Soft Hands, Strong Connection: A Natural Horsemanship Training Day at Golden Glade Ranch

There’s something quietly powerful about a child riding a horse with no bit, guiding her mount not with force, but with feel.

At Golden Glade Ranch, this is just a typical Tuesday.

As storm clouds linger over the hills of Possum Creek, the paddocks are alive with the sound of clucking, bumping legs, and gently whispered cues. It’s training day, and Gigi is deep in preparation for her upcoming challenge show—rollbacks, patterns, and transitions are on the agenda. But the real work is happening far beneath the surface: in her feel, her timing, and her trust.

“Ride her like there’s no bridle on. Even when you’ve got it on—that’s how you train a great horse.”

This guiding philosophy echoes through the round yard as Gigi navigates circles, directional changes, and rollback drills. It’s not about fixing problems with stronger gear, but about building communication that lasts.

Learning to Lead Without Pulling with natural horsemanship training

Throughout the session, there’s a big focus on softness—both in the horse’s body and the rider’s mindset. When her horse leans out of the circle or fails to transition, Gigi is reminded not to overcorrect or force a response.

“Squeeze, wait, and release. Don’t add more energy than needed. Less is often more.”

It’s a rhythm: bump the leg, soften the hand, reward the try. And when the horse gets it right? You stop. Let them know they nailed it.

Because tomorrow starts with how today ended.

Preparing for the Challenge Show

With only ten days left before competition, the question arises—should we keep going or call it a day?

“Finish on a good note. If that was it, let that be the win.”

And yet, preparation matters. So the focus narrows—on working patterns, transitions, and subtle corrections. The Natural Horsemanship training isn’t about drilling. It’s about consistency, clarity, and kindness.

From practicing patterns at the trot (instead of canter) to refining rollback cues with just a leg and a thought, Gigi’s developing the feel that separates a rider from a horseperson.

A Few Storms, a Lot of Laughs

Like any good ranch day, there’s humor too.

Plans to spin on the horse instead of asking for a spin. Talk of entering a Falabella pony in a Western event. Riding in a recliner position to earn “style points.” And then there’s that classic advice:

“You don’t have to win. You just have to be remembered.”

Whether it’s bareback, bridleless, or in a sparkly costume, what counts is the connection—between horse and rider, between family and land, and between dreams and dedication.

A Note from Dad

At Golden Glade, we’re not raising champions. We’re raising confident kids who listen, lead, and laugh—who can handle pressure, hold reins gently, and walk away knowing they gave it their best.

What matters isn’t the ribbon—it’s the rhythm. The rhythm of breath, of hoofbeats, of learning how to be patient and clear, especially when things go sideways.

This is how you build a rider. This is how you build a life.

Closing Thought

As the rain begins to fall and the session winds down, the takeaway is clear: softness creates strength. And the best rides aren’t always about control—they’re about connection.