Building trust with a horse is not something you can force or rush and takes time and commitment to achieve. Horses are very intuitive beings; they know what you are feeling even before you express it in words or actions.
At Tula Vida, creating trusting relationships with horses is primarily based on developing a relationship rather than following specific techniques or methods. By taking time to be present with them and showing them patience, we are able to develop trust between us and the horse. As we develop trust with our horses, we learn as much about who we are as we learn about the horses themselves.
Start with stillness and observation
The first step to building trust with a horse is to observe them from a distance. This way, it is easier to determine the horse’s body position, breathing patterns and movements. Is the horse calm and relaxed? Or is the horse alert and ready to engage you? They give off many different signals, which can be very subtle. Learning how to read a horse’s body language is one of the key elements for developing trust.
When you remain still with your horse, as opposed to approaching them too fast, you will allow the horse to approach you on their terms. Trust will develop when a horse comes closer to you because they were given the choice to do so, not simply because you have asked them to.
Learn more about horses in our blog!
Be honest with your energy
Horses respond more to how you feel than what you say. If you’re anxious, distracted, or tense, they’ll notice immediately. This isn’t something to feel self-conscious about — it’s an invitation to check in with yourself.
Instead of attempting to hide your feelings, invite yourself to ground your breath and surrender into the softness of your body. When your inside matches your outside in calm, it is clear and trustworthy. Horses value congruency. Your energy is honest and steady, so they can rely on you.
Move slowly and intentionally
Quick or erratic movements can be alarming to a horse, while slow deliberate movement indicates safety and respect. Each step, each gesture, each touch carries message.
Deliberate movement helps keep us in the moment, too: when we slow our own pace to match that of the horse, a quiet conversation begins, mutual assurance that neither of us has an agenda that requires haste.
You can also read: How horses help us heal from bad experiences
Let touch be an invitation, not a demand
Touch can be a powerful bridge to trust when offered with care. Before reaching out, notice how the horse responds to your proximity. A gentle approach, open body language, and relaxed breath invite connection rather than impose it.
When a horse leans in, softens their eyes, or remains still, it’s their way of saying yes. Trust deepens when touch becomes a dialogue — one where listening matters as much as action. At Tula Vida, these quiet exchanges often become the most meaningful moments.
Release expectations
One of the most powerful things you can do to build trust is to let go of the expectations. Horses feel pressure, even if it’s non-verbal. When we show up with expectations—to connect, to be liked, to ‘get it right’, the horse feels our tension.
Trust deepens when you allow it all to be whatever it is. Some days it is playful, some days quiet, some moments deeply connecting, some moments calm, all okay. Horses teach us that trust is not linear. It’s relational.
Trust is built over time
Just like human relationships, trust with horses develops gradually. It’s shaped by consistency, respect, and repeated experiences of safety. Each interaction leaves an imprint, even when it feels small.
At Tula Vida, many people discover that learning to trust horses also helps them rebuild trust within themselves — in their intuition, boundaries, and ability to be present. Horses don’t ask for perfection. They ask for sincerity. And when they feel it, trust naturally follows.