How much choice does your horse have when you are training? If you are training your horse to do something, are they free to walk away if they are uncomfortable or fearful of what is being asked of them? Or are they restrained and doing what is asked as they may feel pain from a pressure halter, a bit, or perhaps as they are fearful of a whip? Do you chase or drive them forward or are they free to move at their own pace? This is a great little film about how important it is for animals to have choice and how it can affect our relationship with them. Although there arent any horses shown in the film, the principles are the same and there are close similarities to how you could teach a horse to load on a trailer or wagon. Using pressure in training tells your horse when he has done the wrong thing, but it doesnt tell him when he has done the right thing, this can make it tough for horses to guess what they are supposed to be doing. If a horse feels pressured into doing something they often start to lose confidence in the people present and may even become fearful of the environment. Rewarding your horse when he does the right thing not only makes it easier for him to work out what he is supposed to be doing, but can really improve your relationship. Every interaction we have with our horses will affect how they feel about us - so it is vital we have positive experiences and we are consistent with our approach. Has anything ever happened with your horse where you felt your relationship was damaged or they stopped trusting you?
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:10:43 +0000
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