Imagine it this way: domestic horses are like a bunch of foster kids who lost their families at a young age and then grew up in group homes. Some of them adapt — they learn the rules, figure out how to navigate the system, and become pretty functional adults. But others? They end up with all sorts of underlying stress, social issues, or maladaptive behaviors that follow them for life.

Learning new things often feels like standing in unfamiliar footing—literally and figuratively. Like a young horse learning to carry a rider for the first time, it’s awkward, uncertain, and not always graceful. You feel exposed. You wobble. You make mistakes.

Because here’s the thing I’ve learned over and over again: horses don’t lie. They don’t fight unless they have no other option. They’re peace-seeking, cooperative beings by nature. And when they resist, it’s almost always because they’re confused, in pain, or scared. Not because they’re trying to make your life hard.