Cappel Blogs

Ever feel like your horse is “out to lunch”? Not at the hay buffet though they would not mind that either.

Before you even get on your horse, it is crucial to read how they are feeling. Horses are always aware of us and if they become too comfortable without respect, unwanted behaviors can quietly develop.

We all strive for that once-in-a-lifetime true connection with our horse. One that displays the essence of a bond that is unshakeable, coupled with trust and respect.

Resistance is never just a physical problem; it is an opportunity to help the horse better understand what we are asking.

When we talk about resistance in the horse’s body, each area brings its own importance, but the hips are especially key. That is because the hindquarters are the engine. They carry the power, the push, and the potential for forward movement.

When it comes to the horse’s ribcage, resistance here can be subtle but very significant. The ribcage is the central part of the horse’s body; it’s the bridge between the front and the hind.

After addressing resistance in the neck, the next area to check is the shoulders. Resistance in the horse’s body is rarely isolated; it is often connected.

When a horse feels stiff in the neck, it is usually not a physical issue; it is mental. The resistance you feel when trying to bend their neck is not coming from the muscles; it comes from their thoughts.

Resistance in a horse’s face, bracing in the jaw, lifting the head, or pushing the nose out is common, especially in green or defensive horses.

Groundwork, especially lunging, is one of the first places resistance shows up.

What is resistance? When it comes to working with horses, resistance shows up in many ways. A horse resists first in their mind with their thoughts that can manifest in their body. In my experience, most resistance stems from one core issue: lack of understanding.

Recently, a customer brought in a horse that was visibly lame. She could barely stand on one foot while I worked on the other, and every step looked painful. Right away, I looked at her x-rays and watched her move. That gave me a starting point—a foundation to begin figuring out how to help her.

I believe horses are mirrors—gentle, intuitive mirrors—that show us what’s really going on inside. That’s part of why they’ve become so popular in therapeutic settings. But I’ll be honest: I think the real healing happens not when we insert structured human frameworks or labels, but when we simply let horses be horses, and let people be with them.

In horsemanship—as in life—clarity doesn't come from knowing everything. It comes from choosing something and sticking with it long enough to fully understand it.

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