Starting Mac

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What We Wish We Knew: Starting Mac the Right Way

When we first started working with Mac, we didn’t yet know about Equitation Science.

A Gentle Pony, a Big Ask

Mac is a calm and gentle pony. From early on, he tried to tell us things—through his body language, his posture, and sometimes through resistance, but we didn’t always understand what he was saying. We now realise that before backing him, he needed more structured groundwork, not just to teach obedience, but to help him build the physical strength and confidence required to carry a rider.

At the time, we didn’t know how important it was to:

• Strengthen his postural frame before adding weight
• Break down each stage of learning into clear, single steps
• Give him the chance to process, communicate, and grow confidence

Shutting Down, Not Acting Out

Mac didn’t explode or act out. He did something quieter, and harder to spot: he shut down. He became introverted, less expressive, and harder to read. It wasn’t dramatic, but it was a red flag we didn’t yet know how to interpret. In hindsight, we can see that his behaviour reflected both emotional stress and physical discomfort, which we later discovered was connected to his muscle health.

At the time, we didn’t know the science. We didn’t realise that a horse shutting down can be a survival strategy, not a sign of compliance, but a loss of confidence or hope.

Enter Equitation Science

Learning about Equitation Science has changed everything for us. With our trainer’s help, we’ve started to rebuild Mac’s trust in training – step by step, moment by moment. ESI has given us the tools to:

• Understand why he reacts the way he does
• Use clear, consistent signals so he’s never confused
• Allow him to communicate, without punishing him for expressing fear or uncertainty
• Support him physically, not just emotionally, by working in postures that strengthen rather than stress his body

It’s not about blame. It’s about progress. We know more now, and we’re doing better, for Mac and for ourselves.

Why This Matters for the Horse World

Horses like Mac don’t just need obedience. They need education, clarity, and trust. They need trainers who understand how horses learn, and who are willing to listen just as much as they lead.

We believe it’s time for:

• Horse owners to feel empowered to ask questions and learn
• Welfare and performance to be treated as the same goal, not separate ones

We can’t go back, but we can move forward, smarter, softer, and stronger.

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