BEING BRAVE

What’s not to say that the greatest horses become outstanding because they all share a common quality—bravery? Bravery is the act or willingness to do something despite being scared. Confronting fear as a human can be hard. Now imagine being a horse—a prey animal that’s occasionally afraid of his own shadow. There are select horses that are born with unwavering confidence; meanwhile, others learn to be courageous with the help of their human counterpart. Whether it’s having physical bravery to withstand the roar of a crowded stadium or mental bravery to give more effort when it doesn’t seem possible, valiancy can come in all shapes and sizes.

Here’s how five horses conquered fear and in turn helped their riders become confident trainers.

CUSTOM GALE

CRYSTAL MCNUTT

Discipline: Reining.

Bio: McNutt has been riding Arabians since she was 4 years old. She now trains Arabians and Half-Arabians for reining competition out of her barn in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Custom Gale, also known as “Custom,” is a 12-year-old gelding by reining champion Custom Crome and out of an Arabian mare that competed in cutting..