Tiny Tweaks, Major Leaps: The Art of Incremental Progress in Riding

Tiny Tweaks, Major Leaps: The Art of Incremental Progress in Riding 

Hello Riders and Dreamers,

I’ve been working with my young colt on trailering. He’s a good boy, and since I had to trailer out to get his Mama post-partum checks, he’s been trailering since he was a week old and is the good-est boy. Well, as you can imagine, a trailer is a big deal physically and emotionally to a foal. And I let him leap in and out like the brave young lad he was. Face first in and face first out. 

Well, he’s coming two, and it’s time he learned to back out. Just another part of his education, and he’s big enough it’s physically ok to back out. Well, after a year or two of only walking out face first, he wasn’t too sure about backing out. 

So I broke it down into bite-sized chunks for him. We started by making sure his back was solid on the ground and he understood backing in his halter in a straight line and in circles. Anyone who’s ever working with a young colt can relate that training sessions with young horses can be unpredictable and, at times, downright frustrating. One day, I remember feeling particularly disheartened. Despite my efforts, progress seemed negligible, and the session was far from smooth.

However, I've learned the importance of recognizing even the slightest improvement - the 1% rule. This principle is about acknowledging and quitting on a positive note, even if it's just a tiny step forward. Or, a step backward, as was the case for us. That day, after a challenging session, I noticed my colt responding slightly better to my cue for a back. It was just a 1% improvement, but it was progress.

It was still far from perfect, and part of me wanted to push further, (hey, I’m human!) but I knew the importance of ending on that small positive note. This approach not only helps in building confidence in the horse but also in reinforcing my own patience and resilience.

And it paid off! After taking the time to ensure we were solid on the ground, we transferred those skills to the trailer, and now he’s backing out like an old hand. And to get there we had to have (a) a clear vision of what we wanted to accomplish, i.e. calmly backing out of the trailer; and (b) an understanding of the process, and being able to embrace 1% improvement, even if we didn’t accomplish our goal in a single day (spoiler alert: you usually won’t accomplish your goal in a single day).

In our quest to become better riders and competitors, it’s easy to get caught up in the desire for rapid progress and significant improvements. We want to be better. And we want to be better yesterday!

But today, I want to talk about the power of vision and the courage to embrace small, incremental changes.

The Vision Beyond the Immediate

When we work with young horses, our vision must extend beyond the immediate challenges. It's about seeing the potential and growth that lies ahead, even when today's progress seems minuscule or, frankly, a bit messy.

The Mental Performance Aspect

This approach is deeply intertwined with mental performance, both as riders, trainers, and competitors. Training young horses teaches us about the uncomfortable reality of gradual progress. It's a lesson in patience, vision, and the mental fortitude to appreciate small victories.

As riders, we must cultivate a mindset that values consistent, incremental improvement over sudden leaps of progress. It's about setting a vision, staying the course, and not getting discouraged by the seemingly slow pace of advancement.

Embracing the 1% improvement rule in our riding, and in life, can be a game changer. It teaches us to be patient, to maintain a positive vision, and to appreciate the journey as much as the destination. So, the next time you feel discouraged by the pace of progress, remember, every small step forward is a step in the right direction.

What vision have you cast for yourself and your horse? What is the 1% improvement you saw or are seeking in your next ride? Write back and let me know!

Keep Riding and Dreaming,

Nicole Burnett

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