Start Light, Build As Needed: Developing True Feel in Horsemanship
- Dennis Cappel
- May 12
- 1 min read
Clear Mental Horsemanship with Dennis Cappel
One of the most important principles in horsemanship is this: start with the least amount of pressure possible and only increase if needed.
If you start too strong, you risk creating resistance, shutting the horse down, or teaching them to brace against you. But if you stay too light and never follow through, you teach the horse to ignore you.
Good feel is a balance light enough to invite a response, but clear enough to mean something.
A common mistake is applying constant pressure without purpose. When pressure never changes, the horse eventually becomes dull. They stop looking for answers because nothing they try makes a difference.
Good feel is not constant. It is intentional and timed.
You apply it in the moment, and the instant the horse tries even slightly you release. That release is what teaches awareness and communication.
Developing feel is really about developing awareness.
Mindful Riding,
Dennis Cappel
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