Understanding Resistance in Horses by D/C - Resistance Series #2

Dennis Cappel
Jul 1
2 min read

Clear Mental Horsemanship with Dennis Cappel

Lunging – Resistance series part 2

Groundwork, especially lunging, is one of the first places resistance shows up. It is common to see a horse pulling on the rope to the outside while leaning their body inward toward the handler. This creates resistance on both boundaries (outside and inside), and it is one of the most frequent issues I see during lunging.

Another form of resistance is when the horse tries to flee like a latch on a whip. They may lock their eyes on you while swinging their body out, tightening the line, and attempting to escape. This can be from a lack of awareness on the handler’s part, like a teacher asleep at the wheel on the playground.

Another resistance that comes when lunging is the horse’s lack of willingness to move forward. Sometimes this will show up from them not wanting to work, but more often it is them simply not understanding the instruction given.

To me, all of this is helpful information. I think of resistance like a warning light on a dashboard. If the horse is not willing on the ground, they are likely not ready to ride.

Keep in mind, resistance is not a bad thing; it is just an outward reflection of their thoughts. This is an opportunity for me to help them shift from that uneasy state of mind to one of peaceful confidence and willing agreement. This is an acceptable attitude that sets the state for a positive riding experience.

Mindful Riding,

Dennis Cappel - Master Horseman

www.cappeltrainingandshoeng.com