When you dream of the perfect horse, what do you see? For most, it isn’t about flashy wins or complex maneuvers. It’s about a feeling—a sense of trust, connection, and effortless communication. It’s the horse that meets you at the gate, the one that tries its heart out for you, the partner that feels safe and dependable. This is the kind of horse that a great trainer creates. In the world of modern horsemanship, Drew Olsen, horse trainer and founder of Southern Horsemanship, has built his reputation on turning that dream into a reality. His approach, centered on creating a soft, supple, and willing partner, is about more than just riding; it’s about building a genuine dialogue between horse and human.
The ultimate testament to this philosophy came in 2011 when Olsen won the prestigious Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover with his mare, Mercedes. Taking a wild, untouched mustang and transforming it into a champion in just a few months is a monumental task. It requires not force, but an exceptional ability to listen, communicate, and build trust. This achievement shines a spotlight on a training style that prioritizes the horse’s mind, cementing a foundation for a lasting, safe, and enjoyable partnership for any discipline.
Who is Drew Olsen of Southern Horsemanship?
Based in Roopville, Georgia, Drew Olsen is the experienced horseman behind Southern Horsemanship. While many trainers specialize in a single discipline, Olsen’s expertise is broad, covering everything from starting young horses and addressing behavioral problems to refining skills in dressage, reining, and hunter jumpers. This versatility isn’t about mastering different sets of commands; it’s about understanding the universal principles of equine learning and communication that apply to every horse, regardless of its job.
The mission at Southern Horsemanship is clear and consistent: to help establish clear communication between horse and rider. This simple sentence is the bedrock of a powerful training philosophy. It moves beyond the idea of merely teaching a horse to obey and instead focuses on creating an environment where the horse understands the request, is physically capable of performing it, and is mentally willing to participate. The result is the ultimate goal for any equestrian: a safe, willing, and reliable partner.
The Core Philosophy: Beyond Training to True Horsemanship
What sets a trainer like Drew Olsen apart is the focus on the horse’s state of being—both mentally and physically. A horse that is anxious, confused, or braced against the rider can never be a true partner. The journey toward excellence begins with cultivating a foundation of relaxation and understanding.
What Does a “Soft and Supple” Horse Feel Like?
A “soft and supple” horse is one that is free from tension. Physically, this means their muscles are pliable, and they can move fluidly through their body, bending and flexing with ease. Mentally, it means the horse is calm, focused, and responsive. You can feel it in the reins—instead of a hard, resistant mouth, you feel a light, responsive connection. You can see it in their expression—soft eyes and relaxed ears. This state is achieved not by force, but by consistently showing the horse that yielding to pressure, both physical and mental, leads to comfort and release.
“A trainer’s primary job is to be a good translator,” explains Dr. Sarah Miller, a noted equine behavior specialist. “They must translate the rider’s request into a language the horse understands and translate the horse’s response back to the rider. This two-way communication prevents misunderstandings that often lead to behaviors we label as ‘bad’.”
Establishing Clear Communication: The Foundation of Trust
Clear communication is the antidote to fear and resistance in horses. It involves using cues that are consistent, easy for the horse to understand, and progressive in nature. It starts on the ground, establishing personal space, respect, and a basic vocabulary of pressure and release. A trainer following this methodology ensures the horse understands fundamental concepts like moving away from pressure and seeking the release before ever stepping into the saddle. This foundation builds a confident horse that actively seeks the right answer rather than one that simply reacts out of fear of getting it wrong.
From Wild to Willing: Lessons from the Mustang Makeover
Winning the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover is perhaps the clearest example of this philosophy in action. A wild mustang has no prior concept of human interaction. It is a creature of pure instinct. To gentle and train one in a compressed timeframe requires an immense amount of empathy, patience, and skill.
The process involves:
- Building Trust: The first step is simply showing the mustang that the human is not a threat. This is done through patient, non-demanding interaction.
- Introducing Pressure Gradually: All training involves pressure, but the key is how it’s applied and, more importantly, when it’s released. The release is what teaches the horse.
- Making the Right Thing Easy: The trainer’s job is to arrange the situation so the horse wants to make the correct choice. The right answer should feel like the most comfortable and logical option for the horse.
Drew Olsen’s victory with Mercedes wasn’t just a win in a competition; it was a demonstration of how these principles can create an extraordinary partnership, even under the most challenging circumstances.
The Practical Application: A Versatile and Effective Approach
A horsemanship philosophy grounded in communication is not limited to a single discipline. Its principles are universal and can be applied to solve a wide range of training challenges and achieve diverse goals. For a trainer like Drew Olsen, this means offering a comprehensive suite of services that all stem from the same core belief.
Whether it’s starting a colt, tuning up a show horse, or working with a “problematic” mount, the approach remains the same: find the source of the miscommunication and rebuild the conversation. A horse that bucks might not be “bad,” but rather confused or in pain. A horse that refuses a jump might not be “stubborn,” but afraid. By addressing the root cause instead of just punishing the symptom, a skilled trainer creates lasting change. This focus on fundamentals produces horses that are not only successful in the show ring but are also safe and enjoyable companions on the trail.
Why This Training Style Matters for the Modern Horse Owner
In today’s world, most horse owners are not trying to raise livestock or ride into battle. They are seeking a connection, a hobby, and a partner. The confrontational, dominance-based training methods of the past are becoming obsolete because they fail to deliver the relationship that modern equestrians crave.
The partnership-focused approach is effective because it aligns with our current understanding of equine psychology. It recognizes horses as intelligent, sensitive animals that thrive on consistency and clear communication. By investing in a training program that prioritizes these values, horse owners are not just buying a set of skills; they are investing in a healthier, happier, and safer relationship with their equine partner. This approach creates a horse that is not just trained, but truly well-educated—one that understands its job and does it with a willing heart.
Frequently Asked Questions about Partnership-Focused Training
What is the first step in establishing communication with a horse?
The very first step is establishing a foundation of respect and trust on the ground. This involves teaching the horse to respect your personal space and to yield to gentle, consistent pressure, creating a basic language that will later be used in the saddle.
How long does it take to develop a willing partnership?
There is no set timeline, as every horse is an individual. Building a true partnership is an ongoing journey. However, a solid foundation of trust and communication can often be established in 60 to 90 days of consistent, correct work.
Can this method work for older, “problem” horses?
Absolutely. In fact, this approach is often the most effective for horses with behavioral issues. These problems usually stem from past trauma, confusion, or pain. By going back to basics and rebuilding the horse’s confidence and trust, a trainer can undo old habits and create new, positive responses.
What is the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover?
It’s a competition created by the Mustang Heritage Foundation where trainers receive a wild, untouched American mustang and have approximately 100-120 days to gentle and train it. They then compete in a series of classes, showcasing the horse’s new skills and willingness to work with a rider.
What’s the difference between “training” and “horsemanship”?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, “training” can refer to the simple act of teaching a horse specific tasks or commands. “Horsemanship” implies a deeper, more holistic approach that encompasses not just the training itself, but the understanding of the horse’s mind, behavior, and physical well-being to create a true partnership.
Conclusion
The journey with a horse is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have, but the quality of that journey depends entirely on the quality of the partnership. A skilled horse trainer does more than teach a horse to stop, go, and turn; they act as a bridge, fostering a language that both horse and human can understand. Drew Olsen, horse trainer and advocate for clear communication, exemplifies this modern approach. Through his work at Southern Horsemanship and his remarkable achievements, he demonstrates that the path to creating a soft, supple, and willing equine partner is paved with patience, understanding, and a profound respect for the horse’s mind. Ultimately, this philosophy allows riders to build the safe, dependable, and deeply connected partnership they have always dreamed of.
