Training Philosophy |
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The Horse - was designed for human use,
for our work and pleasure. He is a
wonderful gift to mankind and is extremely
well thought out. His needs and his mind
are simple, yet his body is strong and
athletic. His attitude is generally
co-operative. He is willing and
affectionate. He needs only to feel that he is
safe, that he is subordinate to us and to
understand his duties, and he will
co-operate.
for our work and pleasure. He is a
wonderful gift to mankind and is extremely
well thought out. His needs and his mind
are simple, yet his body is strong and
athletic. His attitude is generally
co-operative. He is willing and
affectionate. He needs only to feel that he is
safe, that he is subordinate to us and to
understand his duties, and he will
co-operate.
To teach him these three basics, we need
to be able to communicate with him. Since
it is not possible for him to learn our
language, we must learn his. Though
horses communicate by using a variety of
sounds and scents, they use “Body
Language” for most of their
communication with each other. This
language is instinctive to the horse when
he is born, but the specifics are learned by
experience.
to be able to communicate with him. Since
it is not possible for him to learn our
language, we must learn his. Though
horses communicate by using a variety of
sounds and scents, they use “Body
Language” for most of their
communication with each other. This
language is instinctive to the horse when
he is born, but the specifics are learned by
experience.
The first time his mother pins her ears back
at him for instance, he may not know what
she means, but once she backs it up with a
consequence, he will never again forget it’s
meaning.
at him for instance, he may not know what
she means, but once she backs it up with a
consequence, he will never again forget it’s
meaning.
In other words, he can learn new ”Words”
in “Body Language” and quickly discern
their meaning. Since horses never forget
anything, once we teach them a word or
command, they will remember it.
in “Body Language” and quickly discern
their meaning. Since horses never forget
anything, once we teach them a word or
command, they will remember it.
Two necessary ingredients are time and patience. There are no quick fixes or shortcuts in
horse training. Even if they seem to work for a particular problem, there will be a cost
somewhere down the road. It has been my observation that most of these “Short-Cuts”
involve cruelty or harsh treatment. These methods undermine one of the three basic needs of
the horse mentioned above; his need to feel safe. By investing more time with a good lesson
plan and enough repetitions, the lessons will become more permanent for the horse and he
will do it with a better attitude.
horse training. Even if they seem to work for a particular problem, there will be a cost
somewhere down the road. It has been my observation that most of these “Short-Cuts”
involve cruelty or harsh treatment. These methods undermine one of the three basic needs of
the horse mentioned above; his need to feel safe. By investing more time with a good lesson
plan and enough repetitions, the lessons will become more permanent for the horse and he
will do it with a better attitude.
