The 3 Ps of Horsemanship: Peace, Patience, and Persistence
If you've been riding for any length of time, you know this journey has its ups and downs. One day, you feel like you’re flying—connected, confident, in sync with your horse. The next? It can feel like nothing’s working and you're back at square one.
That’s why I want to share something simple but powerful: the 3 Ps of horsemanship.
Peace: Accepting Where You Are
So many riders I work with are hard on themselves. They think, I should be further along, or My horse should know this by now. But here's the truth:
You and your horse are exactly where you're supposed to be.
Peace starts when you stop comparing. This isn’t a show. It’s not a competition. And you're not late. You're just living the process.
Let go of that pressure. Embrace joy. Trust that God placed you here—for a reason, with this horse. And that’s more than enough.
When we’re at peace, our horses feel it. And that calm gives them permission to soften and connect.
Patience: Letting Growth Take Root
Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. And trying to force it usually backfires.
I see it all the time—riders rushing through exercises, thinking, My horse needs to get this now. But that “microwave mentality” just adds tension.
Patience means taking a breath. Slowing down. Breaking things into smaller steps.
And yes—it means being okay with the mess. The sticky parts. The awkward moments.
Because that’s where real trust is built.
Try this:
When your horse struggles, take a deep breath—out loud.
Ask smaller. Reward sooner.
If you feel frustration rise, simplify.
Patience isn’t passive. It’s intentional. And it shows your horse you’re in it with them—for the long haul.
Persistence: Staying the Course
I’ll say it plainly: your horse can succeed if you don’t give up on them.
The riders who make the most progress aren’t the ones with the fanciest gear or the fastest results. They’re the ones who keep showing up.
Even when it’s slow.
Even when it’s tough.
Even when they don’t feel like it.
Persistence doesn’t mean muscling through. It means taking the next right step—even when the finish line feels far away.
One of my favorite analogies is the wind. It never stops. It doesn’t force its way forward. It flows—around, over, through. It adapts. And it keeps going.
That’s the spirit I want in your horsemanship.
Your horse feels when you believe in them. They feel when you’ve made up your mind: We’re going to figure this out. Together.
And that belief? It changes everything.
Practical Ways to Build Peace, Patience, and Persistence
Here's how you can start living out the 3 Ps in your day-to-day work with your horse:
For Peace:
Before every session, say a short prayer or affirmation to remind yourself: I am exactly where I need to be.
Smile. Seriously—it helps.
Let go of needing to “get somewhere.” Just be present.
For Patience:
Break exercises into micro-steps.
Breathe—audibly—any time you feel rushed.
Focus on feel, not perfection.
For Persistence:
Track your sessions in a journal. Look for small wins.
When you hit a wall, pause, reassess, and try again tomorrow.
Rewatch your own training videos to notice improvements.
Remember: This Is a Relationship
Just like any close relationship, your bond with your horse will have easy days and hard days. But every moment together is part of the story you’re building.
So when it’s hard? Come back to peace.
When it feels slow? Practice patience.
When you want to give up? Lean into persistence.
You're not alone in this journey. Keep going.
📣 Watch the training that’s helping hundreds of riders feel safer, calmer, and more connected in the saddle.
steadyhorse.com
