Do This One Thing to Instantly Build Trust with Your Horse

Ever call your horse and get ignored? Or ask them to move over, only to be met with resistance—or worse, confusion?

I hear it all the time:

“My horse just doesn’t respect me.”

“He’s anxious for no reason.”

“She only listens sometimes.”

What if I told you the root of all those issues isn’t your horse at all? It’s actually how you’re communicating.

And the one thing you can do to instantly start building trust?

Be clear and consistent in your communication.

Sounds simple, but this is where most people go wrong.

We change our body language, our tone, or our intention without realizing it—and the horse is left guessing.

Here’s the truth: Horses crave clarity. As prey animals, they thrive on predictability. The more consistent you are, the safer they feel. And when a horse feels safe, they become relaxed, willing, and connected.

But here’s the other piece most people miss: We have to listen, too.

Clear communication is a two-way street. You can deliver a message with precision, but if your horse doesn’t understand the language you’re speaking, that clarity gets lost. Maybe your timing is off, your energy is too strong, or you’re skipping steps they need. Your horse will always respond with feedback—tension, hesitation, relaxation, softness—and it’s our job to listen.

Our ability to adapt how we communicate based on what the horse is telling us is what separates an okay trainer from an extraordinary one.

Let me give you an example.

A student I worked with had a gelding who was always pushy on the lead rope. She’d ask him to back up, but the cue was different every time—sometimes with voice, sometimes a wiggle, sometimes just body pressure. Once she simplified and committed to ONE clear signal with a consistent release, everything changed. That horse became softer and more attentive within one session. Why? Because he finally understood her.

Want to try it today?

Pick one simple cue—maybe backing up or moving the hindquarters. Practice asking clearly and giving an immediate release the moment your horse tries. Focus on your body language: Is it loud when it needs to be? Quiet when it counts? Are you following through with your message? And most importantly—how is your horse responding? Are they confused? Tense? Relaxed? Willing?

Trust isn’t built overnight—but it starts with moments like this.

The more consistent you become, the more your horse will seek you out, relax around you, and follow your lead.

Try it this week—just one small change in how you communicate—and watch how your horse starts to trust you more.

If you’re looking for more support and step-by-step guidance, check out our Foundation Guide: Groundwork Edition. It’s designed to help you develop a calm, responsive, and connected horse from the ground up—the foundation for everything you do in the saddle.

As a thank-you for reading this blog, take 10% off the Foundation Guide: Groundwork Edition using code TRUST10 at checkout. Click Here to sign up

Let this be the start of a better connection with your horse.