Horse Training 101
Horse training is an art. But it also
has rules that govern how to work with and train a
horse.
For instance, when you're training a horse to do something,
you don't want to drill him with it so much that he becomes
sour on it and unwilling to do it next time. The trick is to
get him doing what you ask, then asking him to do it a few more
times, then stop asking.
You can ask him to do it more for you the next day but you
should stop asking for too much.
Here's a human view on why that's important.
If you were to get a piece of paper and write the word
"training" on it, chances are you would do it just fine.
But what if I asked you write it again? Why would I ask you
to do that? Because I just want to make sure you know to do it.
So, I ask you to write it again.
When you get done writing it again I pat you on the back and
say "Way to go. Now, let's do it again."
Apprehensive and sighing, you do it again. This time, after
you write it, I ask you to immediately re-do it because I want
it capitalized.
You give me a dirty look and rewrite it.
Then I ask you to do it again.
Now....aren't you getting tired of rewriting the word
"training"? After all, you did what I asked. Plus, I asked you
to rewrite it and capitalize it. It was still the same word and
you were still doing what I asked but I just wanted to make
sure you were doing it.
This gives you a feel for why a horse shouldn't have to redo
something over and over. The rule is once he gets it and does
it a few more times then quit asking for it. Give him something
else to do. Make it interesting for him.
Another thing I like to do is assess my horse's disposition
before I start working with him. I like to know what my student
is like before I start his education.
For instance, is he a nervous horse? If so, I'll be very
quick to reward him and carefully use aids. I'll keep his
confidence high by caressing him often.
Or, is he a willful horse? If so, I'll have to be more
persistent and patient to get him doing something I ask.
It's important to know what a horse is like before training
like a teacher should know her students before teaching.
If you were a teacher and the school principal accurately
described what each kid was like then you could be a more
effective teacher.
For instance, what if you had a kid that was deaf in one ear
and a little hard of hearing in the other but was a fast
learner? As a teacher, if you didn't know this you may be
inclined to think this child is lazy or perhaps dumb. And if
the child sat in the back of the room the whole time this
problem would only get worse - and you wouldn't know he is a
fast learner.
But if you knew he was deaf in one ear and hard of hearing
in the other then you'd want to put him in the front row and
talk louder. Perhaps you may suggest his parents get him a
hearing aid. You'll do all you can to help your student
learn.
This is much like a horse. The teacher must do all he can to
help his horse learn. The teacher must understand his horse
first to see how he can best help his student learn.
About The Author: Andy Curry is a nationally known
horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training
and horse care books. For information visit his website at
www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also
the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training methods
which can be seen at
www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.
Horseback Riding Articles:
|