Horse training philosophy: Leadership and trust
We want our horses to want to be with us, so we need to be interesting objects from their perspective. Who wouldn’t want to be with a creature that is gentle, talks softly, and scratches your itches? Note: Horses would generally rather be scratched or rubbed than patted.
We can provide pleasant experiences for the animal while still establishing ourselves as the leader simply by being the one that makes the decisions and establishing boundaries. Establish an imaginary barrier around yourself that the horse is never allowed to invade and allowed to enter only by invite. If a horse gets too close to your bubble you simply meet him at your bubble’s edge with an elbow, closed fist, knee, or whatever. You’re not going to swing or strike at the animal; you’re just going to put a body part or blunt object in the way; so the horse thinks, “Wow, I just bumped my nose on your bubble and it was an unpleasant experience. Maybe I shouldn’t do that.”
Sometimes just ignoring the animal and walking away if he gets too close is enough. Remember, a foal is simply learning about the world and has no evil intent; it’ll just chalk that playful or nip as something that didn’t feel good. It may, out of curiosity, try it again and if the same thing happens he or she will likely recognize that activity as something it didn’t enjoy and maybe shouldn’t do again. Balance the negative experience with more rubbing and scratching and it’ll all end up a positive bonding time for each of you. This is also a good time to start the animal associating your words with a pleasant feeling which will later be a verbal reward. I say an encouraging “g-o-o-o-d” when I’m scratching or rubbing at this time and will always use this word and cadence when I’m providing a feel-good experience for the animal so when I’m later doing more in-depth training and the animal hears that word it recognizes that same sensation.
We exert our leadership qualities during this early foal training experience by not allowing the animal into our bubble and also by gently and respectfully entering theirs. Touching a leg can turn into picking up a foot after a session or two and shouldn’t turn into a battle. Next comes putting on the halter followed by gently guiding the baby horse around you, perhaps with one hand on the halter and one on the foal’s hip. Run a second cotton lead rope around it’s back end, but not getting caught between it’s rump and the tail, and with a gentle tug and immediate release after he or she takes a step and you’re in the process of teaching the foal to lead. A little scratch and “g-o-o-o-d”.
I try to give mature horses the benefit of the doubt when I have them in for training. I follow the general formula of scratching and touching as with foals, although I have to be more careful of them injuring me, particularly those that might have a real disregard for the human race. Horses that have had limited contact with humans usually come around quickly. Those that only associate humans with bad experiences take more time and patience. Leadership and trust need to be earned.
Social distancing/COVID 19 update: Ann and I listened to an encouraging message from a doctor in NY. He shared that we now know enough about COVID 19 that most of us can be pretty assured prevent from catching it if we continue social distancing and while doing, minimize physically expanding outside a small social circle of friends and family who are also social distancing. If you do need to go somewhere maintain the 6′ distance from others, when possible disinfect objects you and others may come in contact with (doorknobs, etc.) and wash or sanitize your hands frequently before, during, and after going out. We should also be extra careful when in potentially virus-catching areas about not touching your face as the virus is almost always transmitted through the mouth, nose, or eyes. That is where a mask, even a bandana, can help as it reminds you to be diligent and not touch your face. Nothing really new in that paragraph, but he reminded us it isn’t a mysterious disease and is pretty predictable in how it is transmitted and the capabilities to prevent it from happening are there.
Have a safe and fun social distancing weekend!
Tucker and Charlie today on the pedestals. Looking at the world from a new angle can be an intriguing and bonding experience.
