This may seem so basic to many horse men and women, as it is one of the foundations of any work done with a horse and yet so many people don't get it.
To get a horse to do anything when working with them, you put on pressure and the horse will move away from it. Start with gentle pressure and keep increasing until the horse comes off it - even if it is ever so slightly. The horses's reward is in you taking the pressure off. (Don't jab or jerk, as that can confuse the horse.) As you repeat this exercise, the pressure required to get the horse to move will become less and less until eventually it may barely require a touch. I may just mention here, that you should always keep yourself in a position of safety, in case the horse decides to turn the tables and put the pressure on you - until you are comfortable and know the horse well.
Depending on what you are doing, the pressure does not neccessarily have to be physical. You may be simply raising your energy toward the horse or making some noise like cracking a whip or clapping your hands. Again, as soon as there is the slightest response, the pressure must come off instantly. Timing is very important, because if the timing is bad, the horse may become confused and not get the message.
Pressure is used in many ways. It can be you excerting physical pressure on different parts of the horse. The horse may be set up to put the pressure on and release it by itself, so will actually train itself. The pressure can be swinging a rope in its direction and/or your energy or some kind of noise. Keep increasing the pressure until there is a response. Different methods for different situations.
The one thing you should NEVER do is get angry with your horse. Horses are very sensitive and will pick up on your moods instantly. If you are in a really bad mood, stay away from your horse or you could be asking for trouble, but that is a whole other subject....
Looking forward to your thoughts....
To get a horse to do anything when working with them, you put on pressure and the horse will move away from it. Start with gentle pressure and keep increasing until the horse comes off it - even if it is ever so slightly. The horses's reward is in you taking the pressure off. (Don't jab or jerk, as that can confuse the horse.) As you repeat this exercise, the pressure required to get the horse to move will become less and less until eventually it may barely require a touch. I may just mention here, that you should always keep yourself in a position of safety, in case the horse decides to turn the tables and put the pressure on you - until you are comfortable and know the horse well.
Depending on what you are doing, the pressure does not neccessarily have to be physical. You may be simply raising your energy toward the horse or making some noise like cracking a whip or clapping your hands. Again, as soon as there is the slightest response, the pressure must come off instantly. Timing is very important, because if the timing is bad, the horse may become confused and not get the message.
Pressure is used in many ways. It can be you excerting physical pressure on different parts of the horse. The horse may be set up to put the pressure on and release it by itself, so will actually train itself. The pressure can be swinging a rope in its direction and/or your energy or some kind of noise. Keep increasing the pressure until there is a response. Different methods for different situations.
The one thing you should NEVER do is get angry with your horse. Horses are very sensitive and will pick up on your moods instantly. If you are in a really bad mood, stay away from your horse or you could be asking for trouble, but that is a whole other subject....
Looking forward to your thoughts....
1 comment:
Sounds so simple hey, yet so many people aren't aware of it. And so many people who are, like me, need reminding a lot of the time!
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