| In today's horsed training world, it is becoming (if not | | | | initial training session. The trainer continues to repeat |
| already) increasing unacceptable for horses to be | | | | the above process, and after each time the colt will |
| trained through the use restriction and tying in order to | | | | become noticeably less nervous and shows a |
| defeat the horse. Rather the modern and more | | | | decreasing sense of danger as he becomes softer |
| humane methods rely on the philosophy of creating | | | | and less reactive in his movement away. |
| situations where the horse has a way out. The horse's | | | | There are two goals for this initial session, one - to get |
| way out being the trainer's desired action. By providing | | | | the colt to allow contact (physical - stroke) and two to |
| a way out and the horse always responds to you | | | | teach the colt to turn on a signal. This turning must be |
| because you made it his idea. As the horse realises | | | | towards the trainer as turning away still signals escape. |
| you are the one giving him a way out, he learns to | | | | The trainer approaches the horse (who is thinking, this |
| trust you and sees you as his friend. | | | | fellow has always given me a way out, he's ok), and |
| Let's look at a common situation amongst 'natural | | | | raises his outside hand. Remember the way out is for |
| horsemanship' proponents. | | | | the horse to turn towards you (not away and show |
| We have an unbroken colt in a round pen. When the | | | | you his rear). |
| trainer enters the colt immediately moves to the | | | | The trainer continues to repeat this until the horse |
| opposite side of the pen, out of fear and self | | | | becomes more relaxed and soft. Now the test of |
| preservation. In order to get the colt to move the | | | | trust, the trainer approaches the horse and attempt to |
| trainer approaches, but in doing so the trainer | | | | touch him between the eyes, if the colt continues to |
| approaches slightly to one side allowing the colt to | | | | move away the trainer will force the colt to move |
| move away (escape). By allowing an escape the | | | | away in a desired direction. The trainer will then stop |
| trainer is communicating to the colt and allowing him a | | | | driving the horse and allow him to face up and again |
| way out of the uncomfortable situation. | | | | attempt to rub him between the eyes, this continues |
| Let look at this a little more closely. If the trainer wishes | | | | until the horse allows the trainers rubbing. |
| the horse to move to the right, he will approach the | | | | Lets look at what has happened, the colt was doing |
| horse to the left, and allows the horse to move to the | | | | the wrong thing (not standing to be rubbed), and so the |
| right. The simple philosophy is 'make the wrong thing | | | | trainer made the wrong things difficulty and |
| difficult and the right thing easy'. | | | | uncomfortable by driving the colt away, eventually the |
| Now, I hear you thinking, big deal, but the trainer is | | | | colt worked it out and decided it was easier to stand |
| actually on the threshold of unlocking understanding | | | | and be rubbed. |
| and respect from the horse. So let's continue with the | | | | |