Horse Training: The Limits of Trust

[@joyhughes5937]

I APPRECIATE Ross SOOOO MUCH. I am recovering from a serious mountain bike accident which was back in 2018 during a race. Apparently my front wheel obscurely hit a stone causing me to go head first over the handle bars, this resulted me having brain trauma! But since then we have moved onto acreage and I was fortunate enough to purchase my beautiful thorough-bred mare. She didn't cut the grain to become a race horse (thank goodness) so was a leaders horse for a company taking people out for trail rides. It was through one such leader I bought my mare from. She was so good on the ride I had when I went to see her. Not your usual TB, no highlty-flighty just the type of horse I wanted. Ross has such a manner and approach with horses I can learn from. I like Mark Langley too, who actually introduced me to Ross through his videos.

[@abrazosadv]

I find it encouraging when a trainer shares the bad innstances from their personal history instead of just saying 'don't do this'. She looks like a sweetie.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

abrazosadv I totally agree. Education comes with a cost. Sharing the story behind the education is what makes people remember it and is what makes us not want to repeat it.

[@leealexander3507]

We all have our regrettable moments but too few admit to them.

[@arlodane2741]

sorry to be so off topic but does anybody know of a method to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me.

[@erika7674]

Thank you Ross for telling us her story. I feel all emotional now.

[@Ginnyshorseproductreview]

It's always the best horses that you can push too far and ask too much of. Bless them, they are too good for this world. If you haven't been there, you don't know how heart breaking it is, and how do you apologize for that? Do your best to never do it again, and be thoughtful with them, even the bravest horses. They're kind and big-hearted enough to forgive and move on, but you'll never forgive yourself. Thanks for talking about this and sharing your two stories.

[@sarahthomson8183]

Lovely video. Thank you for being so honest and reminding us all that trust is a two way street.

[@sallyannefrancis8647]

You are such a good man to own up to your mistakes.. and share them even if they are painful to you. ... Thank you...

[@loredelore7286]

Beautiful story Ross and a stunning horse.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

That’s a great story, thanks for sharing. It absolutely breaks my heart when I ask a horse to trust me and I fail them. They are so forgiving and beyond what we truly deserve. I try to remind myself that no one is perfect and as long as I’m doing what I feel is best for the horse, then I’m doing alright. Chops reminds me of a mare I have who was abandoned at a local farm, she’s an absolute doll and I’m so thankful to have her. I have a lesson pony who is missing an eye as well. It’s amazing how well they get along without it. It certainly bothers us more than it bothers them.

[@Ginnyshorseproductreview]

I think it's much harder for us to forgive ourselves than it is for them.

[@alexandraxxo68]

Aww❤ beautiful story

[@jeanclayton565]

Beautiful horse. You and her are awesome

[@BlueRidgeMtns100]

I don't know what you're doing but it is magic as Chops does not show her age! I am knocked out how great she looks.

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Oh.....I just love your stories. I’m having a really hard time at the moment in my life. But you made me feel good to listen to you. You are a great man. Thank you for sharing.

[@RossJacobs]

Thank you for your kind words. I am sorry to hear you are struggling and I hope life will turn in your favour very soon. Try to find the joy where you can. Best wishes.

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Ross Jacobs thank you

[@scm731]

Thank you for sharing your story. You’ve got a real beauty there. Love from Louisiana.

[@GOINGCRAZYINTHEKITCHEN]

Thank you! I always look at your videos with great interest. I like the mixture of intellectual and practical approach to the horse. Savvy.

[@BlueRidgeMtns100]

A horse at a "rental stable" taught me about a horse's trust. She brought me to Jesus many times (I can't ride a lick) and eventually she just stopped those heart-stopping behaviors. I spent many happy and safe hours on her back. I know it sounds like nonsense but it was as if we were two bodies with one mind. I know absolutely that she knew I couldn't ride because she would signal before picking up speed or charging a deer (she loved to run things down) and wait until I had a handful of mane, had my knees in, and was in position and then she would fire up the rockets and we would run hell for leather down those sandy fire roads or deer trails through the woods. I also learned that there was more speed on hand if her neck wasn't extended and her ears weren't back. I tried so hard to buy her. I was willing to pay any ridiculous price for her. The stable owner refused to sell her and it has been a burden on my heart and mind since 1975 that I wasn't able to get her. I've ridden (ha!) and owned horses since but I'm an old woman now and I haven't forgotten that lovely iron-mouthed, willful, generous, and incredibly fast mare.

[@RossJacobs]

I don't doubt your experience is true. I have had several experiences of beginners riding horses that clearly looked after the rider. I believe it is very real.

[@BlueRidgeMtns100]

:) I'm still here with all my parts so it must be true. My horsemanship consisted of taking my feet out of the stirrups, grabbing a handful of mane, getting my butt off the saddle (because I can't ride) and eventually having knees and thighs that would crack black walnuts. (For wild, uncontrolled speed, you know) LOL

[@tpandw4753]

Also heard of the horse dumping rider as I assume rider was a jerk as are the majority of stable owners... most reasons they had the $$$ in the first place are why they shouldn't even get near horses......P.S. Would have IMMEDIATELY got off chops... position myself between loco quarter (90% time loco owner otw inbred) ..would of preserved trust of chops and gave EDU. to quart.... killing 2 birds with one stone.

[@leealexander3507]

It doesn't sound like nonsense at all to anyone who has ever had a really close connection with a horse. Some people call a horse like that their heart horse. I think it sounds silly but I understand what they mean.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Good story. We've all done it in some way or another and been forced to learn from it. Hindsight being 20/20 and all that....

[@DealersChoiceFan]

My old man Dealer only had one eye. He was an awesome trail horse.

[@BlueRidgeMtns100]

I knew a horse that was blind on the right. Great horse and very willing to do whatever was wanted but only very aware riders were allowed on him because the rider had to be his right sided vision (holes, low hanging limbs, ditches, etc)

[@DealersChoiceFan]

@@BlueRidgeMtns100 Exactly. I watched his left side for things he could not see on narrow trails or in brush.

[@alicewalters7056]

She's a beautiful horse and smart too it sounds like.Enjoyed the video. Good night Ross. Alice

[@SaddleUpAgain]

"Some people will ride a horse as long as the horse lives and they will never get what I try to get as early as I can, for a foundation. I don’t mean that I’m trying to get everything completed, but to get enough there to where if the horse gets troubled he will come to me; or to where I can get to him to come to me for security and cover. Without that foundation I feel very insecure with a horse." TOM DORRANCE - TRUE UNITY: WILLING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HORSE AND HUMAN

[@Ginnyshorseproductreview]

Love your pony! She looks wonderful! My main riding horse is a 25-year-old 13.2 Morgan gelding my dad bought as a yearling, still going strong. Great size! I'm 5'8" with long legs and get comments about him being short too. I think Denny Emerson said something about people who discriminate against short horses are missing out on some really good rides, and they are! I always laugh when people my height or even shorter say they won't consider a horse under 15.2+ or whatever.... good grief!

[@leealexander3507]

My personal horse is the most adorable black arabian stallion. One of my biggest fears is breaking his trust after working so long to gain it. When I got him he had developed a deep distrust of humans which he still has. It makes me fear what might become of him if anything happens to me because he can get aggressive if someone attempts to handle him and fails to pay attention to his clear signals that he's not ready to offer them that much trust yet.

[@gailivey2015]

Chops is only about 26 or 27. I remember when you got her.

[@comesahorseman]

I'm betting that all the good experiences the two of you have had more than outweigh the occasional goof. Enjoy your old friend! You know she's worth more than her weight in gold! 😀

[@scm731]

John Amidon And she knows he’s worth more than his weight in gold.🥰

[@comesahorseman]

@@scm731 I daresay!! 😊

[@carmenslee6234]

What height is she please?

[@RossJacobs]

About 11.2h or 115cm.

[@carmenslee6234]

Ross Jacobs and you rode her at your height of six ft? Wow! I’m 5’1” and I have ponies that are 12hh and I’m thinking I’m too big for them! Might have to rethink this!

[@RossJacobs]

@@carmenslee6234 No. The pony in the thumbnail photo (called May) has never been ridden by me. She is too small. It's not the same pony that's in the video called Chop. Chops is 14h and was at one time my main riding horse for all the work I did.

[@carmenslee6234]

Ross Jacobs oh ! Thank you! I was soo confused about this!

[@Alisainwonderland94]

Aren't there any ways to make her an eye With now days technology, I am sure the eye can be made for the horse Otherwise it is a brilliant horse and very gentle, nothing like my colt