What Is "Feel" in Horsemanship?
Ask any experienced natural horseman what separates a great rider from a good one, and the answer will almost always be the same: feel. But what does that actually mean?
Feel is the ability to sense what your horse is experiencing in real time — their balance, their emotions, their tension or relaxation — and to adjust your own body and energy in response. It's a two-way conversation happening through your seat, legs, hands, and breath. Riders with feel don't just steer horses; they dance with them.
The Partnership Model vs. the Control Model
Traditional riding often focuses on control — getting the horse to go where you point it, when you ask, at the speed you dictate. Natural horsemanship proposes a different model: partnership. In a partnership, both parties have responsibilities. The horse agrees to carry you safely and respond to your requests. You agree to be a fair, clear, balanced, and empathetic leader.
The shift from control to partnership changes how you use your aids. Instead of demanding, you suggest. Instead of forcing, you allow. This produces a horse that is genuinely willing rather than merely compliant — and a riding experience that is far more harmonious.
The Four Responsibilities of the Rider
In the Parelli system, riders are taught four core responsibilities under saddle:
- Don't act like a predator — No sudden movements, tense gripping, or abrupt harsh aids.
- Have an independent seat — Don't rely on the reins for balance; develop true core stability.
- Think like a horse — Understand what your horse finds scary, exciting, or confusing.
- Use the natural power of the partnership — Leverage the horse's natural willingness and curiosity.
Building an Independent Seat
An independent seat means your hands, legs, and seat all function separately and don't accidentally send mixed signals. A rider who grabs the reins for balance tells their horse "stop" while their heels drive forward saying "go." That contradiction creates confusion and tension.
Exercises to develop an independent seat include:
- Bareback riding at the walk to develop hip softness and feel
- Riding without stirrups for short periods to deepen the seat
- Practicing transitions with only seat and breath, without rein or leg
- Lunging on a trusted horse so you can focus purely on your own body
Using Energy as a Primary Aid
Horses are extraordinarily sensitive to human energy. A rider who breathes out, drops their shoulders, and thinks "slow" will often achieve a downward transition before their legs or hands do anything. Conversely, a tense, braced rider creates a tense, braced horse — regardless of how soft the hands appear.
Practice "energy transitions": ask for a gait change first with just your breath and mental intent, then support with seat, then leg, then rein — using only as much as needed.
Riding With a Loose Rein: Building True Responsiveness
One of the most powerful practices in natural horsemanship riding is developing steering and control at all three gaits with a completely loose rein. When your horse responds to your seat and energy alone, you know the communication is truly internalized — not just a conditioned reaction to rein pressure.
Work toward this gradually. Start at the walk, then trot, then canter. Use a cordeo (neck rope) as a training tool if appropriate for your level.
Signs of a True Partnership
- Your horse softens and relaxes when you mount
- Transitions happen with minimal visible aids
- Your horse seeks connection with you rather than looking for distractions
- In new environments, your horse looks to you for guidance rather than bolting
- Riding feels effortless, like a shared conversation
Partnership isn't built in a day, but every quality ride — no matter how short — adds another layer of trust to the foundation you're building together.