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All characters in literature are either static or dynamic. A static character does not go through a significant change in their personality, beliefs, or values over the course of the story, and a dynamic character makes a major shift in one or more of these characteristics. This change can be a positive one or a negative one, but the dynamic character makes a definite change. 

When we are with our horses, we should always be prepared to be dynamic in our actions to direct the horse, yet be static in our character. Only then can we maintain the balance of trust and respect in our relationship with our horse. 

For example, when we ride circles in the round corral we usually notice a particular part of the circle where the horse gets really nice and balanced as he travels. Riding him through this section is effortless. The rider needs to remember that particular spot so that just BEFORE they get there again the rider can soften and allow the horse to travel through there in this nice, balanced way. This is an example of a place where the horse and rider learn to trust each other. The horse figures out that when he finds this way of going he can trust the rider to get out of his way by softening and allowing him to continue on around. The rider learns to trust the horse enough to turn loose of him some and relinquish some control and responsibility to him in that situation. 

There will usually be another place where the horse doesn't travel as well. Maybe he slows down, or speeds up, or gets out of balance and falls to the inside of the circle, or pushes toward the outside of it. Again the rider should remember this place and just BEFORE they get there again provide some extra direction and support to the horse on each of his sides and from the hindquarters to front using their seat, legs, and the reins so he can stay balanced and continue to travel like he is. This is a place where the horse and rider learn about respecting each other. 

When we ride with this awareness we are very dynamic. In just one trip around we may need to make these shifts from softening to directing to softening many times when we feel a shift in the trust and/or respect. By doing so we are static in our character. The horse doesn't have to guess if we are going to change. He learns that he never has to worry about us ever wanting him to be unbalanced and crooked. He never has to worry that we won't soften and get out of his way when he finds balance and straightness because of our static character. He learns he can count on us.