How Criminal Defense is like Horseback Riding

Attorney Brad Henderson, a passionate horseman, combines his love for riding with his legal expertise in this insightful article. Just like he trains his horse with subtle signals and tools, Brad uses the same approach in criminal defense—relying on strategy, not force, to get results.
attorney meeting with client at desk

My Love for Riding and Training Horses

I love riding horses and spend a lot of time training mine. Whether working with them on the ground, in a round pen, or on a trail ride, I focus on specific issues and introduce new tack (riding gear). I do all this to make the next ride more enjoyable for me and my horse.

Horse Tack and Training

When I ride, I use various tools or tack to signal what I want my horse to do. Without these signals, my horse would be left guessing and feeling anxious. Proper signaling helps us both achieve our goals. You might not even notice these tools in action watching me ride. When I do use them, they are subtle and barely noticeable.

I train my horse to respond to these signals before I need them. My horse learns basic cues long before new tack gets introduced.

For example, my horse knows to start walking when I squeeze my legs, slide the reins along her neck, or cluck my tongue. When I first introduced spurs, I didn’t use them right away. She could hear them jingle, but I stuck with the old signals: a squeeze, lifted reins, and a cluck. Once she got used to hearing the spurs, I gently touched her sides while using the same cues. Even though the spurs are there, I hardly use them. And when I do, it’s just a light bump, never a hard kick.

When Things Are Different

You might wonder: Why have tools you barely use? The same question applies to the bit in her mouth. Usually, my horse will stop just by shifting my weight in the saddle and saying, “whoa.” But out on the trail, conditions can change. Sometimes, my horse needs to know that right now is different. Maybe there’s an emergency or something scaring her, and she needs to focus on me. In those moments, I might need to use the spurs or pull on the bit. The longer they’re available, the less I actually need them.

Criminal Defense

Criminal defense also has many tools that are rarely used, and when they are, it’s subtle—like a polite reminder to the judge or prosecutor that the tool exists. Often, these tools are never mentioned because everyone remembers the last time they were used. Think of motions to suppress evidence, motions to compel, or motions to dismiss for withheld evidence. Sometimes, just knowing these tools are available is enough to get results.

In future articles, we’ll explore how skilled criminal defense attorneys use these “invisible” tools to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.

Originally Published: September 7, 2024

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