Episode # 003 - Part 1 Developing Patience, Relaxation and Concentration
In horsemanship, we often focus on teaching a horse what to do. We want the horse to stop, stand still, move forward, change direction, and respond to our communication. But have we taken the time to educate the horse’s mind so that it can understand what we are asking?
In this episode of True Grit Conversations – Foundation Conversations, I explore an important step in Discover Horsemanship Philosophy and Methodology in the Round Pen: Step Three, “Teach Your Horse to Stop and Face You from the Left and Right Directions.”
This foundation step is about much more than stopping a horse and asking it to turn toward the horseman. It is about developing patience, relaxation, concentration, awareness, and confidence through clear communication and a consistent educational process.
The objective is to educate the horse to recognize and understand human body language, respond to the horseman’s position and direction, and develop the ability to stand still and remain attentive.
When we understand the importance of these qualities, we begin to recognize that foundation education is not simply about teaching movements. It is about developing the mental and physical abilities that allow a horse to understand, learn, and respond with greater confidence.
Understanding the Progression of Foundation Education
Before beginning Step Three, it is important to understand the education that has already taken place.
In Step One, we begin teaching the horse to move forward consistently in both the left and right directions. At this stage, we are focused on establishing clear communication and developing the horseman's ability to direct the horse's movement. We are not yet concerned with every change of direction or the horse's specific path inside or outside the round pen. Those skills will be addressed in later steps.
In Step Two, we introduce the concept of extended touch. We ask the horse to continue moving forward while introducing the lariat toward and onto the horse's body. Through a progressive process, the horse learns to become more comfortable with the presence and contact of the rope.
The objective is to help the horse accept this communication without unnecessary resistance and to develop greater relaxation and understanding.
Now, in Step Three, we build on that foundation by teaching the horse to stop, stand still, and turn 90 degrees to face the horseman from both the left and right directions.
Each step contributes to the next. We are not simply teaching a collection of exercises; we are developing a progression of understanding between horse and human.
Understanding What We Want Before We Begin
Before starting this exercise, we must clearly understand what we want the horse to learn and what we intend to accomplish during the session.
Our objective is to educate the horse to:
Stop when asked.
Stand still and remain attentive.
Turn 90 degrees to face the horseman.
Recognize and respond to the horseman's body language.
Maintain an appropriate distance from the horseman.
Remain near the perimeter of the round pen rather than approaching the horseman at this stage.
Begin developing patience, concentration, relaxation, and confidence through consistent communication.
It is important to understand that we are not yet asking the horse to come to us. We are teaching the horse to stop, face us, and remain still.
This distinction is essential to the educational process.
We must be clear about the result we want before communicating that request to the horse. If we do not understand our own objectives, how can we expect the horse to understand what we are asking?
Why I Approach Trust Differently in the Round Pen
Over the years, I have witnessed many different approaches to working with horses in the round pen. One method I have often observed involves running the horse around the pen repeatedly and then turning away, expecting the horse to approach the handler and establish what is commonly described as a “join up.”
My approach is different.
Through my own experiences, including mistakes and lessons learned while working with different horses, I have come to believe that we must be careful about assuming that a horse is ready to approach us or that trust has already been established.
Turning our back on a horse before we understand how it responds to our communication can create unnecessary risks. Depending on the horse and the circumstances, a horse may run away, rush toward the handler, crowd the handler, or display defensive behaviour.
Some horses may shake their heads, threaten to bite, or kick when they feel uncomfortable or challenged. Others may simply remain distant or fail to respond to the cues being presented.
These responses can have different causes, including fear, confusion, previous experiences, discomfort, or a lack of understanding. We must learn to observe the horse rather than automatically interpret every response as an attempt to dominate us.
For this reason, I believe that developing a relationship with a horse requires a more thoughtful and progressive approach.
At this stage of my methodology, I do not invite the horse to approach me. We have not yet completed the foundation education necessary to establish a clearer understanding of one another.
Trust is not something we should assume. It is something we must work toward developing.
It takes time, patience, consistent communication, and a commitment to educating both the horse and the horseman.
Teaching the Horse to Stop and Face You
When beginning Step Three, return to the first principle we established in Step One: ask the horse to move forward consistently and steadily.
We do not need to run the horse frantically around the round pen before asking it to stop. Our objective is not to exhaust the horse or create a situation in which the horse stops simply because it is tired.
Instead, we want to develop a clear understanding of forward movement and then introduce the request to stop and face the horseman.
Ask the horse to move forward. Once the horse has taken a couple of calm, deliberate steps, begin communicating the request to stop.
The timing and positioning of the horseman are important.
As the horse moves forward, step slightly in front of the horse's shoulder, using your position and body language to communicate your intention to slow down and stop. The exact timing and position will depend on the horse's movement and your location in the round pen.
Once the horse begins to stop, take a couple of intentional steps backward and use your hand, shoulders, and overall body position to invite the horse to turn inward and face you.
Your movements should be clear and deliberate. We are not looking to create confusion through excessive movement or conflicting signals. We want the horse to begin recognizing the meaning of our body language.
When the horse stops and turns toward you, allow it the opportunity to stand quietly and understand the exercise.
This is the beginning of developing patience, concentration, and relaxation through communication.
Teaching the Horse to Respect Personal Space
An important part of this step is teaching the horse to remain at an appropriate distance.
You may find that when the horse stops and turns toward you, it begins moving closer. The horse may be curious, uncertain, seeking interaction, or responding to the communication in a way that we have not yet fully educated.
At this stage, I do not want the horse to approach me. I want the horse to remain near the perimeter of the round pen, face me, and stand still.
This allows us to establish a clearer understanding of the exercise before introducing the next stages of our relationship.
Personal space is an important part of safe horsemanship. A horse must learn where to position its body in relation to the human, just as the horseman must learn how to position themselves appropriately around the horse.
We should not rely on physical confrontation to establish this understanding. Instead, we must communicate clearly, maintain a safe position, and progress according to the horse's understanding and response.
The objective is to educate the horse to recognize the requested position and remain attentive without continually moving toward the horseman.
Developing Communication Through Body Language
The “Stop and Face Me” method requires the horseman to become more aware of their own body language.
When asking the horse to face you, consider your shoulders, your direction of movement, the position of your hands, and where you are directing your attention.
If the horse stops but does not immediately turn its body toward you, it may simply look in your direction. This gives us an opportunity to examine our communication and help the horse understand the complete request.
Open your shoulders toward the horse and use clear, consistent body language to invite the horse to orient its body toward you.
We must learn to distinguish between a horse that has stopped moving and a horse that has understood the request to stop and face the horseman.
These are not necessarily the same thing.
The horse may need additional time, clearer communication, or a return to an earlier part of the foundation process. Rather than rushing the result, observe the horse and adjust your approach according to what it is communicating.
The goal is not to obtain a perfect position immediately. The goal is to help the horse understand the movement we are educating.
Working From Both the Left and Right Directions
Horses must be educated to recognize and respond to communication from both sides.
In Step Three, we work on stopping and facing the horseman from both the left and right directions. This gives us an opportunity to develop consistency in our communication and observe how the horse responds when approached through each direction of travel.
We should not assume that because the horse understands the exercise from one direction, it automatically understands it from the other.
The horseman must learn to recognize differences in the horse's responses and provide the appropriate education to help develop greater consistency.
During this step, the horse is asked to turn inward toward the horseman rather than turn outward and change direction. The exercise has a specific objective, and we must remain consistent in communicating that objective.
This process may take time. Some horses may understand the request quickly, while others may require more repetition and a return to earlier foundation skills.
The important point is to remain patient and follow the educational progression rather than expecting immediate results.
For safety, the horseman must maintain an appropriate distance, avoid standing directly in the path of the horse, and work with a qualified professional when the horse displays dangerous or unpredictable behaviour.
Developing Patience, Relaxation, and Concentration
Three particularly important qualities begin to develop through this foundation step.
Patience
A horse must learn that it can stop moving, stand quietly, and remain attentive without continually seeking movement.
Patience is not something we should simply demand. We must educate the horse to understand the exercise and give it the opportunity to develop the ability to remain still.
Relaxation
Relaxation plays an essential role in learning. When we take the time to educate the horse without rushing the process, we create opportunities for the horse to become more comfortable with our communication and expectations.
A horse that is learning to relax can begin to respond with greater composure rather than simply reacting to what is happening around it.
Concentration
Concentration develops as the horse learns to recognize the horseman's body language and direct its attention toward the communication being presented.
The horse begins to understand that the horseman's position, movement, and intention have meaning. This awareness becomes an important part of future foundation and performance education.
These qualities are interconnected. By developing them progressively, we work toward a horse that can better understand the horseman and respond with greater consistency.
Benefits of the “Stop and Face Me” Method
The “Stop and Face Me” method contributes to the development of important mental and physical abilities that become part of the horse's foundation education.
Develops patience — Educates the horse to stop moving and stand quietly without continually seeking movement.
Develops relaxation — Gives the horse opportunities to become more comfortable with the horseman's communication and expectations.
Improves concentration — Encourages the horse to direct its attention toward the horseman and recognize body language.
Develops awareness of human body language — Helps the horse recognize the horseman's position, direction, movement, and intention.
Improves communication — Develops clearer communication between horse and horseman through consistent methodology, observation, and proper timing.
Develops confidence and trust — Builds understanding through progressive education, repetition, and relaxation rather than rushing the expected result.
Improves body positioning — Educates the horse to stop and turn 90 degrees to face the horseman from both the left and right directions.
Develops respect for personal space — Provides an opportunity to educate the horse about positioning and maintaining appropriate space around the horseman.
Builds a foundation for future training — Develops mental and physical skills that contribute to in-hand communication, preparation for the bridle, foundation riding, and performance education.
Educates the horseman — Teaches the human to observe the horse's body language, recognize responses, and improve the clarity of their own communication.
Problems This Methodology Helps Address
Many horse owners experience difficulties with horses that struggle to stand quietly, become impatient, lose concentration, or have difficulty understanding the horseman's intentions.
The “Stop and Face Me” method provides an opportunity to work on these challenges through foundation education.
Difficulty standing still — The horse struggles to stop, stand quietly, or remain attentive during groundwork or other handling situations.
Turning the hindquarters toward the horseman — The horse does not consistently turn to face the handler and may not yet understand the requested body position.
Lack of concentration — The horse has difficulty maintaining attention or recognizing the horseman's intentions.
Crowding the horseman — The horse has difficulty maintaining appropriate personal space.
Impatience and constant movement — The horse struggles to remain still or becomes restless during interactions.
Confusion about human communication — The horse does not clearly understand what the handler is asking.
Difficulty developing trust — The horse appears uncertain or uncomfortable during interactions and may require a more progressive approach to communication and foundation education.
These are potential areas for improvement, not guaranteed outcomes. A horse's behaviour can also reflect discomfort, fear, previous experiences, or environmental factors that need to be considered.
The purpose of foundation education is to understand the horse's needs and develop a suitable educational process rather than simply trying to correct the visible behaviour.
Foundation Education Is Not About Rushing the Result
One of the challenges in modern horsemanship is the expectation that a young horse should achieve results quickly.
We often see the finished performance and forget the education required to develop it. We expect the horse to stop, stand, turn, travel forward, and respond under saddle, but these abilities depend on the foundation established before more advanced work begins.
A horse cannot be expected to understand every request simply because we want it to happen.
Foundation education gives us the opportunity to develop the horse's mental and physical abilities progressively. Each step contributes to the horse's understanding of the next.
Through consistent practice, repetition, appropriate timing, and opportunities to relax, we work toward a horse that understands what is being asked rather than one that merely produces an immediate movement.
This philosophy also influences how we approach young horse starting. Instead of measuring progress only by how quickly a horse can be ridden, we should consider the quality of the education the horse has received and the understanding it has developed.
The final result matters, but the educational process used to achieve that result matters just as much.
From the Round Pen to Performance Education
The round pen provides an environment in which we can introduce and develop fundamental communication skills. However, the purpose of foundation education is not to keep the horse performing exercises in the round pen indefinitely.
The purpose is to develop abilities that can transfer into other areas of horsemanship.
Patience, relaxation, concentration, awareness, and an understanding of the horseman's communication are valuable when preparing a horse for in-hand work, introducing the bridle, developing foundation riding, and progressing toward performance disciplines.
A horse's education should be developed progressively. The skills learned in one stage become part of the foundation for the next.
When we take the time to develop these qualities, we give ourselves a better opportunity to build a horse that can understand and respond to communication in a variety of situations.
Educating the Mind Before Expecting the Result
The “Stop and Face Me” method reminds us that successful horsemanship requires more than obtaining a movement.
It requires understanding how the horse learns, recognizing what the horse is communicating, and developing a method that helps the horse understand what we are asking.
We cannot expect patience without educating patience. We cannot expect concentration without developing awareness. And we cannot expect relaxation to develop simply because we want the horse to stand still.
These qualities must be developed through a thoughtful, consistent educational process.
At RK Performance Horsemanship and through the True Grit Academy, the focus is on educating both the horseman and the horse. We work toward clearer communication, better understanding, and the progressive development of mental and physical abilities.
The “Stop and Face Me” method is one step in that journey.
Before we expect the horse to perform, we must first educate the horse to understand.
Continue Your Learning Journey
If something you watched or read in True Grit Conversations makes you look at your horse a little differently, then the conversation has already served its purpose.
I invite you to continue learning with us through True Grit Conversations and True Grit Academy.
Keep learning. Keep listening. Keep building the partnership.
Russ Krachun
True Grit Academy
RK Performance Horsemanship
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