In modern horse sport, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and endless schedules of lessons and shows. But Geoff Teall cautions against forgetting the most basic truth: horses are still horses. He reminds riders that giving horses real downtime is just as important as training them in the ring.
Why Horses Need a Break
Teall believes riders too often project human preferences onto their horses. We may love a hot shower at the end of the day, but horses don’t. We may value polished manes and tails, but horses don’t. “I’m quite sure that they don’t like braiding and pulling and twitching and trimming and all of the nonsense,” he says.
Instead, horses thrive when they can live more naturally with turnout, room to move, grass to graze, and other horses to socialize with. Allowing them this downtime is not indulgent; it’s a crucial part of keeping them sound in both body and mind.
Stop Fussing
One of Teall’s strongest pieces of advice is simply to stop. “Stop picking at him. Stop clutching the reins. Stop smothering him. Stop fussing. Just stop.” Horses don’t need to be micromanaged every second. Constant fussing creates tension, not progress.
Instead, Teall urges riders to make time in the saddle count. Be clear, specific, and fair when you ride, then reward the horse with release, rest, and time off. A horse learns far more from short, focused training sessions followed by downtime than from endless drilling.
The Value of Rest
Teall even builds deliberate rest periods into his horses’ lives. He likes to pull shoes, let manes and coats grow, and give his horses time to get dirty and relax. This isn’t laziness; it’s an investment in longevity. Horses that are allowed to recharge come back fresher, happier, and more willing to work.
“No work for a period of time makes the horse more willing the rest of the year,” he writes. That willingness is what sustains long-term performance and prevents burnout.
Downtime in Training
The “less is more” philosophy extends to daily schooling as well. Riders often believe that more work is better before the show. But Teall argues the opposite. Horses don’t improve from being drilled endlessly; they improve when training is purposeful and followed by rest.
He cautions against the mindset of “just one more.” That instinct often leads to sourness or injury. Instead, when the horse does something well, stop. End on a positive note and let the horse carry the lesson forward into the next ride.
Happiness Is Part of Horsemanship
Too often, riders judge their success by external appearances. Whether the horse is braided perfectly, whether they entered enough classes at a show, or if the barn aisle looks immaculate. Teall reminds us that horses don’t care about these things. What they care about is comfort, clarity, and fairness.
Good horsemanship isn’t about controlling every detail of a horse’s life. It’s about giving horses what they actually need. Wide open spaces, time with friends, food, water, and meaningful work in the saddle, balanced with the freedom to rest and be left alone.
Making Time Count
Downtime doesn’t mean neglect. Riders still need to show up consistently, ride thoughtfully, and train with purpose. But it does mean stripping away what isn’t necessary. Ride with focus. Reward generously. Then put the horse away and let him be a horse.
In the end, Teall believes the best reward we can give our horses isn’t a pat, a treat, or another gadget. It’s simply backing off. “For a horse, the best reward is just backing off and giving him some downtime,” he explains. That rest improves a horse’s learning curve faster than anything else.
A Balanced Approach
For riders striving to excel in equitation, hunters, or jumpers, it can feel counterintuitive to do less. But downtime isn’t wasted time. It’s part of the process. A horse that is allowed to rest comes back to work more responsive, more focused, and more capable of giving their best performance.
Ultimately, Teall’s philosophy is simple: horses are not ornaments, machines, or fashion statements. They are animals with their own needs, instincts, and preferences. When we respect that truth and make space for downtime, we become better horsemen, and our horses become better partners.
Read more of Geoff Teal’s riding philosophy in Geoff Teall on Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation: Develop a Winning Style on Audible and Kindle.
