Avoiding potential problems:

Is a great way to run into them in a 'way big' manner.

You simply can't avoid problems with horses. Your best bet is to cover as much ground with spooking, manners, movement, behavior, skills, knowledge, etc. as possible so that when an issue comes up, you and your horse are able to get through it.

Push those buttons. Set up, cause the very thing you don't want to have to deal with (under controlled circumstances) so that you can get it out of there.

Expectations - Why so low?

Horse stumbles over and steps on and bumbles thru poles on the ground. Person thinks poor soul has so much trouble and can't do more until it can go over those twigs without bumbling.

Horse is thinking - this isn't even worth the effort so who cares.

Person is now scared to ride horse over these twigs because person doesn't want horse falling with person on.

Horse is okay with that concept.

Person would get horse a whole lot better by asking horse to jump over 55 gallon drums (on line). Even 6 mo. old foals can easily jump these barrels and it gives horse enough of an obstacle to put in a little effort. Let them bumble over or hit them if horse wants. Make them immovable then the next time they'll try a bit harder. People are frequently amazed at how nicely their horse jumps.

I had a guy over doing some work at my place today and he was taking some branches out to the alley before he left. I was on the other side of the property. Turns out, he didn't close the gate to the pasture and within seconds after he pulled out of the driveway, I had 4 horses galloping out the gate down the alley and out onto the street.

I ran to grab halters, leads and strings and the horses had luckily, stopped to nibble in a patch of grass. One of the horses is a relatively new arrival and has never been 'around' the outside. This can at times present the worst scenario because this horse could have incited the others to dash down the street. And it's a busy street!!

The good news is that I could act like this was a normal experience and walk up to the milling herd quietly, but quickly, snap my fingers at each one at a time and say 'come here' and they did.

Figuring out how to maneuver all four of them between plants and driveways and cars going by and getting them each back in the gate was interesting but within about 15 minutes of their escapade everyone was back in the pasture.

Of course, this happened at 1 pm in 105 degree heat. Alas, all is good!!

This is a very good reason that it's a good idea to teach your horse how not to spook and run in unfamiliar circumstances, how to be okay with you approaching in a quick manner and to come when called. Ya think?

My horse needs to do what I say.

Why?

Yet, why? isn't even the best question. Your horse needs food, water and sometimes shelter. But, if you are phrasing your wants this way, it WILL affect your results with your horse. And I am not saying that's in a good way. You want your horse to______! But, horse doesn't NEED to_____. Horse wants to ______.

As far as you're concerned, it may be safer for you, you will probably enjoy horse more, you may win more ribbons, if horse does what you say. But, that has nothing to do with horse's needs and as long as you think it, you are not working your way to the solution with the best results either in time frame or productivity.

Thomas Edison said, "There's a way to do it better. Find it!

Figure out how to keep your frustration over what you perceive horse NEEDS to do from getting the best of you. And, figure out how to get horse to think that it's a better idea if maybe he would consider doing 'it' like this.

Frustration never fixed anything.

Low level skills and knowledge aren't a big help either. Use Edison's line as a mantra.