MAY 2026 THE RIDER /29


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Showmanship skills


- benefits beyond the show ring


1. Safety – Is it annoying to hold on to your horse at a show or outing? Do you look for opportunities between classes to hand him to your “groom” (code – mom, dad or significant other)? Horses with “lots of personality” (you know - the busy, mouthy kind that plays with your jacket, chews on the cross ties and invades your space) are particularly irk- some to hang around with. Imagine your horse walk-


By Lindsay Grice, Equestrian Canada coach and horse show judge.


Whatever our riding disci-


pline, on this I’d bet we all agree: horses, mindful of their handlers and light to the lead pressure, are a pleasure to be around. They lead attentively and load on a trailer reliably.


So, I love to inspire the rid-


ers I teach with this: just 15 min- utes of in-hand training per day will, like planting tulip bulbs, bear great results in show season!


In showmanship classes,


horse and handler execute a pre- scribed pattern “with precision and smoothness, while exhibiting poise and confidence.” (AQHA rule book). In the best presenta- tions, cueing from the lead is barely visible. Horse keeping in step with his handler, content to do so, with soft ears and a calm but bright expression.


5 benefits of showmanship training for every horse Whether or not a horse will


be shown in a class, I’ve always taught showmanship fundamen- tals to the horses I work with. It’s fun to move in sync with your horse. It’s satisfying to share a common language of body movements. After all, horses aren’t vocal communicators like humans. They read body lan- guage. Wise showmanship is about being readable - we’re speaking their language. Here are 5 more benefits:


If your horse has “lots of personality” – pushes into pressure, crowds your space or chews on …everything - it may be time to install some showmanship skills.


rubbing on you, diving down for grass or tether-balling around you.


When your western hat’s


been knocked sideways again and you’ve determined it’s the last time you’re having your toe


3. The habit of being decisive. I see groundwork as a beneficial component of every schooling session and a reflection of your whole training system. The pre- cise geometry and movements of showmanship call for you to train


ing calmly beside you as you tour around the show grounds. Picture him stand-


ing in his own space as you enjoy a conversation with a friend - not


stepped on, it may be time to in- stall some showmanship skills!


2. The habit of communicating clearly. The secret to showmanship


with a happy horse is being read- able – your horse follows your initiative and responds to your body language. The onus is on the handler to communicate clearly and fairly. Those clear body positions,


translate from home turf to unfa- miliar environments – a show, a clinic, even a fall fair. Wherever your horse is experiencing sen- sory overload, you can review the familiar skills he learned at home.


systematically - to think through the signals you’re sending to an animal. The habit of intentional communication flows into under saddle work and general horse- manship.


4. The habit of defining expec- tations. With kids or horses, es- tablishing limits and expectations is just plain considerate. Insecu- rity and resentment arise when boundaries aren’t well communi- cated, or they shift. Horses thrive in predictability. The good habit of consistency in your expecta- tions begins in on the ground, not just under saddle. “Sometimes” in ground expectations isn’t fair. For example, • Sometimes I let you hand


graze and sometimes I’ll jerk on the lead when you go for the grass (like while I’m unchaining the gate). • Sometimes I expect you to


follow me (like when leaving the cross ties for the arena) and sometimes I want you to stand still and not follow me (like when I’m turning to reach for my hel- met, before we leave the cross ties).


• Sometimes I’ll let you rub


on me, but sometimes I’ll shove you away (like when the slime on your mouth might smear my show jacket).


Defining on duty/off duty.Does your horse understand when you expect him to be in showmanship attentiveness and when he can relax? I remind my students to make it clear, with a distinction in poise and posture when they want their horse to be “on”.


Defining physical boundaries. Defining my space and your space comes naturally to a social animal, familiar with negotiating herd dynamics in a group. Re- spect his space by not carelessly resting the weight of your arm on the lead shank or fondling his sensitive muzzle. Likewise, he mustn’t crowd into your space. Leading or standing still, keep those boundaries consistent. 5. Lightness to shank pres-


sure: A horse, luggy on the lead shank, is likewise unmotivated to move his feet where he’d rather


Whether or not a horse will be shown in a class, I teach showmanship fundamentals to all the horses I work with.


not go - through a water crossing or onto a trailer ramp. Showman- ship teaches the principle of yielding to the lightest pressures and promptly finding release. If you and your horse


would like some showmanship help – an eye on the ground – reach out through my web site


About Lindsay Grice.


“Is it me or my horse?” Horse show judge, coach


and specialist in equine behav- ior, Lindsay Grice loves to help riders solve their “horse puz- zles”, sharing keys from the science and research of how horses think and learn. She coaches riders of all


levels to prepare for competi- tion and mostly, to enjoy the process of riding, not just the results! Lindsay enjoys teaching


clinics and travelling to On- tario farms as a freelance coach. She’s taught the science of equine behavior and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges multiple


www.lindsaygriceridingcoach.co m. I’d love to meet you and your horse!


Stay tuned for next month:


The practical benefits of show- manship – movement by move- ment.


disciplines and breeds, holding judging certifications with • AQHA • Equestrian Canada • Extreme Cowboy And also judging: • Working Equitation • Hunter/Jumper • Mountain Trail • and some dressage. She loves to share her


own insights and stories learned from 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer. “Why do horses do what they do?”


Lindsay says, “In the


horse world, our traditions and the evidence sometimes collide. I love to communicate the WHYs behind the HOWs of riding. “Equitation Science” – it makes life better for horses when we speak in a language they understand!”


Fox Run’s March Equi Cup Hunter Show Results Fox Run’s Equi Cup


Hunter Show March 14, 15 at the Ancaster Agricultural Centre pro- vided a great start to our 2026 horse show season. After extreme winter weather conditions, every- one felt some hope for spring. The silent auction allowed us to continue our fund raising efforts for the homeless.


Visit https://facebook.com/kay- jayequinephotos for pictures from the show.


2’ Junior/Amateur Hunter CH: Suit and TY, Olivia Rospond RES: Aramos, Rachel Howatson


2” Pony Hunter CH: Marco Polo, EmmaTen-


klooster RES: High Tide, Noor Safieddine


2”3”Adult Amateur Hunter CH: Jane, Kathryn Racey RES: Chips Ahoy Maggie Spiers


2”3” Children’s Hunter CH: Clink Cheers, Allyanna O’- Donnell RES: Suit and Ty, Olivia Rospond


2”6” Open Hunter CH: Ritz’s Cassia, Cecilia Mof- fat RES: Douglas, Audrey Irfan


2”9” Equi Cup Hunter CH: Caiden Mist RES: Ritz’s Cassia, Cecilia Mof-


Ritz's Cassia and Cecilia Moffat


fat Hack Division CH: Emmalina, Megan DeBoer RES: Jane, Kathryn Racey


Pony Hack Division Saturday CH: Blue Ridge Felicitous, Ten- ley Kuhl RES: High Tide, Noor Safieddine


Blue Ridge Felicitous and Tenley Kuhl


Pony Hack Division Sunday CH: Blue Ridge Felicitous, Ten- ley Kuhl


RES: High Tide, Noor Safieddine


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