What if the way you’re using pressure is making your horse anxious instead of connected? In this episode, Josh Nichol flips the script on pressure, showing you how to use it as a tool for trust and growth—not fear.
Key Takeaways You’ll Love:
Pressure Can Build or Break Trust
Predatory Pressure: Makes your horse anxious and reactive.
Relational Pressure: Helps your horse think, engage, and feel safe.
The 2 Key Releases:
Mental Engagement: Release pressure when your horse focuses on you—it builds connection.
Internal Softness: Wait for relaxation, not just movement. This is where trust lives.
Stop the Tension Cycle
If your horse is responsive but tight or spooky, you’re creating fear, not connection. It’s time to rethink how you’re using pressure.
Teach Thinking, Not Reacting
Pressure done right helps your horse process challenges calmly instead of panicking.
Two Game-Changing Exercises:
Gentle Desensitizing: Introduce pressure (a saddle pad, a halter), pause at tension, and release when your horse engages.
Feel Through the Reins: Wait for softness in your horse’s body before releasing—build trust with every touch.
Pressure = Confidence
Josh reframes pressure as a life skill that prepares your horse to face the world with clarity and confidence.
Why This Matters:
When used correctly, pressure becomes a conversation—not a command. It builds the trust and connection you’ve been searching for with your horse.
