Horse Communication- Keeping it Simple

I had some upper level Dressage horses in one of my clinic sessions yesterday. Riders were talking about how they felt they kept having to "do more" and yet were getting less response from their horses.

Evolving Journey of our Horsemanship

Some days everything may go as planned and then there are days where nothing seems to be able to be accomplished. My personality is to "will" things to happen, but it has taken a lot of years and intention to realize that wasn't going to work when it came to the horses.

Horse Skills: Tying a Rope Halter Knot

 

Rope Halter Typing & Fitting Tips

 

 

Most people using this type of halter are not tying the knot correctly. If incorrectly tightened, the halter slips and loosens after a short while. This can become dangerous if the bottom section gets "stuck" around the horse's jaw and he panics.

Horse Rider Tips: Resetting Breath

 Tips for Resetting your Breathing and Releasing Tension at the Halt

Without realizing it, many riders hold their breath quite frequently when interacting with or riding the horse.

Heavy Horse Behavior Help

 It is all connected

[Photo Credit: The Equine Documentalist]

This is a great visual example of the "strings" I often talk about throughout the horse's body. The trickle-down effect of how one body part influences another, even if literally at the other end of the horse's body.

I've used the analogy of the string on a dog food bag; you start pulling one end, and the whole thing unravels.

When people tell me about a horse that is heavy on the bit, resistant in the backing, difficult to hold a canter or lope lead, etc., there are usually multiple other factors contributing to the unwanted physical behaviors.

Developing a Quality Relationship with the Horse

Every week I receive 20-30 "Ask the Trainer requests"... From unwanted trail behavior/lack of manners to groundwork issues to equipment suggestions to feeding options, etc. from around the world. People often expect a "step by step" or "cut and dry" answer. Their focus is on the unwanted physical action without considering the horse's mental or emotional status.

Improving Horse Skills & Refining Communication

 

Why are you doing "that"?...

Catching the horse that way...

Grooming the horse in that place...

Mounting on that side...

Leading on that side...

Starting the ride in that direction...

Working on that specific movement... 

 

Pressure & Horses: Human Interpretation

 

I’ve never had an “English” language conversation with a horse, but over the years I feel that I’ve found some degree of a “common language” with which I use to communicate with them. I explain to students there is no “one” way to do things, and I always tell people “take what you like, leave what you don’t” from any learning situation. I finished reading a horse blog the other day and realized that in this day and age I don’t think you can participate in any aspect of the horse world without hearing the word “pressure” in reference to communicating with the horse.