If you want a safer, more connected ride, it all starts before you ever swing a leg over the saddle.

Every time we get ready to ride, we face a choice:
Set the ride up for success — or set it up for struggle.

Too often, riders rush the groundwork, assuming that because a horse behaved yesterday, they'll behave today.
But horses live in the moment. Every interaction either builds trust... or chips away at it.

In today's world of horse training courses and fast-paced riding expectations, it's easy to forget that equine partnership development isn’t about fancy moves. It’s about clear communication, trust, and emotional stability — for both horse and rider.

That’s why there are five critical areas we need to check before every ride.
Not just when we’re starting colts — but even when we’re riding our old, trusty, reliable mounts.

Why Pre-Ride Groundwork Is Non-Negotiable

Skipping these checks can lead to problems like:

• Bolting

• Spooking

• Lack of control under saddle

• Dangerous overreactions to small changes

• Broken trust between horse and rider

Without these five pieces in place, you’re riding on hope — not preparation.

The Five Must-Check Areas Before Every Ride

1. Does Your Horse Want to Stay With You?

One of the first things Noah emphasized in the call was the importance of connection:
Does your horse want to stay with you?

"I don't wanna get on a horse that's thinking forward, forward, run, take off, flee, dart."

If your horse is mentally checked out, pulling to the gate, or trying to surge forward without you, it’s not safe to get on.
Instead, your horse should feel drawn to you — like they want to stay connected.

How to Check:

• Put on the halter and immediately ask for a soft backup.

• Notice if they’re leaning into you, distracted, or trying to move past you.

• Reaffirm that your space is their safe place — not something they rush through.

Noah pointed out that backing up is the most underutilized tool in the horse world today.
Before he even puts a halter on, he might back the horse up — because teaching a horse to yield backwards builds a vital habit of thinking “stay with me” instead of “blast past me.”

Quick Tip: Backing should be the first AND last thing you do every time you interact with your horse.

2. Will Your Horse Take Direction?

A horse who stays with you is great — but you also need to be able to direct their feet with clarity and ease.

"I don't wanna get up on a horse and figure out that there's no steering."

Horses thrive when they understand where the pressure is coming from and what they're being asked to do.
They are herd animals by nature — they like being herded when the communication is clear.

How to Check:

• Ask for small turns of the front end.

• Yield the hindquarters calmly on both sides.

• Practice stopping and redirecting calmly.

When direction is missing, horses become insecure — and insecure horses are dangerous horses.

In fact, one of Noah’s coaching students, Renee, was reminded of this while out on the trail with her horse Raven.
Instead of just "pushing through" Raven’s forward anxiety, she practiced slowing her down, asking for breathing transitions, and redirecting her focus onto soft, small tasks — like moving the front end.

3. Can Your Horse Handle Change Calmly?

Change is inevitable — especially when you're riding.
You can take the same trail 100 times, but on the 101st ride, a squirrel darts out, or a plastic bag blows across the path.

It’s not whether your horse reacts — it’s how they handle that reaction.

"The work we do isn't about keeping our horses from reacting. The work we do is about helping them respond well when things change."

How to Check:

• Practice transitions between walk, trot, and canter.

• Introduce small, surprising shifts in direction, speed, and focus.

• Teach your horse that change is a normal, manageable part of life.

Noah talked about using sending exercises to build flexibility.
Teaching a horse to go from walk to trot to canter — and then slow back down off just your breathing — is a powerful tool for helping horses deal with real-world surprises.

Another student, Miriam, asked about what to do when her horse Spanky started to spook.
The advice? Don’t just back him up after the spook.
Pattern-interrupt him before he mentally unravels — move the front end, ask for a backup, or redirect his focus the moment you feel distraction creeping in.

Key Mindset: Instead of thinking "how do I fix the spook?" start thinking, "how can I connect earlier?"

4. Is Your Horse Soft and Willing?

Noah emphasized it:
Softness is safety.

"There's nothing more terrifying than being on a horse that is taking off and you've got no steering."

Before you mount, check:

• Can you softly tip the nose laterally?

• Will your horse give you vertical flexion with a light touch?

• Is there any brace or fight when you pick up the reins?

A horse that feels like a Mack truck on the ground will feel 10x heavier under saddle.

Softness also builds responsiveness.
When you ask for flexion, you’re preparing for clear steering, soft stops, and emotional flexibility.

And remember: it’s not just about mechanical yielding. It’s about building a willing heart — a horse that offers softness because they trust you.

5. Has Your Horse Been Properly Desensitized?

Noah made this point crystal clear:
Most people don’t desensitize their horses enough.

"It's not about violent flagging and shaking. It's about connecting with them meaningfully while they're uncomfortable."

When you desensitize thoughtfully:

• You expose your horse to uncomfortable stimuli.

• You help them process fear while staying connected to you.

• You reward softness, curiosity, and resilience.

And it’s not just about standing still.
Noah reminded everyone: desensitizing should happen in motion — because fear doesn't wait for your horse to stand still politely before it hits.

One example he gave was preparing horses at home for unpredictable weather events.
Whether it’s a hailstorm (like Karen's concern with her horse) or a new obstacle on a trail, you want your horse to already have a wide foundation of "we've handled new stuff together before."

That way, even when life throws real surprises at them, they have a solid base to stand on.

Small Moments Build Unbreakable Bonds

Every five-minute groundwork check-in, every back-up before the halter, every soft flexion under slight pressure — it all adds up.
When you stay attentive to these five areas, you’re building:

• A connected horse who wants to stay with you

• A willing partner who trusts your direction

• A resilient athlete who handles change without panic

• A soft, responsive ride

• A brave heart who looks to you for support, not escape

"Each interaction, when you approach it with intent and meaning, is very powerful."

Five minutes of meaningful connection will always outweigh two hours of distracted riding.
Your horse knows the difference.
And honestly? So do you.

Build an Unbreakable Bond — One Ride at a Time

If you want to stop second-guessing your safety — and start enjoying every moment you spend with your horse — it’s time to go deeper.

Our Unbreakable Bond Elite Membership gives you the exact coaching, exercises, and real-time feedback you need to create the partnership you dream about.

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✅ 1-on-1 mentorship
✅ A community of horsemen and women who get it

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Your safest, happiest rides start long before you ever get in the saddle.
Let's build that foundation together.