It goes like this. Each and every thought you have carries emotional energy with it. This energy begins at your subconscious level. As your sub conscious mind has a feeling, thought or sense  emotional energy is already attaching itself to it.

It it this energy that communicates with your horse. Before you ever even think of giving a physical or verbal command your horse is already responding to this sub conscious energy.

Think of it like water that is beginning to boil for your cup of coffee. The water is hot long before you actually hear or see it begin to boil. So if you try to touch the water, you can still get burned.  ( I know, not such a great example, but it was the only thing I could think of at the moment.)

Your training for the show pen begins in your sub conscious mind first!

If you want your western pleasure horse to move slowly and correctly then your subconscious mind needs to do the work before your body gets in the picture.

Now just what do you mean when you say sit deep in the saddle? How do I do that?

His answer; when you bring your shoulders back it automatically puts your butt deeper in your saddle. Well you know I had never thought of it like that. So I tried it! And it worked.

Sometimes we just need to hear things in a new way for them to sink in.

It’s a little like attempting to make a scientist out of a painter. Rarely does this work. Just like you, your horse has to have a natural talent and ability and then you build on this natural talent with training.

If you want to compete in western pleasure it’s important to learn what the judges look for in a western pleasure horse. Then when you buy a horse make sure you buy one that has the desire and ability to show western pleasure. This goes for any other event you want to show in.

However, you may find a horse who is talented in more than one event. There are many horses that are considered all around horses who have the talent and mind to compete in multiple events. The All Around Horse is  popular because many people like being able to show in multiple events when they pay the cost to attend a show.

Take a look at this video of an All Around Horse…his sire is Willy Be Invited. Willy Be Invited was top ten in the nation in western pleasure and hunter under saddle. That’s hard to do but he did it!

Choose your horse for the event you want to ride!

You have just lost the points that may separate you from first- second or fifth-sixth.

Practice at home teaching your horse to back quietly, straight between your legs and with little noticeable aids from you.

Treat your backup in the show pen as important as you do your ride. These points count and can be the deciding factor in your win.