Reset Rides: Why Some Sessions Are About Reinforcing Boundaries

Understanding Tough Days, Trauma Triggers, and Why True Horsepeeps Choose Education Over Giving Up

Ever had a ride where your horse feels like they’ve forgotten everything you’ve worked on? They push through the reins, hunker down, or even bolt. It’s frustrating—but it’s also normal. These are what I call “reset rides.”

Why Reset Rides Happen

Horses, like humans, have good and not-so-good days. Stress, past trauma, or environmental triggers can cause them to revert to old behaviors. In my case, my horse sometimes has cortisol bolt moments—a survival response rooted in anxiety. Despite years of work on his leading skills, this reaction doesn’t vanish completely. It’s part of his history.

The Role of Reset Rides

Reset rides aren’t punishment—they’re about reaffirming boundaries and safety. When my horse gets heavy on the reins or bolts/hunkers down, I have to firm up my asks to remind him of the rules for our safety and peace of mind:

• Soft rein contact matters.

• Forward movement must be calm and responsive.

This isn’t abuse. It’s clarity. Horses need consistent reminders to feel safe and understand expectations. Horses can kill us, whether this is intentional or unintentional (aka accidents). However, we can reduce the likelihood of bad things happening with the right training.

Why Trauma Doesn’t Just Disappear

Some behaviors are deeply ingrained from past handling or breaking-in experiences. My horse’s bolting habit started nearly 18 years ago (I inherited this when he became a member of my horse herd 10 years ago). I can’t erase it—but I can help him manage it better. Each time a reaction happens, it’s smaller and easier to interrupt. That’s progress.

Why True Horsepeeps Continue Education Instead of Giving Up

Here’s a hard truth: selling a horse, breaking it down at a young age through anxiety driven training and overcooking the horse, or sending it to the knackery because it’s “too hard” shows a lack of empathy and care for the horse’s welfare. Unless a professional (vet or coach) advises that the “green dream” is the kindest option for health or safety, giving up is a major red flag of that person holistically.

What sets true horsepeeps apart?

• They commit to continuing the horse’s education, even when it’s tough.

• They understand that horses with trauma need time, patience, and consistency—not disposal.

• They value the horse as a partner, not a commodity.

• They don't give the horse harsh names like (apologies for the bad language) "prick", "asshole" and so on. That is a direct reflection of their lack of basic humanity.

This mindset is what distinguishes a genuine horse person from someone chasing convenience. Horses aren’t machines—they’re sentient beings with histories that shape them. I truly feel sorry for horse's in the care/training of such people in this world.

How Do You Know It’s Working?

✅ The intensity of the reaction decreases over time.

✅ You can interrupt the behavior faster and with less effort.

✅ Your horse returns to softness more quickly after a correction.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Reset rides don’t make you a bad rider. They make you a responsible one—as long as you stay fair and kind. Abuse (hitting, spurring to cause pain) is never acceptable. The goal is to create a safe space for both horse and rider.

Yes horses can bring their moods every day, like we do. So, I am not saying humans are 100% causing this. However, it is knowing how to help them handle their behaviour's in a better way for an improved outcome.

Key Takeaways

• Horses have lifelong patterns shaped by past experiences.

• Reset rides are necessary for safety and clarity.

• Improvement is measured in smaller, quicker recoveries—not perfection.

• Patience and consistency are your best tools.

• True horsepeeps choose education over disposal.

Bottom Line

Reset rides aren’t setbacks—they’re part of the journey. Embrace them as opportunities to reinforce trust and boundaries. Have you had any reset rides? What are you having to reset with your horse? Id' love to care and share our journeys together!