Wild Rides: Bringing Along a Young, Incredibly Athletic Horse (and Why You Should Probably Stretch First)

Because bringing along a young, athletic horse isn’t just training — it’s an extreme sport disguised as character building.

Photo by PNW Departure

There’s a certain kind of bravery — or maybe it’s selective amnesia — that comes with deciding to season a young, athletic horse. On paper, it sounds magical: all that power, raw talent, and potential wrapped up in one promising equine package. In reality, it’s more like strapping yourself to a caffeinated pogo stick and hoping your seat bones are blessed by the gods of balance.

If you’ve ever worked with a young athlete of a horse, you know exactly what I’m talking about. One minute, you’re riding along thinking, Wow, we’re really getting somewhere! The next minute, you’re going Mach 5, your life flashing before your eyes, and you’re wondering if you should’ve taken up something safer — like bull riding or tightrope walking.

Personal space? What personal space? Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.

These horses are the overachievers of the equine world — equal parts Olympic gymnast and caffeinated toddler. Their energy is unmatched, their opinions are strong, and their understanding of personal space is… developing. One day they’re brilliant, the next they’re spooking at their own shadow like it personally insulted them. You can do the same thing three days in a row and get three completely different responses — one of which may involve spontaneous levitation.

The process of “bringing them along” is like living in a never-ending montage of triumph and chaos. You’ll get moments of brilliance that make you think this horse might just be your once-in-a-lifetime partner… immediately followed by moments that make you Google “how much does a nice trail gelding cost.” You’ll question your training, your fitness, your sanity — and sometimes your will to live — but somehow, you’ll keep climbing back in the saddle because when it clicks, it’s worth it.

Letting someone else’s baby dragon take a look at the arena. Photo by Nicole Cammuso.

The thing is, young, athletic horses aren’t being difficult for fun (even if it feels that way). They’re learning how to use their bodies, manage their emotions, and channel their enthusiasm into something productive. Your job — lucky you — is to guide them through that process without losing your sense of humor or your stirrups.

And, of course, there’s one more level to this wild ride. If your young, incredibly athletic horse happens to be a chestnut mare… well, my friend, that’s not just a training journey. That’s a test of faith, patience, and upper body strength. She’ll make you laugh, cry, and occasionally reevaluate your life choices — sometimes all within the same five-minute warmup.

Good baby horse. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.

To all the riders out there seasoning the spicy ones, the freakishly athletic ones, the ones who keep you humble and flexible: may your balance be steady, your sense of humor strong, and your chiropractor on speed dial.

Godspeed.

Okay, sometimes they’re cute and make you want to squeeze them… Photo by Whitney Downey