My coach once said to me “Ride like you MEAN it”
Nerves were my problem, I was nervous to compete at Werribee on Rebel, I was holding back from my actual ability. I was letting the outside influences affect how I behaved.

He then asked if I knew what MEAN it stood for..he explained..

M=maximise
E=eliminate
A=accept
N=never give up.

Maximise what you have
Eliminate the problems you’ve created
Accept what just happened (move on)
And of course then never give up.

It works for everything

It also works because it works.. if you do anything like you mean it it is more likely to happen.

Ride like you mean it
Walk like you mean it
Talk like you mean it
Give direction like you mean it

Horses like most animals communicate sooo much with body language and so therefore if you adopt the same approach use your body language, use your intent, and behave like you mean it, just as they do.. you will get the response you desire.

Most Humans have lost the capacity to read body language.. your horse hasn’t..
remember that the next time you tell him something without speaking!