How's That Working for You?
How's That Working for You?
By Kimberly Ramirez, A Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP)
It’s one of my favorite questions to ask—not just in life, but especially in horse training. Dr. Phil may have coined it decades ago, but it’s a question that cuts through the noise and gets right to the heart of things.
In the horse world today, we’re flooded with methods, programs, online gurus, and advice. Some of it is valuable. Some of it just… isn’t. And sometimes, something resonates because it sounds easier or more convenient—not necessarily because it’s right for you or your horse.
That’s why I often ask my clients: “How’s that working for you?” Is the method you’re using producing the results you’re after? Is your horse improving—really improving? Not just doing what it’s told, but moving better? Thinking better? Sound in body and mind? Is your horse willing, curious, and relaxed?
Aspiration is important. But application is everything. It’s easy to like an idea. It’s harder to implement it in a way that’s fair to both you and your horse. And if something isn’t working—consistently and across time—it’s worth stepping back and reevaluating.
That might mean finding a trainer you trust—not just someone who talks a good game, but someone whose horses tell the truth.
Do they appear content? Are they progressing in their training, even slowly but steadily? Do they willingly come to work? Are they healthy and sound? Is the barn full of relaxed, thriving horses—or is it a place where injury and burnout seem common?
Or maybe it’s checking in with yourself after watching another online tutorial that didn’t quite come together. If you’re left feeling unsure, unsafe, or like your horse is starting to lose trust—stop.
Ask yourself that simple question.
Because real progress takes timing, tact, and support. No method is one-size-fits-all. And not every “tool” belongs in your toolbox.
So the next time something feels off—or even when it feels just fine—pause and ask: How’s that working for you?
It’s a small question. But it can lead to big changes.
