Western Vitality

Training a horse is not for the faint of heart. There are so many factors involved that it can take a lifetime—or more—to truly master. And as the world changes, so do training methods. Every year, we get a little closer to mastering this craft.

More people are dipping their toes into the horse industry and trying to train a horse for the first time. And let’s be honest—there is SO much information out there that it can feel overwhelming. What videos should I watch? Which trainer is actually good? What methods work for me? How do I avoid spending money on products or programs that don’t work? Most of us have learned the hard way—through trial and error, wasted money, and lost time. Ten years ago, AI didn’t exist, so we all had to jump in headfirst, figuring things out as we went.

But now, AI is starting to change the game—and that’s exactly what I want to talk about. I’ve personally used AI in many areas of my horse career. Whenever I’m stuck or have a question, I pull out my phone, open ChatGPT, and in seconds, I have a detailed answer. It’s honestly a game-changer.

Some people might say we have it too easy today because of all this technology. But I say, why shouldn’t we use it to our advantage? Just because we have access to so much information doesn’t mean we’re cheating—it means we have the potential to outperform the “old-school” riders if we use it wisely.

Here’s a real example: my husband’s horse came up severely lame on his front right leg—not just sore, I mean walking on three legs and refusing to put weight on it. Within minutes, I took a picture, described the situation in detail to ChatGPT, and got a likely diagnosis: torn suspensory ligament. Sure enough, the vet confirmed it later. I knew what was wrong before we even walked in.

Another time, I got stuck in training with my three-year-old mare. I didn’t know how to move forward. I opened my app, explained the situation, and got a step-by-step, day-by-day plan tailored to her. I followed it—and it worked!

AI has the power to enhance the horse industry in ways we couldn’t have imagined. With the right details, it can provide a program designed for your horse and your goals. There are even apps now—Equilab, Sleip, Equiyd—that can track rides, spot mistakes, detect patterns, and give insights about performance. As AI continues to improve, it will only get better at catching the tiny details that the human eye can miss.

The best part? It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a professional rider. There’s always something new to learn, and AI helps you break through the “information wall.” You’re no longer limited by the knowledge of one trainer or one program—you always have access to more.

That said, humans thrive on connection. We feel and emotionally connect with each other—and with our horses. That’s something AI can’t replace. Clinics, professional riders, learning from one another, and simply paying attention to what our horses are telling us—those things will always matter.

So yes, I believe AI will enhance the horse industry. It gives riders quick access to information, helps us improve, and opens doors that were once closed. Today, there’s no excuse not to get better. We are no longer limited by outdated information. With the tools we have now, we can truly become bigger, better, and stronger as horsemen and horsewomen—if we take the opportunity.