| There are many trainers in the horse industry that | | | | who can come to your farm and will work with you |
| promise they start, train or retrain horses in a specific | | | | and your horse. Be realistic about your own skill level, |
| period of time. While "quick fix" training can change | | | | training knowledge and the time you have available to |
| your horse's behaviour in the short term; it can end up | | | | commit to a training program. |
| doing a lot of psychological and physical damage to | | | | 3) Do research to find a reputable, professional trainer. |
| your horse in the long term. | | | | Ask questions, ask for references and watch the |
| Quick fix training uses force and punishment to get the | | | | trainer working with horses. Stay away from any |
| desired result at the expense of the horse's | | | | trainer who discourages you from watching training |
| psychological and/or physical safety. The trainer | | | | sessions, doesn't want to answer your questions or |
| focuses on the symptom rather than the cause of the | | | | doesn't want you involved in the training program. A |
| behavior. So, the underlying reasons for the behavior | | | | good trainer will want to include you in the training so |
| are not addressed. The causes get buried until one | | | | that you know what to do when you are working with |
| day the horse explodes "without warning", becomes | | | | your horse on your own. You are responsible for your |
| aggressive, or just shuts down. When the behavior is | | | | horse's care, training and well being whether he is in |
| punished without the cause being identified, the training | | | | your care or someone else's. |
| creates more stress and anxiety to the horse. A | | | | 4) Ask how long the training will take. If the trainer |
| stressed and anxious animal cannot learn as well, | | | | gives you a specific time frame (e.g. 30 days), be |
| perform at his best, or trust and respect his trainer. | | | | wary. The real answer is ... it depends. It depends on |
| The following 4 tips will help to create positive changes | | | | the age, temperament, intelligence & previous |
| in your horse's behavior, while building trust, respect and | | | | training of your horse. It depends on the training |
| a calm, willing frame of mind. | | | | environment and the frequency and consistency of the |
| 1) Diagnose the cause of the undesired behaviour. | | | | training sessions. It depends on the cause of the |
| Does the behaviour have a physical, psychological or | | | | behaviour, how long it has been going on and how |
| training cause? Treating the symptom of the behaviour | | | | deeply ingrained it is. Some positive effects of the |
| without identifying the cause is just simply unfair to the | | | | training may be evident after the first session. But, don't |
| horse and can have long term repercussions. Many | | | | be surprised if you don't see a positive change until |
| behavioural problems are caused by unidentified | | | | after several sessions. Horses, like people, have |
| physical pain. Have a vet, massage therapist and/or | | | | different learning curves. The trainer will also have to |
| chiropractor thoroughly check your horse's back | | | | earn a certain level of trust and respect from the |
| (muscles and spine), mouth, teeth and eyes for any | | | | horse. Until these have been gained, no real training can |
| problems. Do a thorough inspection of all your tack to | | | | happen. When you are re-training a horse to eliminate |
| ensure it is in good repair and fits your horse well. | | | | an undesirable behaviour, it will take longer than training |
| Saddles, girths & bits can become worn and | | | | a brand new behavior. |
| imbalanced or develop sharp areas. Tack fit also | | | | The biggest mistake people make in trying to eliminate |
| changes - particularly saddles - as your horse's body | | | | undesirable behaviours in their horses and get the riding |
| shape changes with age and exercise. Next take a | | | | partnership they want is looking for quick fix training |
| close look at your own riding and how it affects the | | | | methods that address the symptom without diagnosing |
| horse. Are you an educated rider or a green rider? | | | | the underlying cause. |
| Many years spent in the saddle does not necessarily | | | | That's simply unfair to your horse and, in the end, not |
| mean you are educated about good riding and | | | | best for either you or your horse. |
| horsemanship. Do you ride with quiet, soft hands, a | | | | The best way to reach your riding goals is to have a |
| stable seat and legs? Are you balanced and supple? | | | | long term plan, consistent training and empathy and |
| Are you in good physical shape? Do you hold a lot of | | | | understanding for the horse. Be prepared to take as |
| tension in your body when you ride? | | | | much time as it takes; to continue with the training |
| 2) Decide if you need help from a professional trainer. | | | | program "until" - until you get the desired result. Good |
| Don't let your ego get in the way of resolving training | | | | training takes as long as it takes. With patience and the |
| issues. It may benefit both you and your horse to work | | | | right kind of training, you can build a solid foundation built |
| with a professional trainer. If you can't afford to send | | | | on trust and respect that will benefit both you and your |
| your horse to a training facility, find a freelance trainer | | | | horse, and that will last a lifetime. |