Reaching Horses
By Caryn A. Tate
To understand what the best tools are for teaching something to your horse, all it takes is a little knowledge of the things that matter most to him. Again I must go back to my old adage from previous articles-spend time with your horse! It's an invaluable tool in learning what's best for him, and what will work for both of you in your training process.
In this instance, spending all that time with your horse helps because it aids you in understanding what means the most to him. If you know, for example, that your horse absolutely loves his treat of grain every evening, that's important in helping you decide what to reward, or conversely punish, him with so that he understands what it is you're trying to teach him.
So reward should, in my opinion, be more than just a pat on the neck. And punishment should never come in the form of beatings, although a sharp tug on the reins or a whack on the nose is sometimes appropriate. Usually it’s appropriate when your horse does something physically that he's not supposed to (such as biting, kicking, bucking, etc.).
The reason I’m stressing this is because I’ve seen or heard of some people going to either extreme in an effort to make a lesson clear to a horse. Beatings, or conversely trying to “discuss” things with your horse, are not going to be effective in teaching him the right, or wrong, things to do (of course this is in addition to a beating simply being cruel).
Once you get to know your horse better, you’ll both begin to think as a team and learning—as well as teaching—will get easier. Thinking as one is a cliché for a reason—I’ve experienced it myself. It’s an amazing and beautiful thing, and it is possible. You just have to put in the time with the horse and put forth the effort to teach. That includes doing your best to think like he does.
It’s not that difficult once you establish a relationship with your horse. In basic terms, a horse (although most of them are very intelligent) thinks pretty simply. If he does what you want him to do and you pet him, tell him how happy you are with him, and give him extra grain (or a new kind of treat) that night, he’ll understand that he did well. If he doesn’t do what you wanted and you ask him to keep repeating the task at hand until he does it correctly, he’ll understand. Also if he doesn’t do what you wanted, but when you keep repeating it he still won’t do what you’ve asked, he’ll understand when he gets no grain or treat that night and is put to the same test the next day.
You don’t need to beat or beg results out of your horse. Both extremes only produce negative results. Just think in terms that he’ll understand and it’s less stressful for both of you.
About the Author:
I have lived around and worked with horses my entire life, and learned how to ride when I was a small child. Riding and training horses are great loves of mine, and I enjoy helping other people overcome training issues with their horses. I love working with horses and developing relationships with them, as well as talking about them with other people who are as passionate about the subject as I am.
Caryn may be contacted by email at scribe_79@yahoo.com.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
