Improving Horse Skills

 Links of Communication 

 

What does the mounting block, walking out a gate, loading into a horse trailer, crossing over a tarp, or passing through a stream have in common?

None of them are about the actual task. Instead, they can all reflect if there is quality, intentional, specific communication or if one lacks having the tools to present scenarios without overwhelming the horse. Each is an Opportunity to refine first engaging and directing the horse's focus, then asking for adaptable, specific, intentional movement.

Each allows for an Opportunity to help the horse learn how to think their way through a scenario to offer reasonable behavior. Instead, many people are only focused on getting physical compliance, accept mindless responces due to familiarity, or create fear-based participation in the equine.

The horse's physical feedback "afterward"- all reflect what he experienced during the scenario that was presented. Examples: once the rider is in the saddle if the horse immediately moves forward, the horse that rushes after passing through the gate, the horse that unloads from the trailer in a hurry, the horse quickens and shortens his steps across the tarp, the horse lunges across/away from the stream, etc.

But most people fixate on the task, rather than taking the time to initially address and educate the horse how to mentally stay present and be physically adaptable. The following are just a few questions to assess the horse's education and skills:

How does the horse respond to physical and spatial pressure?

Can his mind be directed WITHOUT  him moving his feet?

Can different area of his body move independent without  a heaviness,
brace or imbalance?

Are there varying degrees in his energy,
When asked to halt does his mind pause with his feet?

Ignoring checking-in with where the horse's thought, or addressing if he is mentally directable- meaning can you redirect his focus from what he initially offered, before presenting a scenario,limits the ability to influence his energy and physical movements.

Asking for movement without engaging the horse's mind creates a, "Let's see what happens," or a unintentional challenging of the horse to get "it" right, rather than using previously established "tools" to help the horse think, search, and try, with fear.

Even if a horse begins unsure or is in a new situation, if he is offered communication that has value to him, it can be a confidence-building, learning opportunity.

Without that support, scenarios can quickly escalate into a stressful and overwhelming event for both the horse and human that can lead to defensiveness in future learning.

Imagine each thing you ask of your horse is one small link in a "chain" of events. If you are hopeful or "waiting" to see what the horse will do, you are leaving it up to him to take over and decide how he will physically respond.

If you intervene after the fact, it creates a critical interaction causing defensiveness in the horse and diminishes his willingness to try in the future.

If instead of focusing on task accomplishment, one develops and offers Quality Communication to the horse, both new or familiar scenarios become non-events, and contribute to a solid, trust-based partnership.