conversation about tradition, vulnerability, and the courage to question the habits we inherit in horse sport.Meet Matt BrownMatt Brown is more than a decorated event rider. He is an Olympic team alternate, Pan American Games team silver medalist, and respected coach who runs East West Training Stables with his wife, Cecily. Beyond competition, Matt is known for his thoughtful writing in The Chronicle of the Horse, where his recent piece Its Time to Let Go of the Whip challenged the industry to rethink long-standing practices.What sets Matt apart is not just his record in the ring. It is his willingness to speak openly about the invisible pressures riders face, from performance expectations to the cultural weight of tradition.Tradition vs. Progress: Why the Whip Became a Turning PointMatts decision to stop carrying a whip in competition was not about making a statement. It was about alignment and realizing that leadership built on compliance was not the kind of partnership he wanted with his horses.For him, the whip became a symbol of something larger: the unspoken stories we inherit about power, control, and belonging. Letting it go meant asking harder questions:What does true leadership look like without force?How does tradition help or hold us back from progress?Can we evolve without shame for how we have ridden in the past?Redefining Strength Through VulnerabilityOne of the most powerful threads in Matts story is how his own healing journey intersected with his horsemanship. As he worked through personal challenges, his definition of strength began to shift from control and pressure toward softness, trust, and connection.Instead of viewing vulnerability as weakness, he now sees it as the very thing that deepens his partnership with horses. And as he shares in the podcast, this shift did not just change how he rides. It changed how he shows up in life.What Riders Will Take AwayListeners will leave this conversation with:Permission to question tradition without fear of judgmentClarity on pressure vs. connection, and how subtle habits influence the partnershipEncouragement to redefine strength as softness, awareness, and honestyHope for cultural change in a sport that often resists itWhy This Matters for the Horse WorldAt NOLLE FLOYD, we believe that real progress in horsemanship comes from courage. The courage to examine old beliefs, to speak honestly, and to prioritize the horses voice. Matts story is a powerful reminder that change does not start with rules or bans. It starts with individual choices, made rider by rider.

Trailering does not have to be a stressful or unpredictable battle. Yet for many horse owners, the thought of loading up for a vet visit, show, or emergency brings a knot to the stomach. Whether it is a horse planting its feet, rushing backward, or trembling once inside, horse trailering issues can turn a simple trip into a high-stakes challenge. With over half of owners reporting horse trailer anxiety or refusal, the need for reliable, safe, and repeatable training is clear. Tik Maynards new NF+ Masterclass delivers real solutions that work for both horse and rider.Why Trailering Problems PersistMany owners treat loading as a single skill instead of the result of groundwork, trust, and communication. This often leads to frustration when a horse resists or becomes unsettled. Problems like a refusal to load, scrambling inside, or backing out too quickly can stem from:Past negative experiences or traumaLack of consistent groundworkFear of tight spaces, movement, or noiseAnxiety from the handlers own stressWhen unaddressed, these horse trailering problems can escalate, making every trip a gamble.A Better Way to TrainThe new Tik Maynard Masterclass addresses the root causes of horse trailer stress instead of focusing only on mechanics. Through step-by-step guidance, Tik shows how to read your horses behavior, identify specific fears, and build the communication needed for confident, low-stress loading. His method works for any horse, any trailer, and any situation whether you are a first-time owner or a seasoned competitor.Key takeaways include:Understanding horse psychology to recognize early signs of tensionGroundwork exercises that prepare your horse for loading without a trailer presentReal case studies showing solutions for common horse refusal to load situationsWhy NF+ is the Best ChoiceFree YouTube content and other training programs often offer one-size-fits-all fixes. NF+ prioritizes flexibility, safety, and horse-first practices. The NF+ library gives members access to over 200 courses and 700 videos across all disciplines, plus opportunities to connect directly with trainers. This course is backed by Tiks experience as both an international competitor and respected horse trailer safety educator, giving riders confidence that they are learning from a trusted, proven source.NF+ members benefit from:Accessible, affordable training without travel or scheduling conflictsSkills that extend beyond trailering to improve overall horsemanshipA supportive, like-minded community for guidance and encouragementBenefits You Can ExpectBy following Tiks proven system, you will gain:Consistent, calm loading experiencesA horse that arrives focused and ready to workThe ability to travel without relying on extra handsConfidence in emergency situations requiring horse trailering safetyThis is not just about getting your horse from point A to point B. It is about building a partnership you can rely on anywhere.Real-World Scenarios AddressedWhether you are hauling to a show, heading to a vet appointment, or evacuating due to a wildfire, Tiks approach prepares both you and your horse to handle the pressure. Case studies in the course show everything from groundwork for nervous loaders to solutions for horses that panic once inside. You will see exactly how to manage common problems such as:Fear of the butt bar or dividerRushing backward off the rampHesitating at the ramps edgeAnxiety from trailer movement or noiseTake Control of Your Trailering ExperienceReliable horse trailering tips can be the difference between a safe, calm trip and a stressful one. This NF+ Masterclass gives you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make trailering just another easy step in your riding routine. With a calm, confident horse and a clear plan, you will be ready for whatever the road brings.Call to ActionJoin NF+ today and watch Tik Maynards Complete Trailer Loading Masterclass. Learn the groundwork, techniques, and strategies to make horse trailering safety second nature for you and your horse. Do not wait until an emergency forces you to test your skills. Start training now for confident, stress-free loading every time.

For many riders, theres a moment when technique alone stops creating progress. Youve tried new exercises, adjusted tack, sought expert advice, yet something in thehorse-human connection still feels out of reach. This is where energy awareness, intuitive horsemanship, and a grounded presence can make all the difference. The Reflective Horse with Cassandra Ogier offers an accessible, real-world path to this kind of relationship, bringing subtle communication and mutual trust into everyday horsemanship.Why energy and intention matter in horsemanshipHorses respond to far more than cues or aids; they respond tohow we show up. From our breathing to our body language to our unspoken thoughts, every interaction carries an energetic message. Cassandra Ogiers Equine Guided Empowerment approach makes this communication clear and practical, removing the mystery and giving riders the tools to work with it intentionally.Through her work with free-roaming horses, Cassandra shows that leadership doesnt have to mean dominance. Instead, it can come from the quiet confidence and clarity horses naturally trust, what she callsLead Mare Energy. By focusing on mindful horsemanship practices like grounding, observation, and spatial awareness, riders begin to see that trust is earned in still moments as much as in movement.Practical skills for a calmer, more connected partnershipThe Reflective Horse course is structured so you can start applying these concepts immediately, whether youre working in-hand, riding, or simply being with your horse. Each session blends theory with hands-on exercises, including:Grounding and emotional regulationBefore asking anything of your horse, you learn to steady your own body and mind. Simple breathing and awareness techniques help you shift from a reactive state into a grounded one, something horses notice instantly. This steadiness becomes a foundation fortrust-based horsemanship.Reading and respecting energy layersEvery horse has an energetic field that shapes how close they are comfortable with you being. Learning to recognize these energy layers builds mutual respect and reduces tension. In practice, this awareness leads to smoother groundwork, clearer communication, and a stronger sense of safety.Walking with intention and presenceExercises like walking from center teach you to move in a way that naturally draws your horses attention and cooperation. This isnt about being louder or more forceful, its about aligning your movement, energy, and focus so your horse wants to follow.Space claiming with confidenceHorses respond to leaders who confidently hold and claim their space without aggression. Through rope work and spatial awareness drills, youll learn how to move into space with clarity, helping your horse understand boundaries and direction without creating fear or resistance.Why NF+ and Cassandra Ogier bring something differentWhile other programs in this space often focus on in-person retreats or abstract theory, The Reflective Horse on NF+ offers an affordable, accessible way to explore intuitive horsemanship at your own pace. You can stream lessons on any device, revisit exercises as needed, and integrate them into your daily barn routine.Cassandras decades of experience in both traditional riding and equine-guided education give her a rare perspective. One that blends the practical with the mindful. Her methods feel grounded, inclusive, and achievable for riders of all levels, whether youre working toward competitive goals or simply want to feel more at ease with your horse.The benefits you can expectBy the end of this course, youll have:Greater awareness of your own energy and its impact on your horseTools to calm reactivity in both yourself and your horseA stronger sense of safety and trust in groundwork and ridingA relationship built on clarity, respect, and mutual understandingConfidence in handling new situations without losing connectionThis isnt about fixing problems with force. Its about becoming the kind of partner your horse already wants to follow; steady, clear, and present.Your next step toward connectionIf youve ever felt like youre missing a piece in your horse-human connection, The Reflective Horse is your chance to explore it in a way thats practical, respectful, and deeply rewarding.Stream The Fundamentals of Energy with Cassandra Ogier on NF+ and start building the calm, confident presence your horse can trust, on the ground, in the saddle, and in every moment in between.

Many riders feel stuck, unsure how to progress without sacrificing their horses comfort or their own confidence. The Karl Cook videos on NF+ offer a rare combination of elite skill, honest conversation, and biomechanics-based strategies that help riders move past frustration and into purposeful, horse-first riding. Whether youre navigating show ring challenges or refining your everyday training, Karls approach offers the clarity and depth missing from much of the equestrian content available online.Why the Karl Cook videos stand outMost online equestrian training is either overly simplified or hyper-technical without context. The Karl Cook NF+ series bridges that gap. His five-course bundle combines performance-level knowledge with clear explanations of why techniques work, ensuring riders understand both the mechanics and the mindset behind them. Each course is filmed in a cinematic, long-form style that gives you the feeling of being right there in the arena, absorbing the subtleties of rider-horse communication.Karl doesnt just share polished wins. He opens up about mistakes, mental pressure, and how to adapt under real-world conditions. This vulnerability, paired with high-caliber instruction, makes his content equally relevant for competitive riders and thoughtful horse owners who value ethics and understanding as much as results.A complete learning path for thoughtful ridersThe Karl Cook video bundle is more than a collection of lessons. Its a structured, five-course progression designed to help riders at any stage refine their skills while strengthening the partnership with their horse.Strategic riding that works under pressureLearn to plan, adapt, and execute rides with intention. Karl explains how to think like a strategist in the saddle, adjusting to changing conditions without losing feel or focus.Building a functional positionPosition is more than posture. This course shows how balance, alignment, and subtle adjustments influence your horses way of going, helping you ride with clearer aids and less tension.Handling disappointing ridesCompetition setbacks and training plateaus happen to everyone. Karls honest look at failure helps riders develop emotional resilience and a problem-solving mindset.Creating an adjustable, rideable horseResponsiveness without rigidity is the goal. Youll learn how to encourage softness and adjustability while keeping your horse confident and willing.Understanding forward movementTrue forward isnt about speed. This course explains how forward energy supports rhythm, balance, and control, making every other element of your ride easier.Addressing the pain points riders faceFrom the early stages of competition to seasoned show experience, riders often share the same frustrations; plateaus, inconsistent performance, and conflicting advice. The Karl Cook videos directly address these issues by:Offering clear, repeatable solutions instead of quick-fix drillsExplaining biomechanics and horse psychology in rider-friendly termsValidating the emotional side of riding, helping you stay confident and curiousProviding premium instruction that can be rewatched as your skills growThis is the kind of structured, values-based education that bridges the gap between lessons and real-world application.Why NF+ is the best place for Karl Cooks coursesCompeting platforms may have elite instructors, but they often fall short in delivering the blend of authenticity, technical depth, and ethical grounding that NF+ offers. While other services might focus on volume or trends, NF+ prioritizes cinematic storytelling, thoughtful pacing, and horse-first training philosophies.NF+ also offers community features and live Q&A sessions that help you connect with other riders, ask Karl follow-up questions, and continue the conversation long after the course ends.The value you getChoosing the Karl Cook NF+ bundle means youre investing in more than just training tips. Youre building lasting skills, gaining perspective from a respected competitor, and ensuring your riding aligns with the values that matter most to you and your horse. Youll leave each session with practical steps you can try immediatelyand the understanding to adapt them to your own horse and situation.Start riding with purposeThe difference between going through the motions and riding with clarity is the education you choose. The Karl Cook videos on NF+ give you the tools, insight, and confidence to ride in a way that benefits both you and your horse. Whether youre working toward your next show or simply striving for better rides at home, this series will help you get there with integrity and skill.Get the full Karl Cook experience today. Access all five courses in the NF+ bundle and start riding with the clarity, feel, and purpose your horse deserves.

Have you ever seen a guy rope a filly, start a colt, tell a story, teach a lesson, drink Earl Grey tea, and ponder the grit that hardship bringsall without removing a toothpick from the corner of his mouth? I have, twice.This was my second year riding with Martin Black, co-author of Evidence-Based Horsemanship and one of the most insightful teachers Ive ever met. His clinics are equal parts humbling and inspiringa masterclass in not just riding but understanding horses on a deeper level.Tik at Martin Black ClinicDay 1: Roping Lessons and the Art of TimingThe first day of the clinic set the tone. While practicing roping, I missed 26 times in a row. With all the patience of a seasoned teacher, Martin watched, then calmly offered a single piece of advice: Throw a little earlier. That one tip changed everything. It was a reminder that sometimes the simplest feedback can be the ticketif youre willing to listen. Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionTik at Martin Black ClinicDay 2: Tack MattersDown to the Smallest DetailsOn day two, Martins attention to detail was on full display as he walked me through unrigging a western saddle. Eleven times he showed me how to properly slip the needle of the back cinch buckle through the ring of the front cinch buckle, then hang them neatly from a round piece of leatherwhose name I still dont know.More importantly, he emphasized leaving the back cinch curved the correct direction, not twisted. That small nuanceone Id never consideredmade a world of difference in the saddles balance and the horses comfort.Tik at Martin Black ClinicDay 3: Stories That TeachBy the third day, Martin started to weave stories into the lessons. One tale stood out: the story of Gene Lewis, a kid who started as a talented bronc rider and went on to compete in jumpers after returning from WWII. Some kids played baseball; we rode broncs, Martin recalled.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionGenes approach to training was ahead of its time. He would arrive at a show with 30 horses, competing in both western and English classes. His versatility and openness to learn from different disciplines left a legacy that influenced riders like David OConnor, who integrated techniques such as riderless jumping to help horses build confidence and think for themselves.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionPractical Wisdom: Weight DistributionBefore leaving, I asked Martin what I should focus on over the next two months. His answer was clear: Weight distribution. It helps with turning, it helps with accelerating, it helps with the backup. You get out of their way.As always, his advice was deceptively simple but packed with meaning. Understanding and applying it would take timeand that was the point.Martins Philosophy on HorsemanshipOne of the things I admire most about Martin is his open-mindedness. I have no prejudice in discipline because there is good horsemanship and bad horsemanship in every discipline, he said, the toothpick still bobbing as he spoke.What horsemanship truly is was left unsaid, but Martins teaching stylegrounded in patience, precision, and respect for the horseoffered all the clarity needed.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionSome More of Martins Memorable QuotesYou got one chance to make a first impression. I rarely see anyone intentionally start a horse clockwise in a round pen, or start handling them in their right eye. People dont realize how little it takes to make a left-sided horse. Lead em, load em, turn em outthere are three experiences right there. And the bigger impression you make, the more lasting it is.Walk up with your hand already out. What you did was walk up at one mile an hour, then you raised your hand at four miles an hour.Sometimes Ill scratch em, and I want them to be like it was a month ago, and you never finished.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionA Final TakeawayOn preparing a horse to lope under saddle for the first time, Martin shared this gem: My target isnt to get em into the lope; its to get em ready to feel like theyre ready to leave the trot. Then its their idea to lope. Just one or two strides.In those few sentences, Martin distilled the essence of good horsemanship: setting the horse up for success and allowing them to make the right choice.What I learned from Martins clinic: the details matter, the stories teach, and the lessons linger long after the toothpick has been set aside.All of these learnings I have integrated into my course teachings on NOLLE FLOYD Plus. If youd like to learn more, click here.Photo credit: Martin Black Collection

The difference between a rider and a horseman? Understanding.You love your horse. You show up, day after day, pouring your heart into training. You do your best to be patient, to be fair. Youve read the books, watched the videos, followed the advice. And yetsome days, it feels like nothing is working.Your horse wont come to you in the pasture. He spooks at the same corner of the arena, over and over. He hesitates, resists, checks out completely. And that whisper of self-doubt starts creeping in.Am I doing something wrong?Is my horse stubborn? Unwilling? Or is it me?Why does this feel so much harder than it should?Maybe youve felt the weight of judgment from other riderslike you should be tougher, like you need to show him whos boss. Maybe youve tried to shut out that voice inside you, the one telling you there must be another wayone that isnt about force, but about connection.Or maybe youre just overwhelmed. From the pressure to get it right. From all the conflicting advice that makes you question your instincts. From feeling alone in your desire to train with kindness in a world that often prioritizes results over relationships.This is an industry issue.Many riders strugglenot because they lack skill, but because traditional training methods often skip over something essential: the horses perspective. We are taught techniques before we learn to listen. We are given tools before we are taught to observe.But what if we approached horsemanship differently? What if we stopped trying to make our horses do things and instead learned how to create a relationship where they want to?Tik Maynards Four Building Blocks to Better Horsemanship changes everything we knew about training horses. Its about learning to see them, hear them, and understand them in a way that transforms your partnership.It all comes down to four fundamental building blocks: Observation, Communication, Motivation, and Play. Lets break them downalong with the challenges many riders face, and how these principles offer a way through.1. Observation: Learning to See Before We DoThe Challenge: You show up at the barn, excited to ride, but your horse doesnt share this viewpoint. Theyre distracted, unresponsive, or tenseand you dont know why.Is it you? Is it them? Are you missing something?The Shift:"Theres no limit to how good we can get at observing a horse. The moment we think weve learned it all, we stop seeing the subtle things that matter most." Tik MaynardMost of us were never taught to pause and truly see our horse before asking for anything. Yet, observation is where everything starts.How Observation Changes the Game:You recognize the small, subtle signals your horse gives before they escalate into tension or resistance.You learn to meet them where they are, instead of expecting them to meet you where you want them to be.You build trust, because your horse knows they are being heard before they are being asked.Try This:Before you pick up a lead rope or tighten your girth, just watch. Notice their breathing, their ears, the way they shift their weight. What are they telling you about how they feel today?2. Communication: Moving from Command to ConversationThe Challenge: Youre going through all motions youve been taught. You ask for a transition, a turn, a movement. Your horse does itbut it feels robotic, disconnected. Or maybe they dont do it, and youre left wondering, What am I doing wrong?The Shift:"The real skill isnt making a horse do somethingits knowing if they understand or if theyre just reacting from stress. Tik MaynardWe often think were communicating when were really just commanding. True communication isnt about making a horse do somethingits about creating shared understanding.How to Build True Communication:Give your horse space to think and respond instead of micromanaging.Notice The Lookthat moment when your horse shifts from compliance to curiosity.Use pressure and release in a way that fosters trust, not confusion or fear.Try This:Next time you ask your horse for something, ask softly firstjust a thought, a shift in energy. If they dont respond, gradually build up pressure, but notice when they understand. Do they respond to phase one? Or does it take more?Then, refine it. Repeat the request a few times, aiming for a lighter and lighter response. Look for The Lookthat moment when theyre thinking with you, not just reacting. The goal? A quiet, clear conversation where a whisper is enough.3. Motivation: Why Your Horse Needs More Than Just ObedienceThe Challenge: Your horse follows your cues, but there is no spark or enthusiasm. Their movements lack energy, their expression is dull, and they seem to be doing the bare minimum. Theyre not resistingbut theyre not truly engaged either. Are they just tolerating the work instead ofwanting to participate?The Shift:"A horse that feels safe is a horse that can learn. Fear blocks understandingsafety unlocks motivation. Tik MaynardMost training relies on pressure and release, but motivation is about more than avoiding discomfort. Its about understanding what makes your horse want to engage.How to Create Willingness Instead of Resistance:Recognize the difference between tolerance and true acceptance.Understand how fear, curiosity, and reward shape your horses responses.Use positive reinforcement and play to shift training from an obligation into a partnership.Try This:Find what makes your horses ears perk upscratches in a favorite spot, a moment of rest, a reward. Build that into training and notice how their enthusiasm changes.4. Play: The Missing Ingredient in TrainingThe Challenge: Training feels like a routine. You go through the process, but cant help wondering if youve lost the feeling of joy that made you fall in love with horses in the first place.The Shift:"The best sessions happen when you stop trying to be perfect and start trying to find harmony. Play lives in that space between structure and spontaneity." Tik MaynardWe forget that horses play by nature. Its how they bond, learn, and grow. When we bring play into training, we invite lightness, curiosity, and connection back into our work.How to Add Play to Your Training:Match Your Energy: Adjust your movement and intention to engage your horses curiosity.Let Play Be Personal: Some horses love liberty, others prefer scratchesfind what excites yours.Stop Overthinking: Be present, listen, and respondplay happens when you let go.Try This:Next time you work with your horse, add a moment of spontaneous play. Hide a carrot on a jump, ask them to unwind from the leadrope, have them touch a target. Watch how their whole energy shifts.Bonus: Watch Tik Maynard Teaches Introducing Play with Your Horse on NF+Partnership isnt forcedits earned, one moment, one feel, one release at a time.When it comes to creating a willing and engaged partnership, the answer isnt found in more techniques or harsher methods. The answer is found in understanding.Tik Maynards Four Building Blocks to Better Horsemanship is an invitation to shift the way we see, listen, and engage with our horses. To replace pressure with partnership. To move from control to connection.Because the real transformation? It isnt just in the horseits in you.Ready to Change the Way You Train?Tik Maynards Four Building Blocks to Better Horsemanship is now streaming exclusively on NF+.Join NF+ today and unlock this cinematic docuseries, plus expert-led courses and a passionate equestrian community.Watch the series now and experience the power of true connection with your horse.Join NF+ and start streaming!

Our very own Tik Maynard is back at Road to the Horse and were throwing a weekend-long watch party to cheer him on!Fire up the livestream and join us here in the NF+ community from March 28 30 as Tik defends his title at the World Championship of Colt Starting in Louisville, KY.Here's how to join us... Catch all the action live (and free!) on the officialRoad to the Horse YouTube. Join our daily watch party threads inthe RTTH forumto chat about the competition, because... Everyone who comments in the RTTH threads this weekend will be entered for a chance to win a free, private 30-minute Office Hours session with Tik!And when we'll be tuning in...Friday, March 282:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT Championship Round 1Saturday, March 2911:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT Tiks Clinic2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT Championship Round 2Sunday, March 30 (Tiks time slot TBDstay tuned!)10:45 AM ET / 7:45 AM PT Championship Round 3, Competitor 1 & 21:15 PM ET / 10:15 AM PT Championship Round 3, Competitor 3 & 4PS if you're attending in person in Lexington, drop by the NF+ booth on the sponsor concourse to meet the team & Tik!