The One That Teaches You: Why Every Rider Needs a Horse That Humbles Them
- afenner
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
Every rider has that one horse. The one that didn’t come easy. The one that pushed every button, tested every bit of your patience, and made you question if you were cut out for this.
And if you’re lucky — really lucky — you had the courage to stick with that horse. Because that’s the one that teaches you.
At Rad Rodeo, we’ve had our fair share of horses that humbled us. Not the easiest. Not the fastest. But the most transformative. And we wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Not Every Horse is Meant to Be Easy
We all love the auto-pilot types — the ones you point and go, the ones who read your mind. But there’s something irreplaceable about the ones that make you work.
The gelding that spooks at shadows but runs with heart.
The mare with a strong opinion and a bigger motor.
The gelding who made you rethink your whole program.
They force you to grow, to listen harder, to lead better.
Growth Doesn’t Happen in the Comfort Zone
Easy horses make you feel capable. Hard horses make you become capable.
Those rides where nothing went right? That’s where you learned patience.
The moments when you wanted to quit? That’s where you learned grit.
Every meltdown, every breakthrough, every unexpected success taught you something a textbook never could.
It’s Not About Fixing — It’s About Understanding
The horses that humble you don’t always need “fixing.” Sometimes they need hearing.
We’ve learned to ask:
What is this horse telling me?
Am I clear, or just loud?
Is this about obedience, or confidence?
The more we listen, the more we learn — not just about the horse, but about ourselves.
These Are the Ones Who Change Your Standard
After riding a tough one, you’re different. You see things sooner. You coach your kids differently. You appreciate the good days more.
You stop needing perfection, and you start valuing progress.
These horses rewire your definition of success.
Final Thoughts
Every rider needs a horse that humbles them — not to break them down, but to build them up the right way.
At Rad Rodeo, we’re grateful for the tough ones. The sticky ones. The ones who didn’t fit the mold but helped us become better horsemen, coaches, and parents.
Because the ones that challenge you? They’re the ones that make you.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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