Guest Author - Susan Hopf
The First Basic Tenet of Equine Stewardship: You must lead if your horse is to trust you.
A horse that does not know its place in the world is not a happy horse. Horses are not particularly interested in being leaders for leadership carries with it a great deal of responsibility.
Before we humans actually put hands on a horse we should all understand certain realities of how horses react both physically and mentally when asked to come into the human realm of existence. There is nothing natural in our hopping onto the back of a horse and expecting them to carry us happily along into a field or a show. We, as the thinking partner, must learn to speak “horse” if we are to succeed in creating a civil, contented mount.
Horses are flight animals. When confronted with threatening aspects of their life their first instinct is to run. If unable to flee they will fight but only if absolutely necessary. This is why, despite very bad training approaches and down right abuse, horses will still accommodate human commands even if it causes them pain to do so. Since horses are no longer required to carry our burdens we must change the way we deal with them in our daily lives.
Creating a working partnership with a horse, keeping in mind how your horse views his world, may sound like more work than pleasure but it is really easier than one may think. And when you look up at the end of your lesson and your horse is calmly waiting for your next request it is all worth it.
So now the question is posed – how do we implement this understanding into practical training technique?
We can start with the simplest yet most important early lesson - leading your horse. If horses do not wish to lead then that job is yours as soon as you connect lead rope to halter. You take your space and the horse should never invade that space. If you allow your horse to step into your space he has learned that you are not a strong leader. Leaders that do not maintain their space and their lead status are quickly challenged within the herd but not due to aggression – if you do not present strong leadership qualities your herd mate(s) will not trust you to make sound decisions. This causes confusion and insecurity within your flight-oriented partner. You must lead if your horse is to trust you.
Your horse should walk with you shoulder to shoulder, on her own four feet without leaning, rushing or lagging behind. Since horses speak with body language you can gain much control simply by controlling your own body. You set the pace. If she is rushing stand tall and slow down. Lagging behind? With your free hand around behind you tap her barrel with the end of the lead or a whip and ask her to catch up. If she objects and runs past you redirect by standing tall and slowing down. If she objects and stops do not, I repeat do not, turn and pull. Never allow your horse to change your position. Keep walking, even if it’s in place and keep tapping, escalating the severity until she decides to come forward. As soon as she comes forward stop tapping. Even if she immediately throws on the brakes you still must stop asking and then re-apply the aid. If you do not stop asking when she gives you the correct answer, even if it be a tiny give, she will not know that she has given you the right answer.
Keep repeating until she understands where she belongs. This lesson should be kept in mind every single time you connect lead to halter. Once the lesson is learned you will not have to repeat it to the same degree but if you get sloppy and the horse challenges your position you need to be ready to maintain your leadership role.
Leaning on you or into your space takes a bit more correction but is just as simple. If he pushes his shoulder into you, even if he does not make contact, redirect it with lead or whip. Maintain your position as best you can and try to correct the shoulder around and behind you with a tap of the lead or whip. If this does not work you will need to turn and face him and move him around you by displacing the shoulders. Stand slightly off to the side, in case he should strike, with arm stretched toward the direction you wish the horse to go and touch the shoulder with whip or lead until he takes a step away. Repeat until he moves happily around you and understands that when you touch the shoulder he should move away from that touch. Now take your leading position again and if he leans into you reach around and behind you and touch the same shoulder. If the lesson was learned he should take his own space and walk with you shoulder to shoulder on his own four feet. If not repeat above exercise until the leading goes as it should. As you correct the shoulder also keep in mind the pace should be yours as well.
Many forms of resistance are apt to occur. You need to maintain your position and your goal and ignore any hysterics the horse may throw your way. Please email me with any specific concerns.
