09/03/2026
Fancy Day 7 — Moving Out in Canter
Today’s goal was simple: moving out confidently in the canter.
Fancy is more confident one direction than the other, so we started on her easier side to let her understand exactly what I was asking.
That direction was pretty straightforward. She stayed balanced, opened up her stride and moved forward freely.
Then we switched directions. This side is harder for her, and when she feels unsure she tends to search for safety outside of me. Today that meant drifting toward the barn and having a bit of a tantrum when I held the boundary.
This is where there’s a fine balance between pressure and release — knowing when to push through and when to take a step back.
Too much pressure and we can push them into fight or flight and lose the connection. Not enough, and they learn they can avoid the question.
We had a little dance, a couple firm discussions, and lots of moments to pause when she stopped searching for safety outside the arena and came back to me.
Even after those harder moments, Fancy was able to quickly regulate and reconnect. I want her learning to look to me when she’s unsure — rewarding that connection, asking questions she’s prepared for and never putting her in situations she isn’t ready for.
That’s how we build confidence without taking away responsibility.
