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Principle and Purpose: Where They Meet in Horsemanship

My students have heard me say it more than once—“principle and purpose.” It’s something I circle back to regularly in just about every part of horsemanship. I know with learners and students of horsemanship there is something that shows up consistently : there's often a gap between knowing the principles and applying them to the purpose. Or, on the flip side, people jump right into doing things with their horses (purpose) without a strong grip on the principles. So I thought this was the perfect time to dig in and clarify what I mean—and more importantly, how these two pieces work together to help you and your horse succeed.

Let’s Start with Principle.

Principle is the ABCs of horsemanship. It’s where we build the foundation—how horses think, how they communicate, and how we can learn to speak their language. It’s learning how to move each part of your horse's body, both with a direct touch and using your energy at different distances. It’s understanding when to be soft and when to be clear and firm—and most importantly, why.

Principle is what helps our horses trust us. It’s where we develop feel, timing, and clarity. And it’s where our conversations with our horses become more fluid and less of a struggle. The more we practice those basics, the more second nature they become—for both us and our horses.

Now Let’s Talk About Purpose.

Purpose is life. It’s what we do with all those principles once we’ve built them. Purpose shows up when we’re riding out on the trail, working in the arena, introducing something new, or handling a moment when our horse is distracted, confused, or unsure. It’s when weather changes, other horses act up, or something unexpected happens—and we have to think quickly, make a decision, and use those principle-based tools we’ve been practicing.

When principle and purpose work together, that’s when horsemanship really becomes a conversation. You’re not just training your horse; you’re living your horsemanship. And your horse isn’t just responding to cues—they’re trusting you, thinking with you, and moving in partnership.

So whether you’re refining the ABCs or facing a challenge on the trail, remember this: principle gives you the tools, purpose gives you the reason to use them. You need both. And the more you intentionally swing back and forth between the two, the more complete and confident your horsemanship becomes.

This is the kind of conversation we have regularly inside the Miles Made Membership—where we connect the dots between what you’re learning and why it matters. Principle and Purpose are the heart of horsemanship. They’re often overlooked, but they’re the missing puzzle piece that can change everything in your partnership with your horse.

👉 Ready to ride with us? Learn more about Miles Made and join the journey today.