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Sample Our Newsletter
"Whoever Moves First Loses," from my FREE monthly newsletter
From the Horse Body Language Series:
"As common sensical as this sounds, you'd be amazed how often somebody will ask (at a clinic) how to fix a behavioral issue – and swear they've been strict with their horses – and yet I can see several screaming signals from the horse that he's spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. The owner, no disrespect if I'm describing uh, you, is wholly oblivious.
There's a little something we can do to take back (sustain, or solidify) our rightful spot as leader and it comes down to this: Horse are programmed by nature to understand that "Whoever causes the other to move is the boss." Watch a group of horses in the pasture. At feeding time you'll see that the boss mare can easily move the others away from the trough as she approaches. Granted, she's earned this respect by backing up the threats she makes today with kicks made yesterday – but this underlying understanding is the point here. From today forward, each and every time she gets the other horse to move without lifting a finger, so to speak, she further cements an understanding of just who's calling the shots. "I don't get out of your way, you get out of mine." You can take a cue from nature by instituting a similar measure.
When working, walking or otherwise moving near our horses, we need to begin expecting the animal to move away as we approach as did the Red Sea from Moses. If your horse is between you and the gate, don't walk around the horse to the exit, expect the horse to move out of your way as you approach."
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From John Lyons Trainer Keith Hosman |
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Your Foal: Essential Training
A Downloadable Book
A sample from Day 1:
"Next, we need to begin demanding that the horse keeps two eyes on us when requested. Look at your horse, standing there as positioned, perpendicular to the fence. Ask him to look at you with both eyes by making a kissing sound, then raising your arms or calling to him if the kiss doesn't work. Pause and, in a beat or two, he'll look away. Kiss to bring both eyes back. (Don't settle for one – get both.) We want the kiss to eventually become our cue for the horse to turn and face us, so be careful to begin with that. Should he ignore your request, try clapping your hands or stamping your feet – do what it takes to get those two eyes back on you.
When he'll keep those eyes on you for several beats (and understands "kiss means look at the human"), build on this by sidestepping slightly to your right or left, expecting the horse's neck to turn and his gaze to stay on you. When he looks away, kiss – but do what it takes to bring those eyes back on you if he ignores that kiss. He might turn and walk or even run away. If that happens, use your inside turns to bring him back into position. If he tunes out completely and begins ignoring you, don’t be afraid to wake him back up. You're better off sending him back around the pen a time or two then you are letting him stand there, ignoring your requests. (Allowing him to ignore you inches you progressively down the respect totem. I can't stress this enough: Do not let your horse ignore you. He gets one request (one "kiss") and if he ignores that, we back it up with a clap, a scream, a smack of the whip.)" - Print out from home
- 5 Days, 5 chapters
- Learn at your own pace
Just $5.99
For more info:
this course | all courses
Available Downloads:
"Stop Bucking"
"Rein/Speed" (for Nervous Horse Owners)
"Round Pen First Steps"
"Trailer Training"
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Riding Discipline
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"Why were the riders at Wilson College beating their horses?"
Written by Terry Peiper
Last week I had a great opportunity to work with the OPRC, also known as the Equestrians of Fine Vintage at their annual riding camp at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA.
Riders were split up into several small group sessions. We worked on a variety of exercises including warm up stretches, our 12 step program, preparatory commands, transitions and lateral movements. Time after time I was excited to celebrate the horses’ willingness to try and their improvements. But when I would yell “praise him” the horses were slapped on their necks. Of course, not one single rider meant any harm to the horse; in their minds, they were praising the horse for a job well done.
Horses would much rather be rubbed then slapped or scratched. If you want to say, Good job, I’m proud of you, trust me, relax, you are Ok,” then rub the horse in front of his withers or on his face in the direction the hair goes very slowly. Then watch his eye soften, his head drop, and his mouth lick and chew. When a horse is slapped, the head comes up, they muscle up, the eyes get big and the horse is startled. Most horses get used to it and become desensitized, but they still don’t hear what we meant to say which is, “ Good job buddy, thank you so much for your efforts.”
One very large handsome gelding literally gave an award winning performance over some very large fences, but when he was finished, he was slapped. His expression immediately went from “Look what I did Mom!” to a very startled “What did I do wrong?” Fortunately for him and for me watching, he was quickly relieved to hear his Mom’s kind words of reassurance and praise.
Horses are very sensitive not only to our touch but also our body language. We’ve all heard that a horse can tell when you are afraid. Of course, they can also tell when they are with a confident, trustworthy and respectable leader. They can sense it through our body language. A confident leader stands tall, eyes up and forward and knows exactly when, where and what they want to do. A trustworthy leader is consistent and always uses the preparatory commands. A respectable leader is always honest and communicates to the horse in a language he can understand, like rubbing him instead of slapping.
Horses that spook, are barn or buddy sour. or won’t load on a trailer are lacking good leadership. A horse is a herd animal. In the herd someone is in charge and everyone else follows. You see this a lot on trail rides. The leader is in front and all the other horses follow not knowing or caring where they are going. They know that it is the leader’s responsibility to pick the path and keep them safe. The leader tells the herd where they are going, when they are going and how fast they are going there. Most horses are content to be the follower and let someone else be in charge. Those are the horses that are considered to be easy to train. Others are more of the army general type or think they are the boss. These are the horses that are more difficult to train.
So, why were the riders at Wilson College beating their horses? Well, actually they weren’t. I just said that to get your attention, so hopefully more horses will actually hear “good job” today. Next question: How many times do we mean to say one thing but the horse actually hears something totally different?
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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.
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Horse Owning: Riding Discipline, advice for the horse owner provided by John Lyons Certified Trainer Keith Hosman
Bookmark horsemanship101.com for Horse-Keeping Tips
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