Build Confidence, Not Just Broke Horses: Our Training Philosophy
- afenner
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
There’s a big difference between a horse that’s broke and a horse that’s confident. We’ve ridden both. And at Rad Rodeo, we’ve learned that while broke is useful, confident is powerful.
You can feel it in the way a horse walks into the alley, locks on a barrel, or responds under pressure. Confidence turns ability into performance.
So when we train — whether it’s a futurity colt or a solid older horse coming back to work — we’re always asking: Are we building trust? Are we building confidence?
Because a confident horse isn’t just trained — it’s partnered.
It Starts With Trust
Every ride is a conversation. If a horse doesn’t trust the rider, it’s just reacting — not responding.
We build trust by:
Being consistent in pressure and release.
Offering clear, fair cues.
Giving them time to understand without fear.
Celebrating the try, not just the outcome.
Confidence starts when a horse knows it won’t get in trouble for making a mistake — only redirected with grace and clarity.
Confidence Is Built in Layers
We don’t throw our horses to the wolves. We layer experience thoughtfully:
A new arena with no pressure.
Trailering out without expecting a run.
Walking patterns before running them.
Letting them “watch” before asking them to perform.
When they’ve had time to see, think, and settle, they start to act with purpose — not panic.
Correction Without Crushing
Discipline has a place, but fear has no home in our program.
When a horse spooks, resists, or gets rattled, we check ourselves first. Did we push too fast? Was our ask unclear?
And then we adjust:
Slow down.
Reframe the situation.
Give them a win they can understand.
We want them to leave a session feeling braver than when they walked in.
Pressure as a Tool, Not a Threat
Rodeo horses have to learn to handle pressure. Loud crowds, quick transitions, flashing lights — they’re all part of it.
But pressure should come from the environment, not the person holding the reins.
Our job is to:
Be the calm in the chaos.
Build their tolerance incrementally.
Reward the right reactions, not punish fear.
When they look to us for reassurance instead of reacting blindly, we know we’re on the right track.
Final Thoughts
At Rad Rodeo, we don’t just want horses that go. We want horses that believe.
Believe in the job. Believe in the team. Believe in themselves.
So we slow down to build them up. We ask questions instead of barking orders. And we never forget that the most memorable runs come from horses that feel safe enough to shine.
Because when a horse is confident, it doesn’t just run fast — it runs free.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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