The Puzzle Theory

Everyone knows how to put a puzzle together: piece by piece. Having all the pieces in the box is one thing, but getting them all connected is a whole different deal. To see the picture we want, we must connect the pieces one at a time. There is no other way. A broke horse is a lot like a puzzle.

When a horse is "finished," we have complete communication. It understands pressure and release, it knows what we want, it knows the drills of every session, and it is genuinely, willingly guided. That is a great feeling - knowing my horse is well-trained and ready to show.

However, the "image" we have in mind of that broke horse comes with no assurance that everything will be connected and communicating perfectly right off the bat at the next ride.

The Gap Between Expectation and Reality

In many cases, we set ourselves in situations that challenge our self-perception. We enter environments that make us feel uncomfortable,whether it’s the surroundings, the people, or the conditions, anything that creates an impact on us or our horses.

The starting point is the state we arrive in. We feel as prepared as we can be; we feel we’ve put in the work. We believe that if our horse and ourselves showcase the best of our abilities, we’ll have a fair chance to reach peak performance.

I’ve asked riders how they feel when they start a ride and their horse feels disconnected or mentally "off." Almost all of them noted that the instinctive reaction is to stress out, worry, and get tight. 

When I ask about the emotional experience that follows that instinct, the answers are usually: getting pissed off, feeling anger, or being upset with the horse. When we look back on those rides, the horsemanship suffers. Most riders admit they aren't happy with how they rode and feel they should have—and could have—done things differently.

The Three Stages of Struggle

What I’ve come to understand is that once we have a well-trained horse, we often fall into the trap of thinking it should naturally be connected. That’s the essence of the Puzzle Theory in horsemanship.We envision the complete image. 

In reality, even a well-trained horse is like a puzzle broken into pieces that we must patiently put together every single ride, all over again.

When we fight against this reality, we go through three stages:

1. Surprise

2. Disappointment

3. Aggression

You might think I’m wrong, that we’re more evolved than that, but if you’ve been there, you know I’m right.

The Triple AAA Method

To overcome this cycle, you can use an approach I call  the Triple AAA method, which is: Awareness, Acceptance, and Adjustment.

1. Awareness

Awareness of the situation, yourself, and the horse is the fundamental state. When you enter a new environment or the arena, be aware of your starting point. Ask yourself: How does your horse feel? How do you feel? What is going through your mind? Be aware.

2. Acceptance

If you get on and the horse feels as good, and you feel present and connected, great. Start your ride.

However, if something is off—if the horse is tense, you are tense, the horse is pushing against you, or being spooky—the vital mental reaction is Acceptance. 

We must accept that the horse is not ready for the "final" work or the maneuvers yet. The puzzle is currently in pieces. You cannot see the whole picture yet, and that’s okay. That is how we ride well, by focusing on the reality rather than the ideal. Accept that, and go back to basics.

3. Adjustments

This leads back to the Puzzle Theory. How do you put a puzzle together? You look for one piece that gives you a sense of direction, and you adjust it until it fits with another. Then you move to the next piece.

It’s the same with riding. Let go of the whole picture. Choose one small "piece" of your horsemanship to work on. Adjust it until it feels connected, then move to the next. Remember, the image  is built one part at a time.

The Challenge

The real challenge is believing that the slow, patient work you put in is actually the fastest and most effective way to reach your goal. We often fear that going back to basics means falling behind on progress, but the opposite is true.

I want you to test that. 

Next time you feel the pieces aren't fitting, stop trying to see the whole picture. Accept where you are, find one piece, and start connecting.