This video shows a session with me and Teo where we had to go back to the beginning. He had started getting really stuck again and would stop and refuse to go forward. Because of his history, his emotional tension, and the physical sensations he gave me, I was finding myself getting a bit stuck too. I felt my trust in him go down and my tension go up. The particular tightness in his back was reminding me of what I felt from a horse that flipped over on me years ago. I know that is not a good recipe for success.

This video demonstrates several things. It will show an exercise on the ground to help him become more open to suggestion without it feeling like a direct demand, and you’ll see me bring that exercise forward under saddle. You'll also see how I ask Michelle Young and Shawna Lewis to 'be with me' while I ride him. Yes, even though I have a ton of experience, sometimes I need someone to sit with me to give me confidence.

You’ll see how patiently persistent I needed to be with him. Sometimes you have to go this far back to basics. I want to show you this video to let you know that it happens to the best of us, and we just have to continue to address the current situation as best as possible and not judge ourselves or our horse.

Although progress with Teo's emotions is slow, I do feel very confident that for him, going as slow as necessary is the only way. It is a good lesson in reducing expectations, building trust, and being a calm leader.