Rethinking Trailer Loading: Training an Anxious Horse

Trailer loading isn’t always about the trailer. It’s about how safe a horse feels when pressure shows up. In this two-part training series, I work with an anxious horse in real time, slowing everything down to rebuild trust, clarity, and willingness without force, tricks, or shortcuts.

Settling the Debate: Should You Train Your Horse with Food Rewards or Pressure & Release?

R⁺ vs. R⁻: Which is better for training horses?
It’s one of the most heated debates in horsemanship today.

In this post, I unpack why this debate often misses the bigger picture, how each method can backfire (or shine), and why your horse’s perception matters more than your loyalty to one method. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it right,” or if you’re tired of this debate, this piece will help you reframe the conversation – for the benefit of the horse, not our egos.