 |
|
|
|
|
Sample Our Newsletter
"Good Now Bad Later," from my FREE monthly newsletter
From the How to Train a Horse Series:
"Every time you teach an exercise, your horse will go through the same learning cycle. He'll go from "Bad" to "Good" to "Worse" to "Not So Bad" to "Learned." That's the typical cycle: Bad. Good. Worse. Not so bad. Learned.
You know "Good." "Good" is where we get excited. It's the part where we want to show off to our friends. We want to show somebody how soft our horse has become, so we walk over to brag to somebody, pick up our reins and the horse sticks his nose straight out, stiff as a board. We're embarrassed and our friends snicker. We've just entered the "worse" stage. It's the part where "he was getting but now he's not."
It's during the "worse" part where we typically second-guess our training. "The horse was good but now he's worse. I must be doing something wrong." You begin to think you need to change what you're doing. "Maybe my hand's in the wrong position" or "I'm using too little pressure." You begin to think you're doing something that's not correct. That's when we're most likely to change what we're doing. But that's the most important time for us to not change, to keep on doing what we're doing. You've got to get through this stage by being consistent. Keep doing the same thing over and over so that the horse realizes all the movements that are "mistakes" and which single movement is correct. It's consistency and time that teach your horse."
(sign up | read more) |
| |
|
|
|
From John Lyons Trainer Keith Hosman |
| |
|
| |
Trailer Training Horses
A Downloadable Book
A sample from Day 5:
"If the pawing has reached a level where you need to specifically deal with it, then tie him to the outside of the trailer or another safe place, ignore his pawing and allow him to get accustomed to standing there for several hours. (This presumes that your horse can be safely tied. Don't tie a horse that doesn't tie.) You'll need to stay nearby and make sure he's got occasional water and shade. Make sure that you never untie him when he's pawing and only praise him when he's acting like a gentleman. (Petting horses to calm them says, in effect, "Good, horsey, go ahead and do that again.") When you can tie the horse in several different areas and he'll stand quietly, progress to tying him within the trailer and the problem will begin to fade away. For eons people have been tying their horses to "Patience Posts," which is the same idea." - Print out from home
- 5 Days, 5 chapters
- Learn at your own pace
Just $4.99
For more info:
this course | all courses
Available Downloads:
"Stop Bucking"
"Rein/Speed" (for Nervous Horse Owners)
"Round Pen First Steps"
"Trailer Training"
|
|
|
 |
|
|
GUEST AUTHOR ARTICLES
How to Catch a Horse
|
Tell A Friend (click to send them an email)
Link to this Page (click for code and easy instructions)
Find this article faster next time:
"Retraining The Hard To Catch Horse"
By Ron Petracek
One of the most frustrating things with some horses is trying to catch them. We school them for riding but so often the basic on the ground things are just assumed they know. Or, worse, we're in a hurry so carelessly rush through haltering, turn around and jerk the horse forward then smack him for not knowing your intention...and who wants to be around that kind of a boss?!
The retraining of a hard to catch horse needs two simple things. A roundpen and a rope. Well ok four - a roundpen, a rope, a hard to catch horse and you. Get your horse into the roundpen and let him go. He wants to run off he comes around to the same spot.
While he's blowing off steam you compose yourself. Forget the daily hassles, forget the bills that need paid and get in the moment. No past, no future right now. Forget the hour it took you to catch him yesterday. Right now. Check your body language. If you don't think your body language and attitude makes a difference try this - saunter up quietly but firmly...not threatening. He might run off but it's at his pace because he's learned it. Now tense your body, clench fists, walk aggressively at him and notice the change...most horses will run as if their life is endangered. For a prey animal it might be. So check your attitude! Don't make it harder than it is.
Now walk calmly towards the horse's *shoulder*. Not the head, not the rump...but his shoulder. If he runs flick the rope at him and push him. Now you're going to MAKE him work. Push him around at a good clip, block his path by walking as if in front of him to make him turn around. Check him this way several times, each time pushing him away. He wants to run *you* take control and decide when, where and when he can stop. Most horses before too long will begin flicking an ear towards you, often dropping the head. Let him stop, and try again. If he takes off again then you once again repeat. The stopping, turning and running under your direction are *work* and make no mistake it's work few horses enjoy.
Once he no longer runs off continue walking calmly towards his neck or shoulder. Don't reach for him. If you're standing there and he's puffing let him think about it. "Hmmm...she's right here but I get to rest...not so bad." Then calmly turn and walk back to the center. Many are surprised how many horses follow them.
Walk up to him again. Remember - moving off means WORK. Standing means rest. Reach over and stroke his neck. Then and only then - when the horse is standing relaxed - catch him. Pet him a little, groom him then turn him loose again.
Repeat the process. It doesn't take most horses long to figure out that being with you is pleasant...running (and work) is more effort than it is worth. The horse has a choice - but the best and easiest choice for him is being with you. Make the time *with* you pleasant. If the only time you catch him is for medicine and vet treatments, he will soon learn it's not pleasant to be with you.
Consistently working on these principles can mean most horses will come around rather quickly. They like being with you...they get their food from you, they get attention from you. You are safe. With these simple keys and a little time your 'hard to catch' horse may be not hard to catch but rather a past misunderstanding.
From early on teaching a horse to be good to catch is an asset.
About the Author: Ron Petracek was raised in southern Idaho with horses and the great outdoors. With this continued passion He now shares through a a vast equine network. Learn more by clicking the links below. Amazing Equine Network System - Horses for sale most everything equine related. Get More Horse Classified coverage and distribution with less cost and work. Award Winning Horse Forum
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=240559&ca=Pets
***
Next, I'd Read:
***
Disclaimer: Equine training can be a hazardous activity which may subject the participants to possible serious injury. Keith Hosman, Josh Lyons, Patrick Benson, their associates and other trainers listed on this site will not assume any liability for your activities. Our newsletter, books and videos provide general information, instruction and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. No warranty is given regarding the suitability of this information, the instructions, and techniques to you or other individuals acting under your instructions.
All Rights Reserved (TM) 2008, horsemanship101.com
No part of this website, including newsletter material and photos, may be reproduced without our express written permission.
|
 |
| |
If you're reading this article, you may want to check out: |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Horse Owning: How to Catch a Horse, advice for the horse owner provided by John Lyons Certified Trainer Keith Hosman
Bookmark horsemanship101.com for Horse-Keeping Tips
|
|
|
|
|
