Beyond the Pattern: Raising Kids With Feel
- afenner
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
In rodeo, we spend a lot of time on patterns — getting the turns just right, the stride just perfect, the shape dialed in.
But the very best riders — and the best people — don’t just ride patterns. They ride with feel.
And at Rad Rodeo, we believe that feel is one of the most important things we can teach our kids — in the saddle, and in life.
What Is Feel, Really?
It’s the stuff you can’t diagram on paper:
Knowing when to push and when to wait.
Feeling the moment a horse braces or softens.
Sensing when your kid needs a pep talk — or a moment alone.
Feel is about reading energy. Responding with timing. Leading with empathy.
We Teach Feel on the Ground First
Before we send a kid barreling toward a can, we show them how to:
Watch ears and eyes.
Sense tension or release.
Adjust pressure based on the horse’s response.
Because the best riders aren’t reactive — they’re aware.
Feel in the Family
Feel isn’t just for riding. It’s how we:
Coach with kindness.
Step in when someone’s struggling.
Step back when they need space.
We model it by listening, watching, and making room for emotion — not just performance.
When Kids Learn Feel, They Learn Leadership
A child who can:
Notice a nervous teammate.
Support a younger sibling.
Speak up when something doesn’t feel right...
That’s a kid with real leadership potential. One who will show up strong — in the arena and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Patterns win jackpots. Feel builds futures.
At Rad Rodeo, we’ll always teach the drills, the turns, and the timing — but we’ll never stop teaching feel.
Because that’s what turns riders into horsemen. And kids into leaders.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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