From Mixed Signals to Clear Partnership: The Morse Code Method

Christi Costigan

About Your Instructor After 10 years of frustration with traditional riding methods, I had my breakthrough moment driving home from yet another lesson where I'd watched a rider and horse struggle with mixed signals. I thought: horses move in beats, riders struggle with timing - what human method communicates in beats? Morse Code! That evening changed everything. Instead of using my legs to push my horse forward, I used them to get his attention, then let my seat bones create rhythm that matched his natural walk. My horse's ears came forward, his back lifted, and he began moving with me instead of despite me. The biggest challenge was convincing myself it could really be that simple. Surely some great horse person in history would have figured this out already if it worked? But after 20+ years of developing and teaching this system, I've learned the truth: horses understand timing, not force. I'm passionate about sharing this because I've watched too many riders - and horses - suffer through the confusion of mixed signals. Every horse is intelligent and willing when they receive clear communication. There's no need to force cooperation when you can speak their language. My goal is simple: to give every rider the missing piece that traditional instruction skips - the timing that makes everything else possible. When riders finally experience true partnership with their horses, that's when the magic happens.