Horse Skills

 "Following a Feel"

Those words had no value to me all the years I interacted with the horse unintentionally offering continuous tension- on the lead rope, on the rein, in my leg, etc.  There was never any true release of pressure towards the horse (other than during a jump.)

Nowadays, one of the most intriguing and difficult concepts to teach students and horses, is how to "follow a feel." 

The human is heavy, quick to drive or send the horse to physically move, but rarely do they consider or understand how to first direct the horse's thought, then ask for his movement.

Horses (in anticipation of what they've unintentionally been taught) physically lock up, or brace, when they are mentally unclear, insecure, or defensive.

So you mix tight, heavy, dragging communication offered by the human, with a defensive, physically locked up animal, and wonder why the interaction is not soft or relaxed, and often feels "resistant."

Learning to prioritize clear intention, to offer segmented, specific, varied energy in the communication with the horse, creates an opening for Quality Conversations. When this occurs it creates a safe space for learning and retention without creating mindless patterns of repetition.

When the communication and aids are offered to a mentally available horse, the movement becomes soft and reasonable.

The video (beginning of week 2 with me) is of a 17 yo QH gelding who was a stallion until 2 months ago. He'd never been outside a barn, had no horse skills, was very anticipative, and physically pushy because of his defensiveness towards the human interaction. (Follow his story from arrival to present on TikTok or Instagram #alternativeHorsemanship)

It is crucial to separate directing the horse's thought via energy used down the lead rope, and then to ask for movement. 

If the horse's mind isn't available to search for what is being asked, it becomes a "hopeful" experience with the human reacting after the horse moves. This creates critical communication cycles, triggering fear and increasing concern in the horse.