Equine Competitive Sports Psychology (ECSP)
There are a few definitions for ‘sports psychology’ offered by various psychologists as well as coaches and sports professionals.
A science that deals with the mental and emotional aspects of physical performance.
is one that fits fairly well I think. Another is;
Sport Psychology is the study of the psychological and mental factors that influence and are influenced by participation and performance in sport.
Until now, it appears there has been nothing or little recorded or written about the psychology of equine competitive sports. This may be due in part because of the fact that this is a competition where a human and another specie are partnered together with the goal of high level performance and winning in various disciplines, as opposed to participation by a single human. This unique situation prompts delving into not only the psychology of excellent performance by the human, but the horse as well. An in depth inquiry into the mind and psyche of the horse is essential along with the same study of the human psyche. This is where many problems arise as the horse is a very different creature than a human. Great misunderstanding and lack of knowledge of horses abounds worldwide. There are many great riders who know little of the true nature of the horse they are riding. This lack of understanding prevents many fine equestrians from achieving the higher levels of competitive success. Certainly the practice of visualization, conscious breathing, acquiring technical skills, regular and appropriate training and practice of a particular discipline will go a long way to assist good performance. But there is something more required in the partnership of the horse and human in order to achieve the upper levels in competition.
This is the development of mutual trust. If the human does not really understand the mind of a horse, the tendency is to go to forcing the animal to comply when it shows resistance with a request, to produce enough fear in the animal that it fears the human more than what is asked by the human. Of course many good riders win and do achieve a degree of competitive success without knowing much about the horse they are riding, fewer have developed mutual trust. Their only thought is to win with little concern for the well being of the horse other than cursory interest within the competitive environment. Eventually, the horse’s behavior often times shows fear. Then frustration levels increase until, even the most talented horse becomes unruly, uncooperative and actually dangerous to the human and itself.
Many times in my international travels I see somewhat high level competitive horses with little to no respect or trust for the humans handling or around them. They have never been trained to develop trust or respect for humans. The focus during their entire lives has been being ridden. Therefore, when a situation comes up that prompts a fearful reaction by the horse, they tend to want to leave the situation as quickly as possible as opposed to trusting the human enough to hang in there with that human and attempt to move through their fear. This is when the human takes the appropriate role as the wonderful, trusted leader for the horse. Horses are not slaves. They are supposed to be obedient. They are truly supposed to be ‘partnered’ with and led as being led by the great dance partner. There is supposed to be earned mutual trust and respect, understood skills acquired by both and a bond that has a strong connection at it core based on this earned trust. Unfortunately, it is only occasionally I see a human stepping up to the plate of earning the trust and respect of a horse. It is rarely I see competitive horses so well and appropriately handled and trained that they trust the humans with it much at all and vice/versa. Often it is only the groom who develops a modicum of trust with a competition horse. As a horse is a prey animal, eaten by predators, it has a huge flight response to a fearful situation or thing. This ‘fearful thing’ could be a jump, flash from cameras, loud noise like applause, loud music, sounds of traffic, a piece of plastic blowing in the breeze or
some invisible ‘monster’ lurking behind a bush. So many different things can produce a fearful response in a horse the list is endless. This fearful reaction can cause a rider to fall, get seriously or mortally injured and, least of all, to lose the competition. Some humans really do care about and have understanding and compassion about the natural fear that horses can have and react to. Some humans couldn't care less. They have no relationship with the horse even when on its back. These humans may occasionally win some ribbons and trophies. But, they will never achieve the long term higher levels of performance enjoyed by those few who seek to know and understand the horse they are riding and have that special relationship based on mutual trust.
The desire and ability to assist a horse through a fearful situation, to the outcome of confidence and trust is huge in ECSP. A human must want to know and understand the fear that can be within a horse. They must have the strong desire to discover the source of that fear and assist the animal learning that there is nothing really to be afraid of. Getting angry at a fearful horse is a sure fire, quick way to failure in any endeavor with that animal. First there must be compassion. A fearful horse is just like a fearful child, only dangerous. As we would show compassion and kindness to a child who is afraid, we must do the same with our horses. Once we come forward with this compassion and kindness, we can then take on the role of skillful leader/teacher and assist that individual in discovering for it self there is really nothing to fear.
This is how trust and respect are earned with horses; initially, it is our ability to ask for and receive simple, quiet movement by the horse as the beginning step to becoming the great and trusted leader for a horse. Our skill at requesting slow, precise and exact movement from a horse, one-step-at-a-time, will insure that horse will learn to trust us and be quite willing to, at least, attempt to comply with our requests. If a horse is properly and gently trained to respect the boundaries of a human handling it on the ground, it will tend to most often respect the leadership of the human who is in the saddle. It is a sad commentary on humans that so very few great relationships exist between horses and humans throughout the world. It is such a simple thing to accomplish. First the desire to help the horse trust (feel) it is safe has to be in place. Then a human needs to want to be a good leader for the horse and to assist the horse in gaining confidence through the elimination of as much fear from the life of the horse as possible. Then comes the relatively simple skills required to accomplish this. Again, those skills are the abilities of the human to gently and skillfully direct and guide all movement of the animal when that person is with it. This is perfectly logical as this is what the herd leader does with the horse herd in the wild. The rest of the herd trusts and follows that leader easily and willingly. That leader helps assure the survival of the herd. She is revered and protected by the herd. Her authority is unquestioned and unchallenged, again, because she helps assure survival of the herd through her knowledge and leadership abilities. The herd leader does not induce fear into the other members of the herd. She does not punish even the rambunctious younger members of the herd. She will, however, provide an appropriate consequence for unwanted behavior from a herd member. This approach sets up a learning situation rather than creating resentment and anger. She earns their trust and respect through her wonderful leadership. It’s that simple.
So, along with appropriate breath control (proper and conscious breathing), being in the best physical shape possible, practiced and skillful technique, a calm and focused mind and the acquired ability to visualize a great outcome of the competition, comes a great and trusted partnership, a wonderful joining of different species in a common goal. This goal is similar to the goal of great dance partners who have come together though practice, knowledge, skill, compassion, kindness and earned mutual trust and respect to offer up a wonderful example of excellence in partnership, shared talents and the best performance possible. Certainly this is a winning combination that cannot be beat.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
Monday 25 January 2010
30. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
How do Horses Show Affection?
Horses are extremely affectionate. If you get a chance to see them in the wild they are mutually grooming each other, scratching each other, leaning gently into each other, sharing breath with each other (a very intimate activity done by putting their noses together and sharing the air). These are all manifestations of affection. Mares and their foals are always nuzzling each other and the babies are always rubbing up against their moms. Sometimes they hang their heads over each other’s necks and gently hug with their necks. When a horse gently brings his head even slightly in your direction, it is affection and acknowledgement (unless you are holding a treat in your hand or pocket, then it is probably about the treat). The low, soft ‘nickering’ sounds they make at each other are other ways they show affection. However, love is the great carrot and the great treat. Real, unconditional love is the best form of affection and the greatest gift we can bring to our horses.
On the human end this is usually what occurs: We unconsciously reach into the animals face and want to pet and touch his muzzle (nose). If I reached into someone’s face and petted their nose, it would be rude, thoughtless and disrespectful. We do it to horses all the time. We think because he brings his head to us curiously checking us out that it’s OK to pet his nose. Or if he is sniffing us to investigate and get to know us that they are all right with us touching their faces. They do not have arms and hands and do not touch each other in this manner and, additionally, what we are doing is uninvited. We are touching their faces for us not for them. Most of the time they try to move their heads away from the oncoming hand, but to no avail. They react to the intrusion by moving their heads sideways or up and down. But we do not notice this reaction. We want to pet that soft nose and what we want takes all our attention, not the horse’s reaction to what we are doing. This is unfair and disrespectful to the horse.
When we reach into a horse’s physical space, no matter what, we stop its affection coming back towards us. Horses focus on one thing at a time. They are consciously either giving or receiving input, but not both simultaneously. So if the horse is trying to show us affection (which they really want to do) and we take it as an opportunity to input (touch or pet) them, we immediately stop their attempts at being affectionate towards us. This creates lop sided relationships with humans and horses where the human is always inputting the horse with what they think is affection. The horse, meanwhile, never really gets a chance to show it’s affection to the human. Stand and receive the horse’s affection. Keep your hands and arms down. Let them nuzzle you and gently bring their heads to you. Be still and quiet with your mind and body if you want to join with them. Empathize with the feelings you get from the horse. They live empathetic lives and look for that in their companions. Certainly you can put your arms around your horse and hug him, scratch him or reassuringly stroke him. He will get that you mean to be affectionate. But wait and do it when invited by the horse’s demeanor and body language.
When a herd leader wants to allow affection from another horse, she turns sideways and seemingly ignores that horse (goes about her business of grazing). She allows the other horse to approach her and show acknowledgement and affection. It may not involve actual physical contact. But, rather feelings of acknowledgement and acceptance shared and demonstrated through body gestures, postures and mutual awareness (empathy).
I encourage humans to be more like horses and perhaps understand that less is more with horses. By that I mean we could try not to be so forward with horses. We could try to make our desires requests rather than demands. We can chose to lead like Gandhi; lovingly, firmly and quietly. We could abandon leadership like Mussolini, with his loud, controlling, fear based dictatorship. I can now understand the kind of humans who only want to be with horses. There is no self-serving ego to deal with, nor trickery or dishonesty with the horse. There is not much drama either. The horse is impeccable and that’s a fact. They are honest, no matter what. They have personalities and disorders like we do but not the ego.
When your loved ones are affectionate with you know how it feels. It’s the same with horses. Loving touches are noticeable and stand out more than casual physical acknowledgement like hand shakes and pats on the back. Tune in to how you feel when your horse is showing you attention. Receive the attention/affection and just say ?Good Boy?. There is no need for anything else. You will both understand what has occurred. You will have been mutually affectionate as giving and receiving are actually the same thing.
If you are able to establish a great amount of mutual trust with your horse, this will lead to more affection and a stronger bond. Being a great parent/leader is a wonderful way to show affection for your horse. Being the great Mom or Dad for your horse means you are there for his feelings of safety and trust first and foremost. What kinder and more wonderful way to show affection than attention to another’s sense of well being. What is more affectionate than kindness? What feels more wonderfully loving than kindness? In the face of the most fearful and potentially dangerous horse, kindness is the major component in its rehabilitation (just as with an abused human). Giving your best is affection also. When your horse gives you his all and the best he’s got that is his affection coming straight to you.
I guess I could sum this up by merely saying; if it feels like affection and you are not holding a carrot, it probably is. Don’t try to figure the horse out too much. I think it is better to experience and empathize with how he feels. That is the real key.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
Horses are extremely affectionate. If you get a chance to see them in the wild they are mutually grooming each other, scratching each other, leaning gently into each other, sharing breath with each other (a very intimate activity done by putting their noses together and sharing the air). These are all manifestations of affection. Mares and their foals are always nuzzling each other and the babies are always rubbing up against their moms. Sometimes they hang their heads over each other’s necks and gently hug with their necks. When a horse gently brings his head even slightly in your direction, it is affection and acknowledgement (unless you are holding a treat in your hand or pocket, then it is probably about the treat). The low, soft ‘nickering’ sounds they make at each other are other ways they show affection. However, love is the great carrot and the great treat. Real, unconditional love is the best form of affection and the greatest gift we can bring to our horses.
On the human end this is usually what occurs: We unconsciously reach into the animals face and want to pet and touch his muzzle (nose). If I reached into someone’s face and petted their nose, it would be rude, thoughtless and disrespectful. We do it to horses all the time. We think because he brings his head to us curiously checking us out that it’s OK to pet his nose. Or if he is sniffing us to investigate and get to know us that they are all right with us touching their faces. They do not have arms and hands and do not touch each other in this manner and, additionally, what we are doing is uninvited. We are touching their faces for us not for them. Most of the time they try to move their heads away from the oncoming hand, but to no avail. They react to the intrusion by moving their heads sideways or up and down. But we do not notice this reaction. We want to pet that soft nose and what we want takes all our attention, not the horse’s reaction to what we are doing. This is unfair and disrespectful to the horse.
When we reach into a horse’s physical space, no matter what, we stop its affection coming back towards us. Horses focus on one thing at a time. They are consciously either giving or receiving input, but not both simultaneously. So if the horse is trying to show us affection (which they really want to do) and we take it as an opportunity to input (touch or pet) them, we immediately stop their attempts at being affectionate towards us. This creates lop sided relationships with humans and horses where the human is always inputting the horse with what they think is affection. The horse, meanwhile, never really gets a chance to show it’s affection to the human. Stand and receive the horse’s affection. Keep your hands and arms down. Let them nuzzle you and gently bring their heads to you. Be still and quiet with your mind and body if you want to join with them. Empathize with the feelings you get from the horse. They live empathetic lives and look for that in their companions. Certainly you can put your arms around your horse and hug him, scratch him or reassuringly stroke him. He will get that you mean to be affectionate. But wait and do it when invited by the horse’s demeanor and body language.
When a herd leader wants to allow affection from another horse, she turns sideways and seemingly ignores that horse (goes about her business of grazing). She allows the other horse to approach her and show acknowledgement and affection. It may not involve actual physical contact. But, rather feelings of acknowledgement and acceptance shared and demonstrated through body gestures, postures and mutual awareness (empathy).
I encourage humans to be more like horses and perhaps understand that less is more with horses. By that I mean we could try not to be so forward with horses. We could try to make our desires requests rather than demands. We can chose to lead like Gandhi; lovingly, firmly and quietly. We could abandon leadership like Mussolini, with his loud, controlling, fear based dictatorship. I can now understand the kind of humans who only want to be with horses. There is no self-serving ego to deal with, nor trickery or dishonesty with the horse. There is not much drama either. The horse is impeccable and that’s a fact. They are honest, no matter what. They have personalities and disorders like we do but not the ego.
When your loved ones are affectionate with you know how it feels. It’s the same with horses. Loving touches are noticeable and stand out more than casual physical acknowledgement like hand shakes and pats on the back. Tune in to how you feel when your horse is showing you attention. Receive the attention/affection and just say ?Good Boy?. There is no need for anything else. You will both understand what has occurred. You will have been mutually affectionate as giving and receiving are actually the same thing.
If you are able to establish a great amount of mutual trust with your horse, this will lead to more affection and a stronger bond. Being a great parent/leader is a wonderful way to show affection for your horse. Being the great Mom or Dad for your horse means you are there for his feelings of safety and trust first and foremost. What kinder and more wonderful way to show affection than attention to another’s sense of well being. What is more affectionate than kindness? What feels more wonderfully loving than kindness? In the face of the most fearful and potentially dangerous horse, kindness is the major component in its rehabilitation (just as with an abused human). Giving your best is affection also. When your horse gives you his all and the best he’s got that is his affection coming straight to you.
I guess I could sum this up by merely saying; if it feels like affection and you are not holding a carrot, it probably is. Don’t try to figure the horse out too much. I think it is better to experience and empathize with how he feels. That is the real key.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
29. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
The Horse/Human Connection
Majestic, noble, proud, magical, mystical, powerful, naturally beautiful, living-breathing art, the embodiment of grace athleticism and strength. These are just a few of the ways humans describe horses. We also attribute to the horse some of the qualities we humans strive for in ourselves. Qualities such as loyalty, integrity and honesty are part of the horsesnatural being. A horse always gives us an honest response to what is presented to it. It does not have an ego to cloud its perception.
Horses and humans have been joined since the first newborn foal was taken from its deceased mother mare and raised by its captors. Before that and since many horses have been food for humans and been their prey. But as soon as we had the knowledge and ability to raise a horse from infancy we had to make a very important choice. The decision is whether to lead this young creature into the rest of its life, as a domesticated animal, through force (i.e. fear-based control) or to lead it through trust, respect, knowledge and mutual agreement (i.e. love). One way produces a slave, a being whose actions are motivated by fear of punishment, a captive. The other way produces a willing partner, a loyal and trusted friend. It builds a relationship with respect and trust at its core.
The question becomes, how do we lead this wild, magnificent creature who is more powerful and bigger than we are, without using the force that produces a slave. The first part of the answer comes through learning about the horse and it's language. This is done by observation of the animal in its natural state, in the wild. How it communicates with other herd members. The dynamics of it's social structure and how older horses teach and discipline the younger ones (who is the boss and why). Understanding the behavior we observe is just as important as seeing it. In the case of horses, they are a herding-prey animal. This means they are naturally flighty and fearful. Always sensitive to any aggressive energy. The highest ranking female (mare) dictates the movements of the herd. When and where to stop for food and water, and, in fact, all major decisions concerning the herd are made and directed by this "alpha" mare. She is assisted by subordinate mares who help carry out her wishes. The dominant male (stallion) guards the flanks. He protects his breeding mates from being stolen by would-be rivals and protects the herd from predators attacking from the rear.
Some of the earliest memories young horses have is of how their mothers and other older herd members communicated with them. This was done through body language, touch and sound, along with other sensory stimulation. We must learn this language in order to communicate with the horse in such a way as not to produce fear but rather to promote feelings of safety and security in the horse. When the horse has all the assurance it needs to know it is safe, it will want to "join" with us in kind of a communion of spirits. After all, we are not separate from nature. Like the horse, we need to feel safe within ourselves in order for our lives to flourish. The horse is always ready to be our willing and loyal partner but only to the degree we are willing to extend peace, respect and love to this most magnificent creature.
Through interaction with horses we can learn to know ourselves better. They show us who we are by reflecting ourselves back to us whenever we enter their space. Either calm, peaceful and confident or nervous and fearful will be their response depending on which we bring to them. This is all done in the moment, on the spot, when its happening. We need to learn Equus, the language of the horse. When you begin to learn this language, not only will you gain insight into the nature of horses, but into your being as well. You'll discover that some of the basic needs and concerns of horses are the same as ours. This gives us a different perspective for dealing with these issues in our own lives. We experience horses as not so different and separate from us. Through horse "whispering" you'll come to know the kindred spirit that is Equus. You will reawaken and remember your connection with all life and receive the great benefits that this wisdom brings.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
Majestic, noble, proud, magical, mystical, powerful, naturally beautiful, living-breathing art, the embodiment of grace athleticism and strength. These are just a few of the ways humans describe horses. We also attribute to the horse some of the qualities we humans strive for in ourselves. Qualities such as loyalty, integrity and honesty are part of the horsesnatural being. A horse always gives us an honest response to what is presented to it. It does not have an ego to cloud its perception.
Horses and humans have been joined since the first newborn foal was taken from its deceased mother mare and raised by its captors. Before that and since many horses have been food for humans and been their prey. But as soon as we had the knowledge and ability to raise a horse from infancy we had to make a very important choice. The decision is whether to lead this young creature into the rest of its life, as a domesticated animal, through force (i.e. fear-based control) or to lead it through trust, respect, knowledge and mutual agreement (i.e. love). One way produces a slave, a being whose actions are motivated by fear of punishment, a captive. The other way produces a willing partner, a loyal and trusted friend. It builds a relationship with respect and trust at its core.
The question becomes, how do we lead this wild, magnificent creature who is more powerful and bigger than we are, without using the force that produces a slave. The first part of the answer comes through learning about the horse and it's language. This is done by observation of the animal in its natural state, in the wild. How it communicates with other herd members. The dynamics of it's social structure and how older horses teach and discipline the younger ones (who is the boss and why). Understanding the behavior we observe is just as important as seeing it. In the case of horses, they are a herding-prey animal. This means they are naturally flighty and fearful. Always sensitive to any aggressive energy. The highest ranking female (mare) dictates the movements of the herd. When and where to stop for food and water, and, in fact, all major decisions concerning the herd are made and directed by this "alpha" mare. She is assisted by subordinate mares who help carry out her wishes. The dominant male (stallion) guards the flanks. He protects his breeding mates from being stolen by would-be rivals and protects the herd from predators attacking from the rear.
Some of the earliest memories young horses have is of how their mothers and other older herd members communicated with them. This was done through body language, touch and sound, along with other sensory stimulation. We must learn this language in order to communicate with the horse in such a way as not to produce fear but rather to promote feelings of safety and security in the horse. When the horse has all the assurance it needs to know it is safe, it will want to "join" with us in kind of a communion of spirits. After all, we are not separate from nature. Like the horse, we need to feel safe within ourselves in order for our lives to flourish. The horse is always ready to be our willing and loyal partner but only to the degree we are willing to extend peace, respect and love to this most magnificent creature.
Through interaction with horses we can learn to know ourselves better. They show us who we are by reflecting ourselves back to us whenever we enter their space. Either calm, peaceful and confident or nervous and fearful will be their response depending on which we bring to them. This is all done in the moment, on the spot, when its happening. We need to learn Equus, the language of the horse. When you begin to learn this language, not only will you gain insight into the nature of horses, but into your being as well. You'll discover that some of the basic needs and concerns of horses are the same as ours. This gives us a different perspective for dealing with these issues in our own lives. We experience horses as not so different and separate from us. Through horse "whispering" you'll come to know the kindred spirit that is Equus. You will reawaken and remember your connection with all life and receive the great benefits that this wisdom brings.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
28. Natural Horsmeanship Essay...
The Maui Horse Whisperer Experience
A "Horse Whisperer" is accurately a very astute horse listener. The term "whisperer" refers to the soft, gentle way the energy (i.e. communication) flows. John Rarey, one of the first modern day horse tamers, wrote in 1850, "A good horseman should never be fearful or angry in the presence of horses." In her 1998 Equis Magazine articles "Secrets of the Horse Tamers", Emily Kilby writes, "...the man who would take up taming, he must have the delicacy of touch and feeling of a woman, the eye of an eagle, the courage of a lion, and the hang-on pluck of a bulldog." Throughout recorded history, similar and even loftier language has been used to describe people who are successful with horses. It's all true! Just like Robert Redford displayed in the movie "The Horse Whisperer", thoughtfulness, gentleness and sensitivity, perceptiveness, confidence and quiet strength must all be in place in order to have a truly successful relationship with horses. It takes the same qualities and awareness for us to have successful and rewarding relationships with each other.
Horses are great teachers. To work with and effectively communicate with horses, one must be calm and centered. Clearly, the same can be said for communication between human beings. Besides dramatically reducing the stress levels in ones body, being calm and centered opens the channel for intuition to speak. Intuition is the voice of the heart, the higher self, our "sixth sense." With intuitive communication, one can be assured the exchange will be peaceful, honest and successful. Horses are always intuitive and they can awaken that quality in us.
As we learn the language of the horse and begin to communicate with them, they help us see into ourselves at deeper and deeper levels. Horses can help us face our fears, learn about love, develop intuition, reveal self-defeating patterns and connect with our spiritual depth. And horses are always willing to assist us in our growth. The question is— are we willing to open and learn from our equine friends? For myself and many others, the answer is definitely "Yes!"
Across the country and around the world equine facilitated programs are proving the healing, informative and nurturing power of on-the-ground and in-the-saddle work with horses. There are programs for equine facilitated mental health development: mental illnesses from schizophrenia, to autism, to Attention Deficit Disorder are being treated with dramatically positive results. Spas such as the world class Miraval in Tucson are using horses in their stress reduction program. For many years, therapeutic horsemanship has been a great blessing for large numbers of physically challenged individuals. National organizations such as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA) have been created to train practitioners and support related programs nationally. Fortune 500 companies are having their upper management take leadership training programs at horse ranches in Colorado, Arizona and California.
These effective programs are springing up throughout the country because we have begun to "listen" to what these wonderful animals are "telling" us about who we are as individuals and as human beings in relationship with the world around us. In part, we share "the spirit" of the horse. The qualities we celebrate in humans are the same qualities we attribute to horses: loyalty, courage, integrity, heroism and honesty.
The mission of The Maui Horse Whisperer Experience™ is the skillful use of the human-equine relationship to develop mindfulness, self-awareness and understanding toward the goal of enhancing the lives of those who participate in these fun, unique and extraordinary programs. Several programs have been developed for varied participants and applications. No matter who the specific program is designed for, we guarantee that every Maui Horse Whisperer Experience will be filled with beauty, insight, fun, laughter and growth. Simply put, our mission is to enhance the lives of all our participants, including the horses.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
A "Horse Whisperer" is accurately a very astute horse listener. The term "whisperer" refers to the soft, gentle way the energy (i.e. communication) flows. John Rarey, one of the first modern day horse tamers, wrote in 1850, "A good horseman should never be fearful or angry in the presence of horses." In her 1998 Equis Magazine articles "Secrets of the Horse Tamers", Emily Kilby writes, "...the man who would take up taming, he must have the delicacy of touch and feeling of a woman, the eye of an eagle, the courage of a lion, and the hang-on pluck of a bulldog." Throughout recorded history, similar and even loftier language has been used to describe people who are successful with horses. It's all true! Just like Robert Redford displayed in the movie "The Horse Whisperer", thoughtfulness, gentleness and sensitivity, perceptiveness, confidence and quiet strength must all be in place in order to have a truly successful relationship with horses. It takes the same qualities and awareness for us to have successful and rewarding relationships with each other.
Horses are great teachers. To work with and effectively communicate with horses, one must be calm and centered. Clearly, the same can be said for communication between human beings. Besides dramatically reducing the stress levels in ones body, being calm and centered opens the channel for intuition to speak. Intuition is the voice of the heart, the higher self, our "sixth sense." With intuitive communication, one can be assured the exchange will be peaceful, honest and successful. Horses are always intuitive and they can awaken that quality in us.
As we learn the language of the horse and begin to communicate with them, they help us see into ourselves at deeper and deeper levels. Horses can help us face our fears, learn about love, develop intuition, reveal self-defeating patterns and connect with our spiritual depth. And horses are always willing to assist us in our growth. The question is— are we willing to open and learn from our equine friends? For myself and many others, the answer is definitely "Yes!"
Across the country and around the world equine facilitated programs are proving the healing, informative and nurturing power of on-the-ground and in-the-saddle work with horses. There are programs for equine facilitated mental health development: mental illnesses from schizophrenia, to autism, to Attention Deficit Disorder are being treated with dramatically positive results. Spas such as the world class Miraval in Tucson are using horses in their stress reduction program. For many years, therapeutic horsemanship has been a great blessing for large numbers of physically challenged individuals. National organizations such as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA) have been created to train practitioners and support related programs nationally. Fortune 500 companies are having their upper management take leadership training programs at horse ranches in Colorado, Arizona and California.
These effective programs are springing up throughout the country because we have begun to "listen" to what these wonderful animals are "telling" us about who we are as individuals and as human beings in relationship with the world around us. In part, we share "the spirit" of the horse. The qualities we celebrate in humans are the same qualities we attribute to horses: loyalty, courage, integrity, heroism and honesty.
The mission of The Maui Horse Whisperer Experience™ is the skillful use of the human-equine relationship to develop mindfulness, self-awareness and understanding toward the goal of enhancing the lives of those who participate in these fun, unique and extraordinary programs. Several programs have been developed for varied participants and applications. No matter who the specific program is designed for, we guarantee that every Maui Horse Whisperer Experience will be filled with beauty, insight, fun, laughter and growth. Simply put, our mission is to enhance the lives of all our participants, including the horses.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
27. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
What does it take to become a horse trainer?
1. What are the ups and downs of being a horse trainer?
The main 'up' is turning the fear of a big 'flight' animal like a horse, into 'trust'. Helping 'fear' to become 'trust' in any individual, be it human or animal, is a very worthwhile and special endeavour. The big 'down' of this profession is having to deal with the humans and their misconceptions, misunderstanding, projections and unfounded opinions about horses. The horse is the easy part of the equation and very honest and straight forward. Getting the human, with their egos and self serving ways, on track appropriately with the horse is the hard part.
2. How do you become a horse trainer? (like what kind of schooling do you need?)
I grew up with horses and that helped a lot. I was lucky. But the main ingredient is education about horses. Read about them, volunteer at stables and theraputic riding centers, observe trainers working with horses whenever possible, read as many books on horses and horse training as you can find and remember the 'golden rule' of horses, "The Horse is always innocent." Any behavior that looks like the horse is being 'bad' is the horse showing he is afraid.
3. What didn't you know when you started that you wish you knew back then?
The Golden Rule of Horses.
4. How long does it take to become successful?
This depends on your defination of 'successful.' But basically, how much education you can get about horses, being willing to work hard and put out great effort, how strong your desire is and if an individual can develop talent for the job.
5. What does it take to keep this kind of business successful?
This depends on what you mean by "successful." Satisifaction from helping a fearful horse come to trust and complaince with humans is immediately successful and extremely satisfying. Finanical goals are an individual preference. My focus has always been great service to horses and their humans. My focus has never been acquiring money. But, rather, to bring a sence of peace and safety to the animals and humans I work with. I have found that by focusing on great service, that the money seems to take care of itself.
6. Do you have any advice for me to become successful in this type of career?
Search in your heart and find out your deepest desires and passions. If it is to 'help' and serve horses and humans to have great relationships and successful interaction, then, with hard work and the acquiring of real knowlege about horses (and the human psyche), you will be successful. Discover where your passion is and wherever that leads you is where you will be successful.
7. What does it take inside to be a trainer?
Compassion, kindness, being trustworthy, thoughtfullness and a desire to 'give' rather than to always 'get.' My goal is to always be truely kind and helpful in all interaction.
8. How much money do you need to start?
Its not about money at all. We always attribute success to money and this is a sure way to be frustrated and bitter. Seek to offer help, good service and to 'give.' This is the pathway to real success and happiness. One does not need money to become a successful horse whisperer.
9. How did you start out and become successful?
Again, success is an individual thought. For me, by developing a desire to offer help, learning about the real nature of horses and then always giving my best to the horse has allowed me to become successful and happy in my life. Talent is developed over time through the acquisition of knowledge and practice. I know I became 'successful' because my goal was to offer solid, effective techniques for helping horses to trust humans and helping humans understand horses and become successful themselves in their appropriate interaction with them
10. Do you feel that this career choice is dangerous?
Only if a human does not educate themselves about horses, seeks to judge horses as 'bad' as opposed to merely 'afraid' and is over confident about their skills and abilities.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
1. What are the ups and downs of being a horse trainer?
The main 'up' is turning the fear of a big 'flight' animal like a horse, into 'trust'. Helping 'fear' to become 'trust' in any individual, be it human or animal, is a very worthwhile and special endeavour. The big 'down' of this profession is having to deal with the humans and their misconceptions, misunderstanding, projections and unfounded opinions about horses. The horse is the easy part of the equation and very honest and straight forward. Getting the human, with their egos and self serving ways, on track appropriately with the horse is the hard part.
2. How do you become a horse trainer? (like what kind of schooling do you need?)
I grew up with horses and that helped a lot. I was lucky. But the main ingredient is education about horses. Read about them, volunteer at stables and theraputic riding centers, observe trainers working with horses whenever possible, read as many books on horses and horse training as you can find and remember the 'golden rule' of horses, "The Horse is always innocent." Any behavior that looks like the horse is being 'bad' is the horse showing he is afraid.
3. What didn't you know when you started that you wish you knew back then?
The Golden Rule of Horses.
4. How long does it take to become successful?
This depends on your defination of 'successful.' But basically, how much education you can get about horses, being willing to work hard and put out great effort, how strong your desire is and if an individual can develop talent for the job.
5. What does it take to keep this kind of business successful?
This depends on what you mean by "successful." Satisifaction from helping a fearful horse come to trust and complaince with humans is immediately successful and extremely satisfying. Finanical goals are an individual preference. My focus has always been great service to horses and their humans. My focus has never been acquiring money. But, rather, to bring a sence of peace and safety to the animals and humans I work with. I have found that by focusing on great service, that the money seems to take care of itself.
6. Do you have any advice for me to become successful in this type of career?
Search in your heart and find out your deepest desires and passions. If it is to 'help' and serve horses and humans to have great relationships and successful interaction, then, with hard work and the acquiring of real knowlege about horses (and the human psyche), you will be successful. Discover where your passion is and wherever that leads you is where you will be successful.
7. What does it take inside to be a trainer?
Compassion, kindness, being trustworthy, thoughtfullness and a desire to 'give' rather than to always 'get.' My goal is to always be truely kind and helpful in all interaction.
8. How much money do you need to start?
Its not about money at all. We always attribute success to money and this is a sure way to be frustrated and bitter. Seek to offer help, good service and to 'give.' This is the pathway to real success and happiness. One does not need money to become a successful horse whisperer.
9. How did you start out and become successful?
Again, success is an individual thought. For me, by developing a desire to offer help, learning about the real nature of horses and then always giving my best to the horse has allowed me to become successful and happy in my life. Talent is developed over time through the acquisition of knowledge and practice. I know I became 'successful' because my goal was to offer solid, effective techniques for helping horses to trust humans and helping humans understand horses and become successful themselves in their appropriate interaction with them
10. Do you feel that this career choice is dangerous?
Only if a human does not educate themselves about horses, seeks to judge horses as 'bad' as opposed to merely 'afraid' and is over confident about their skills and abilities.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
26. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
Gaining confidence with horses
This is a big issue for people beginning their lives with horses and some who have been with horses ‘forever’ but never really learned anything about their real nature. The subject of ‘confidence’ is just as big for the horse as for the human (both need to have confidence). Confidence for the horse translates to ‘trust’. The horse is always asking whoever is around it; “Can I trust you? Do you know what to do to help me to feel safe? Can I have confidence that I am safe if you lead me? Can I have confidence if I do as you request that I will not be hurt and will continue to be safe?” The horse has to have confidence in whoever is leading it, be they horse or human. If it does not have confidence it will be safe, the horse will instinctively begin to fend and look out for itself.
For the human, confidence means having the knowledge that you know what to do in most all circumstances that will help the horse to trust and be confident it is safe. Developing this confidence is something that really does take place over time. There is no magic pill you can take that will give you the knowledge and confidence that experience over time will. However, there are a few things people can do that will accelerate their development, learning and confidence with horses. One of these things is to read books, look at videos and attend seminars on the topic of horse training (not riding) as much as possible. Forget about becoming a great rider for now and focus on the horse itself. If a ‘ gentle horse trainer’ (not a riding instructor) is in your area, call them and see if its possible to spend some time with them watching what they do. Being able to see the process is a huge help in acquiring the knowledge that is desirable. Videos are also great for that. Most horse magazines have numerous videos advertised in them. So the first thing I would suggest is for interested people to find learning aids that can be view and trainers to watch.
Being “patient” with the horse is extremely important. If one can really develop ‘great patience’ in the face of a confused, fearful horse, they will gain immediate confidence in their ability to stay with the process of bringing the horse back to feelings of safety, whatever that process is. Patience just by itself is a huge plus in anyone’s life. If you can stay calm and understand the goal and overall agenda of the horse’s sense of safety as being paramount and patiently work towards that always, your confidence will be increased right away.
Learning to move appropriately around a horse is not that hard but very important. First of all, always be thoughtful and respect the horse’s personal space. The horse will tell you by its demeanor, it’s posture, movements and attitude if it is comfortable with someone entering its personal space. Not unlike a human having an appropriate boundary, the horse needs you to respect it’s boundaries. Most people do not respect the horses right to personal space and invade the animal’s boundaries constantly (reaching into a horse’s face to pet its nose is a perfect example of this). Always connect first by talking to the horse before you get too close. You’ll know (intuit, observe) if the horse is OK with you approaching it. If it is not, respect that and talk to it some more and move around the horse at a safe distance until the horse feels OK about you approaching it and invites you closer with its responses. You’ll keep yourself a lot safer also. Do not stand directly in front of the horse. Horses are by nature claustrophobic. They also want to be able to look ahead and around for possible danger. Standing by the left or right shoulder is always the safest place to stand, for the horse as well as the human. Most horses have been handled mainly on the left side, so they are most comfortable with the human standing on their left side (by the shoulder). Also, you are much less likely to be bitten or kicked in that position by the horse. Horses kick those behind them if they are surprised. So, if you want to walk behind a horse talk to him and keep one hand on his rump as you move around him so he knows where you are and your intention to move around him. When grooming the tail stand a bit to the side, not directly behind the horse. There is a kick zone to avoid if possible. That zone is the place where the horse can obviously ‘nail’ you with a kick if it were inclined. Kicking is mostly a defense mechanism. As is any kind of seemingly aggressive behavior. The horse is protecting itself. This behavior does not deserve punishment; it deserves compassion, understanding and leadership to bring the horse back to a ‘safe place’ in its mind and feelings.
As far as a horse lunging or kicking at a human when bridling, that is not typical behavior. Only if the horse is made very uncomfortable by how the human is trying to put the bridle on, will he move towards the human or away. There is an appropriate way to ask a horse to accept the bridle (and saddle). It is somewhat detailed and will be addressed in another essay. If you make the horse nervous by inappropriately trying to get him to accept the bridle or saddle, it will set up a situation where he has no confidence in the human’s ability to ask him to accept new things. It will get harder and harder to bridle or saddle him. Horses get habitual (take on habits) very fast and habits are hard to change. When bridling a horse it is best to first get the horse comfortable with lowering his head when asked to. When introducing a blanket and saddle it is best to ‘sack the horse out’ first extensively. This means getting him used to the blanket and things flapping around and on him.
Here is a good procedure to practice for asking a horse to lower its head: with a halter (preferably a rope halter) and lead rope already on the horse, stand on the horse’s left side halfway up his neck. Hold the lead rope about 18 inches under his chin and just allow the weight of your arm to come on to the rope. Do not try to pull the horse’s head down. Just let the weight of your arm be there. The horse will, at some point, lower his head just a bit to get away from the weight of your arm. The instant you feel that horse lower his head, even a fraction of an inch, remove the weight of your arm completely by lifting your arm just a tiny bit up or releasing the rope. Then, do it again. You are asking the horse to lower his head by doing this. You might also bend forward with your body just a bit to encourage him to follow your body language down and look down at the ground (where you want the horse’s head to go). A human should be able to get a horse to lower his head as low as requested. He’ll just about put his nose on the ground if asked appropriately. A horse with a lowered head is a relaxed horse. I ask horses to lower their heads sometimes if they get a little nervous. So it is always a good skill to have. You may want to get really good at his one as it will help you ask the horse to accept the bridle by lowering his head. It is important not to hit the horse’s teeth with the bit as well. Anyway, if this procedure is practiced it will help a human gain confidence and skill. It will also help a human to understand how to begin to ‘read’ a horse.
‘Reading’ a horse means being able to ascertain what is going on for the horse in any one moment. Is the horse calm, nervous, upset, anxious, trusting, afraid, in pain or whatever? This is a very important skill to development. It will also help to develop confidence, even if all the proper ‘moves’ are not known yet. If a human can look at a horse and begin to ‘feel’ what is going on for it, they will have a skill that is priceless. The way to develop this skill is through patience, kindness and the desire to help the horse feel safe first and foremost, and not just grab him and use the horse for something. It means moving slowly observing the horse’s responses to whatever the human does. It means not approaching too fast and connecting first. It means showing respect. It also means using intuition. Intuition and ‘feel’ have similar meanings when applied to horses. You intuit what a horse is feeling. We do this kind of thing all the time. When we meet someone new or go to a new place or try something new, it either feels OK or not. It can feel ‘right or wrong’. Our brains (our intellect) may say something is OK to do, but our heart (or gut) says it is not. We follow our intuition when we follow our hearts. Horses have a very developed intuitive side. They intuit if something wants to ‘eat them for dinner’. They intuit if there is a predator present long before it gets close. They have to because it is their survival. I connect with horses a long ways away from them. By the time I get up to them we are connected and feeling good about each other (unless the horse has some abuse issues and is fearful of humans in general). I can intuit that quickly and respond accordingly to help the horse to know I am no threat to it. Developing our intuition will help develop our confidence.
If a horse moves into my space while being led or if I am in close quarters with it (the stall), I do not want to get physical with it to ask it to move away. Many times pushing a horse will prompt the horse to push back and they will always win a test of strength. Rather I have gotten very good at shaking (snaking) the lead rope under the horse’s chin which is annoying to the horse and will prompt the horse to move away from the shaking rope. I will also face the horse, shake the rope and move towards the horse confidently asking it to back a step or two. This will generally allow a human to begin to set a boundary with the horse as to how close the horse can be. If there is no lead rope and halter on the horse, such as in the stall, I will wave my hand quickly right under the horse’s chin or at his nose. This will generally get him to lift his head and take a step away. I have developed a ‘feel’ for what is too much pressure or energy in the shaking or waving so as to not scare the horse. I can also shake a rope at the horse as well (or my glove).
It is important to be able to set a boundary with a horse. This one skill alone will bring tremendous confidence, as the human will understand how to get their boundaries respected. Setting appropriate boundaries is a good life skill to have. Success with horses is a great way develop skills that enrich us in all areas of our lives.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
This is a big issue for people beginning their lives with horses and some who have been with horses ‘forever’ but never really learned anything about their real nature. The subject of ‘confidence’ is just as big for the horse as for the human (both need to have confidence). Confidence for the horse translates to ‘trust’. The horse is always asking whoever is around it; “Can I trust you? Do you know what to do to help me to feel safe? Can I have confidence that I am safe if you lead me? Can I have confidence if I do as you request that I will not be hurt and will continue to be safe?” The horse has to have confidence in whoever is leading it, be they horse or human. If it does not have confidence it will be safe, the horse will instinctively begin to fend and look out for itself.
For the human, confidence means having the knowledge that you know what to do in most all circumstances that will help the horse to trust and be confident it is safe. Developing this confidence is something that really does take place over time. There is no magic pill you can take that will give you the knowledge and confidence that experience over time will. However, there are a few things people can do that will accelerate their development, learning and confidence with horses. One of these things is to read books, look at videos and attend seminars on the topic of horse training (not riding) as much as possible. Forget about becoming a great rider for now and focus on the horse itself. If a ‘ gentle horse trainer’ (not a riding instructor) is in your area, call them and see if its possible to spend some time with them watching what they do. Being able to see the process is a huge help in acquiring the knowledge that is desirable. Videos are also great for that. Most horse magazines have numerous videos advertised in them. So the first thing I would suggest is for interested people to find learning aids that can be view and trainers to watch.
Being “patient” with the horse is extremely important. If one can really develop ‘great patience’ in the face of a confused, fearful horse, they will gain immediate confidence in their ability to stay with the process of bringing the horse back to feelings of safety, whatever that process is. Patience just by itself is a huge plus in anyone’s life. If you can stay calm and understand the goal and overall agenda of the horse’s sense of safety as being paramount and patiently work towards that always, your confidence will be increased right away.
Learning to move appropriately around a horse is not that hard but very important. First of all, always be thoughtful and respect the horse’s personal space. The horse will tell you by its demeanor, it’s posture, movements and attitude if it is comfortable with someone entering its personal space. Not unlike a human having an appropriate boundary, the horse needs you to respect it’s boundaries. Most people do not respect the horses right to personal space and invade the animal’s boundaries constantly (reaching into a horse’s face to pet its nose is a perfect example of this). Always connect first by talking to the horse before you get too close. You’ll know (intuit, observe) if the horse is OK with you approaching it. If it is not, respect that and talk to it some more and move around the horse at a safe distance until the horse feels OK about you approaching it and invites you closer with its responses. You’ll keep yourself a lot safer also. Do not stand directly in front of the horse. Horses are by nature claustrophobic. They also want to be able to look ahead and around for possible danger. Standing by the left or right shoulder is always the safest place to stand, for the horse as well as the human. Most horses have been handled mainly on the left side, so they are most comfortable with the human standing on their left side (by the shoulder). Also, you are much less likely to be bitten or kicked in that position by the horse. Horses kick those behind them if they are surprised. So, if you want to walk behind a horse talk to him and keep one hand on his rump as you move around him so he knows where you are and your intention to move around him. When grooming the tail stand a bit to the side, not directly behind the horse. There is a kick zone to avoid if possible. That zone is the place where the horse can obviously ‘nail’ you with a kick if it were inclined. Kicking is mostly a defense mechanism. As is any kind of seemingly aggressive behavior. The horse is protecting itself. This behavior does not deserve punishment; it deserves compassion, understanding and leadership to bring the horse back to a ‘safe place’ in its mind and feelings.
As far as a horse lunging or kicking at a human when bridling, that is not typical behavior. Only if the horse is made very uncomfortable by how the human is trying to put the bridle on, will he move towards the human or away. There is an appropriate way to ask a horse to accept the bridle (and saddle). It is somewhat detailed and will be addressed in another essay. If you make the horse nervous by inappropriately trying to get him to accept the bridle or saddle, it will set up a situation where he has no confidence in the human’s ability to ask him to accept new things. It will get harder and harder to bridle or saddle him. Horses get habitual (take on habits) very fast and habits are hard to change. When bridling a horse it is best to first get the horse comfortable with lowering his head when asked to. When introducing a blanket and saddle it is best to ‘sack the horse out’ first extensively. This means getting him used to the blanket and things flapping around and on him.
Here is a good procedure to practice for asking a horse to lower its head: with a halter (preferably a rope halter) and lead rope already on the horse, stand on the horse’s left side halfway up his neck. Hold the lead rope about 18 inches under his chin and just allow the weight of your arm to come on to the rope. Do not try to pull the horse’s head down. Just let the weight of your arm be there. The horse will, at some point, lower his head just a bit to get away from the weight of your arm. The instant you feel that horse lower his head, even a fraction of an inch, remove the weight of your arm completely by lifting your arm just a tiny bit up or releasing the rope. Then, do it again. You are asking the horse to lower his head by doing this. You might also bend forward with your body just a bit to encourage him to follow your body language down and look down at the ground (where you want the horse’s head to go). A human should be able to get a horse to lower his head as low as requested. He’ll just about put his nose on the ground if asked appropriately. A horse with a lowered head is a relaxed horse. I ask horses to lower their heads sometimes if they get a little nervous. So it is always a good skill to have. You may want to get really good at his one as it will help you ask the horse to accept the bridle by lowering his head. It is important not to hit the horse’s teeth with the bit as well. Anyway, if this procedure is practiced it will help a human gain confidence and skill. It will also help a human to understand how to begin to ‘read’ a horse.
‘Reading’ a horse means being able to ascertain what is going on for the horse in any one moment. Is the horse calm, nervous, upset, anxious, trusting, afraid, in pain or whatever? This is a very important skill to development. It will also help to develop confidence, even if all the proper ‘moves’ are not known yet. If a human can look at a horse and begin to ‘feel’ what is going on for it, they will have a skill that is priceless. The way to develop this skill is through patience, kindness and the desire to help the horse feel safe first and foremost, and not just grab him and use the horse for something. It means moving slowly observing the horse’s responses to whatever the human does. It means not approaching too fast and connecting first. It means showing respect. It also means using intuition. Intuition and ‘feel’ have similar meanings when applied to horses. You intuit what a horse is feeling. We do this kind of thing all the time. When we meet someone new or go to a new place or try something new, it either feels OK or not. It can feel ‘right or wrong’. Our brains (our intellect) may say something is OK to do, but our heart (or gut) says it is not. We follow our intuition when we follow our hearts. Horses have a very developed intuitive side. They intuit if something wants to ‘eat them for dinner’. They intuit if there is a predator present long before it gets close. They have to because it is their survival. I connect with horses a long ways away from them. By the time I get up to them we are connected and feeling good about each other (unless the horse has some abuse issues and is fearful of humans in general). I can intuit that quickly and respond accordingly to help the horse to know I am no threat to it. Developing our intuition will help develop our confidence.
If a horse moves into my space while being led or if I am in close quarters with it (the stall), I do not want to get physical with it to ask it to move away. Many times pushing a horse will prompt the horse to push back and they will always win a test of strength. Rather I have gotten very good at shaking (snaking) the lead rope under the horse’s chin which is annoying to the horse and will prompt the horse to move away from the shaking rope. I will also face the horse, shake the rope and move towards the horse confidently asking it to back a step or two. This will generally allow a human to begin to set a boundary with the horse as to how close the horse can be. If there is no lead rope and halter on the horse, such as in the stall, I will wave my hand quickly right under the horse’s chin or at his nose. This will generally get him to lift his head and take a step away. I have developed a ‘feel’ for what is too much pressure or energy in the shaking or waving so as to not scare the horse. I can also shake a rope at the horse as well (or my glove).
It is important to be able to set a boundary with a horse. This one skill alone will bring tremendous confidence, as the human will understand how to get their boundaries respected. Setting appropriate boundaries is a good life skill to have. Success with horses is a great way develop skills that enrich us in all areas of our lives.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
25. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
Attitude is Everything with Horses and Humans
I receive a daily inspirational message from a good friend who is an author on spiritual topics and a motivational speaker named Alan Cohen. The quote for today is:
“We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”
Relating this attitude is everything theory to training and communicating with horses produces immediate results of success or failure. First off, if we think horses do not understand us or do not have the cognitive skills for two-way communication with a human, then we will never have that sort of connection with any horse. If we think it is a possibility then, with some coaching or training, it can become a reality. As the horse is a prey animal, which means other animals eat it, it has big antennas that are constantly scanning its environment for predators. For a horse there is only fear or trust. It either trusts it is safe or it is fearful it is not.
Once this is truly understood about horses, it becomes obvious that if a human can help a horse to feel safe and trust it is safe, then the horse will accept the human as its herd leader just as it does the herd leader in the wild. I have become a successful communicator with horses because I have as my attitude that I want to become a peace bringer to the horse first and foremost. I have come to understand that if I can promote feelings of peace and safety within a horse, I become like a magnet for them, attracting them to me. Once they experience feelings of peace and safety (i.e. trust) they just want to stay around where these feelings originate (with me). This is the key to all bonding, connection and successful communication with horses and humans as well.
Feelings of safety are more important to the horse than food, water or shelter. The horse's sense of safety (survival) is first and foremost in it's mind. If it is feeling safe and peaceful it is not worried about survival and it can focus on what is happening in its environment and whatever is being requested of it without fearful thoughts entering its mind and distracting it. When we humans have an attitude of fear or paranoia, it can distract us so much that we become dysfunctional. Imagine what it might be to always be fearful of dying. That is what can happen for a horse that is never supported in, or able to find those all-important feelings of peace, trust and safety.
Peace, trust and safety, do not exist in the outside, physical world. They are internal feelings we all can have. We either feel them or we don't. It is the same for the horse. It feels safe and trusts that it will be safe or it does not. Resistance from a horse is always brought on by fearful feelings. Every time you hear someone say a horse is stubborn, willful, bad, mean, vicious or any other negative thing, it is an improper projection of the human's attitude on to the horse and an inaccurate interpretation of the horse's actions. For the horse's behavior is only a symptom of fear. It is like a child who is fearful and acting out (being stubborn, willful or some such negative behavior) because of its fearful feelings about something new, unknown or scary.
I practice being my best through bringing my best to the horse whenever I interact with them. If the interaction is successful for both the horse and me, then I have immediate feedback that I have, in fact, brought my best forward.
Horses will not eat, sleep, drink or anything else if they are fearful a predator is lurking nearby. They proactively seek feelings of peace and safety by running in a direction that their leader guides them to. Once a place of safety is felt (generally about a half-mile) they stop running and then, perhaps, backtrack to see what they were running from, or return to the normal routine of eating, playing and sleeping.
Humans see a horse's fearful feelings and the reactions they cause, as the horse being bad. We judge horses and humans all the time erroneously. We frequently make horses bad and wrong so we have an excuse to punish and dominate another being. How sad a commentary it is on the human condition that we sometimes feel so small and inferior that we have to hurt innocent animals and others in order for us to feel good about ourselves.
I propose a moratorium on negative attitudes. I suggest seeking a successful outcome for all through the extension of compassion, kindness and tolerance. We could choose peace over conflict if we are willing to suspend judgment. So, I do think attitude is everything as it relates to horses and humans. How you think something is, is what it is for you. Your children, spouse, career, your horse and your life are what you think they are.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
I receive a daily inspirational message from a good friend who is an author on spiritual topics and a motivational speaker named Alan Cohen. The quote for today is:
“We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”
Relating this attitude is everything theory to training and communicating with horses produces immediate results of success or failure. First off, if we think horses do not understand us or do not have the cognitive skills for two-way communication with a human, then we will never have that sort of connection with any horse. If we think it is a possibility then, with some coaching or training, it can become a reality. As the horse is a prey animal, which means other animals eat it, it has big antennas that are constantly scanning its environment for predators. For a horse there is only fear or trust. It either trusts it is safe or it is fearful it is not.
Once this is truly understood about horses, it becomes obvious that if a human can help a horse to feel safe and trust it is safe, then the horse will accept the human as its herd leader just as it does the herd leader in the wild. I have become a successful communicator with horses because I have as my attitude that I want to become a peace bringer to the horse first and foremost. I have come to understand that if I can promote feelings of peace and safety within a horse, I become like a magnet for them, attracting them to me. Once they experience feelings of peace and safety (i.e. trust) they just want to stay around where these feelings originate (with me). This is the key to all bonding, connection and successful communication with horses and humans as well.
Feelings of safety are more important to the horse than food, water or shelter. The horse's sense of safety (survival) is first and foremost in it's mind. If it is feeling safe and peaceful it is not worried about survival and it can focus on what is happening in its environment and whatever is being requested of it without fearful thoughts entering its mind and distracting it. When we humans have an attitude of fear or paranoia, it can distract us so much that we become dysfunctional. Imagine what it might be to always be fearful of dying. That is what can happen for a horse that is never supported in, or able to find those all-important feelings of peace, trust and safety.
Peace, trust and safety, do not exist in the outside, physical world. They are internal feelings we all can have. We either feel them or we don't. It is the same for the horse. It feels safe and trusts that it will be safe or it does not. Resistance from a horse is always brought on by fearful feelings. Every time you hear someone say a horse is stubborn, willful, bad, mean, vicious or any other negative thing, it is an improper projection of the human's attitude on to the horse and an inaccurate interpretation of the horse's actions. For the horse's behavior is only a symptom of fear. It is like a child who is fearful and acting out (being stubborn, willful or some such negative behavior) because of its fearful feelings about something new, unknown or scary.
I practice being my best through bringing my best to the horse whenever I interact with them. If the interaction is successful for both the horse and me, then I have immediate feedback that I have, in fact, brought my best forward.
Horses will not eat, sleep, drink or anything else if they are fearful a predator is lurking nearby. They proactively seek feelings of peace and safety by running in a direction that their leader guides them to. Once a place of safety is felt (generally about a half-mile) they stop running and then, perhaps, backtrack to see what they were running from, or return to the normal routine of eating, playing and sleeping.
Humans see a horse's fearful feelings and the reactions they cause, as the horse being bad. We judge horses and humans all the time erroneously. We frequently make horses bad and wrong so we have an excuse to punish and dominate another being. How sad a commentary it is on the human condition that we sometimes feel so small and inferior that we have to hurt innocent animals and others in order for us to feel good about ourselves.
I propose a moratorium on negative attitudes. I suggest seeking a successful outcome for all through the extension of compassion, kindness and tolerance. We could choose peace over conflict if we are willing to suspend judgment. So, I do think attitude is everything as it relates to horses and humans. How you think something is, is what it is for you. Your children, spouse, career, your horse and your life are what you think they are.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
24. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
Providing Consequences
Rather than Punishment,
and the Elimination of Fear
How we language what we do, the words we use, reflect how we think and what we believe about our lives. I think the old saying that ‘attitude is everything’ does ring quite true. If I say a horse is naughty, a term I hear in the UK a lot, that implies the horse is being bad. It also suggests a judgment that the horse has willfully done something against the wishes of the human. By using the word ‘naughty’ we have attributed all sorts of negative human aspects to that horse. In doing so it may be implied that the horse deserves punishment or discipline for their bad behavior. We say children are naughty or bad a lot when misbehavior happens and dish out what we think is earned and deserved punishment.
Personally, I don’t think punishment works. It didn’t on me when I was a child and I made an error in judgment. We all make mistakes, errors in judgment. Some of these errors are very serious and have tragic and catastrophic results where the lives of many innocent individuals are damaged beyond repair. But to make a judgment that a horse is ‘bad’ because of a specific, undesirable behavior is erroneous and a mistake. The worst behavior we see in a horse is merely the animal reacting to its own fear. It is not being naughty, it is being afraid. A horse being disrespectful of our boundaries, pushy and willful is fending for itself because there is no leader around to provide it with a sense of safety. Its behavior is the animal’s way of helping itself to feel safe, in control and assuring its own survival.
Horses naturally want to follow a good leader. That is their nature and how they survive in the wild. They follow that leader and show respect simply because the ‘leader’ is present. It should be expected that a horse would attempt to fend for itself and become its own leader in the absence of that individual who knows where ‘safety’ is and how to get there. Safety is a feeling only. It actually does not exist in the physical world. Therefore, when we can lead or guide a horse to feelings of safety, that horse will quickly become respectful and compliant.
To me feelings of safety mean several things. The first thing is an awareness of an inner peace. When I feel safe I feel a sense of inner peace. Even if I were trying to skydive out of an airplane, if I felt safe there would still be a sense of inner peace along with the adrenalin. Another word for that inner peace would be ‘trust.’ I am trusting that I would be safe jumping from the plane. Some might call that ‘faith’ as well. Unless we have a sense of safety in our lives, we don’t have much of a life. Our existence is reduced to living in a very limited, fearful world where nothing new is attempted. We would feel a great deal of paranoia and fear would permeate much of what we do. When there is no leader present for the horse, their constant companion is fear and they attempt to control their environment in a strong effort to find a sense of safety.
This brings us back to the question of dishing out punishment and disciplinary action as opposed to providing consequences for behavior we rather not have from our horses. When we dish out punishment we create resentment not respect. When we punish a horse we create fear. Horses do not punish each other. Attempts to take disciplinary action against an individual rarely do anything to change the attitude of that person. It is the attitude that needs to be changed. It has to become the person’s idea to behave in an appropriate way within the society they live. It is the same for the horse. We need to somehow make it the horse’s idea to behave in ways that we want and that are appropriate for the community they live in. Providing a consequence puts the responsibility on the individual for their behavior. Dishing out punishment takes the responsibility and puts it in the hands of the punisher.
A good consequence for a horse’s inappropriate behavior is movement. Horses are naturally lazy. This is part of their survival mechanism. If they run too much they tire and get picked off by a predator. So, they run just enough until they feel a sense of safety (provided and guided by the lead mare). A good reward for compliant behavior from a horse is rest (a peaceful moment). I have become proficient at providing the consequence of movement immediately upon a horse doing anything I do not want and a brief rest as reward for what I do want. Whether on the ground or in the saddle, for biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, charging, being nervous, pushy or anything undesirable I ask a horse to either do hind quarter yields or bend around me in tight circles in both directions and several rotations. I practice this with the horse as part of their initial training so the moves become second nature and as familiar as breathing. This assures their response is immediate and without resistance. These simple moves, when done appropriately and efficiently, will immediately put the horse’s attention upon the human as their good leader. This takes the horse’s focus off of whatever else is happening and puts it upon the task requested. When the horse completes several rotations in both directions, I offer the horse a very short rest and then request the behavior or action I want. If the horse is still behaving in a way I do not want, I repeat the process. Because I understand the horse’s underlying desire for feeling safe (at peace), I repeat the process until the horse accepts the fact that the movement (work) is a consequence for its unwanted behavior. The horse learns that peace can be easily found by behaving in a more desirable way. This allows the horse to take responsibility for its actions and modify its behavior accordingly. Thus the horse learns that being compliant and respecting my requests is the surest, fastest way to feelings of safety (peace and rest).
I have been asked that “isn’t the movement a form of punishment?” This goes back to the core issue of how my words reflect my attitude. I do not want to be a punisher. I want to be a good leader. If I am a punisher there is a shift in the energy behind what I am asking the horse to do. The horse knows the attitude and the energy that is behind the request. It knows whether I am making a request or a demand by my attitude and energy. By providing a consequence I have not made the horse bad or wrong in my mind or his. The energy is that of the leader rather than the punisher. I am trying to guide the horse into taking responsibility for its actions and a fair and appropriate consequence does that. A punishment creates fear and resentment. So, my attitude is reflected in my language as well as the energy behind what I am asking of the horse. The individual receiving the consequence or the punishment feels either our anger or our support. Punishment is most often preceded by and provided with a degree of anger. Consequences provided that are fare do not generally have anything but concern or supportive motivation behind them and, thus, are void of angry feelings. It is the feelings evoked by the interaction that are the key to the animal taking responsibility for its actions and learning the lesson. Punishment produces fear and appropriate consequences produce learning.
As I encourage humans to be compassionate and kind to their horses as well each other, making thoughtful choices and decisions is very important to me. The words we use in our daily language produce an energetic response within the listener and ourselves as well. I wish to develop a deep level of trust with a horse very quickly. My frame of reference and beliefs about horses and their training are reflected in how I think and speak about them. I endeavor to be very conscious about my speech, the words used and how I say them. As horses also communicate through body language (humans do too but unconsciously), I am very self-aware of how I stand and position myself when in the company of horses. This is an important aspect of good communication between individuals of any specie. Showing respect helps us to earn respect. Being trustworthy develops trust. Lets be the best we can be for our horses and each other. Lets endeavor to become peace bringers and not messengers of fear. Thinking before speaking and being aware of the power of our words and thoughts will help ensure the success of our relationships with our horses, with each other and support a better life for all.
Rather than Punishment,
and the Elimination of Fear
How we language what we do, the words we use, reflect how we think and what we believe about our lives. I think the old saying that ‘attitude is everything’ does ring quite true. If I say a horse is naughty, a term I hear in the UK a lot, that implies the horse is being bad. It also suggests a judgment that the horse has willfully done something against the wishes of the human. By using the word ‘naughty’ we have attributed all sorts of negative human aspects to that horse. In doing so it may be implied that the horse deserves punishment or discipline for their bad behavior. We say children are naughty or bad a lot when misbehavior happens and dish out what we think is earned and deserved punishment.
Personally, I don’t think punishment works. It didn’t on me when I was a child and I made an error in judgment. We all make mistakes, errors in judgment. Some of these errors are very serious and have tragic and catastrophic results where the lives of many innocent individuals are damaged beyond repair. But to make a judgment that a horse is ‘bad’ because of a specific, undesirable behavior is erroneous and a mistake. The worst behavior we see in a horse is merely the animal reacting to its own fear. It is not being naughty, it is being afraid. A horse being disrespectful of our boundaries, pushy and willful is fending for itself because there is no leader around to provide it with a sense of safety. Its behavior is the animal’s way of helping itself to feel safe, in control and assuring its own survival.
Horses naturally want to follow a good leader. That is their nature and how they survive in the wild. They follow that leader and show respect simply because the ‘leader’ is present. It should be expected that a horse would attempt to fend for itself and become its own leader in the absence of that individual who knows where ‘safety’ is and how to get there. Safety is a feeling only. It actually does not exist in the physical world. Therefore, when we can lead or guide a horse to feelings of safety, that horse will quickly become respectful and compliant.
To me feelings of safety mean several things. The first thing is an awareness of an inner peace. When I feel safe I feel a sense of inner peace. Even if I were trying to skydive out of an airplane, if I felt safe there would still be a sense of inner peace along with the adrenalin. Another word for that inner peace would be ‘trust.’ I am trusting that I would be safe jumping from the plane. Some might call that ‘faith’ as well. Unless we have a sense of safety in our lives, we don’t have much of a life. Our existence is reduced to living in a very limited, fearful world where nothing new is attempted. We would feel a great deal of paranoia and fear would permeate much of what we do. When there is no leader present for the horse, their constant companion is fear and they attempt to control their environment in a strong effort to find a sense of safety.
This brings us back to the question of dishing out punishment and disciplinary action as opposed to providing consequences for behavior we rather not have from our horses. When we dish out punishment we create resentment not respect. When we punish a horse we create fear. Horses do not punish each other. Attempts to take disciplinary action against an individual rarely do anything to change the attitude of that person. It is the attitude that needs to be changed. It has to become the person’s idea to behave in an appropriate way within the society they live. It is the same for the horse. We need to somehow make it the horse’s idea to behave in ways that we want and that are appropriate for the community they live in. Providing a consequence puts the responsibility on the individual for their behavior. Dishing out punishment takes the responsibility and puts it in the hands of the punisher.
A good consequence for a horse’s inappropriate behavior is movement. Horses are naturally lazy. This is part of their survival mechanism. If they run too much they tire and get picked off by a predator. So, they run just enough until they feel a sense of safety (provided and guided by the lead mare). A good reward for compliant behavior from a horse is rest (a peaceful moment). I have become proficient at providing the consequence of movement immediately upon a horse doing anything I do not want and a brief rest as reward for what I do want. Whether on the ground or in the saddle, for biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, charging, being nervous, pushy or anything undesirable I ask a horse to either do hind quarter yields or bend around me in tight circles in both directions and several rotations. I practice this with the horse as part of their initial training so the moves become second nature and as familiar as breathing. This assures their response is immediate and without resistance. These simple moves, when done appropriately and efficiently, will immediately put the horse’s attention upon the human as their good leader. This takes the horse’s focus off of whatever else is happening and puts it upon the task requested. When the horse completes several rotations in both directions, I offer the horse a very short rest and then request the behavior or action I want. If the horse is still behaving in a way I do not want, I repeat the process. Because I understand the horse’s underlying desire for feeling safe (at peace), I repeat the process until the horse accepts the fact that the movement (work) is a consequence for its unwanted behavior. The horse learns that peace can be easily found by behaving in a more desirable way. This allows the horse to take responsibility for its actions and modify its behavior accordingly. Thus the horse learns that being compliant and respecting my requests is the surest, fastest way to feelings of safety (peace and rest).
I have been asked that “isn’t the movement a form of punishment?” This goes back to the core issue of how my words reflect my attitude. I do not want to be a punisher. I want to be a good leader. If I am a punisher there is a shift in the energy behind what I am asking the horse to do. The horse knows the attitude and the energy that is behind the request. It knows whether I am making a request or a demand by my attitude and energy. By providing a consequence I have not made the horse bad or wrong in my mind or his. The energy is that of the leader rather than the punisher. I am trying to guide the horse into taking responsibility for its actions and a fair and appropriate consequence does that. A punishment creates fear and resentment. So, my attitude is reflected in my language as well as the energy behind what I am asking of the horse. The individual receiving the consequence or the punishment feels either our anger or our support. Punishment is most often preceded by and provided with a degree of anger. Consequences provided that are fare do not generally have anything but concern or supportive motivation behind them and, thus, are void of angry feelings. It is the feelings evoked by the interaction that are the key to the animal taking responsibility for its actions and learning the lesson. Punishment produces fear and appropriate consequences produce learning.
As I encourage humans to be compassionate and kind to their horses as well each other, making thoughtful choices and decisions is very important to me. The words we use in our daily language produce an energetic response within the listener and ourselves as well. I wish to develop a deep level of trust with a horse very quickly. My frame of reference and beliefs about horses and their training are reflected in how I think and speak about them. I endeavor to be very conscious about my speech, the words used and how I say them. As horses also communicate through body language (humans do too but unconsciously), I am very self-aware of how I stand and position myself when in the company of horses. This is an important aspect of good communication between individuals of any specie. Showing respect helps us to earn respect. Being trustworthy develops trust. Lets be the best we can be for our horses and each other. Lets endeavor to become peace bringers and not messengers of fear. Thinking before speaking and being aware of the power of our words and thoughts will help ensure the success of our relationships with our horses, with each other and support a better life for all.
23. Natural Horsemanship Essay
GIVE ‘EM A BREAK
Using 'Rest' as a Reward in Horse Training
Perhaps you may have noticed that usually within one minute of stopping a horse after asking for some moderate movement (or almost any movement or input of energy) that the horse will sigh and then lick and chew. This sighing means the same for the horse as it does for us humans. It indicates the individual is relaxing a bit and releasing tension. The licking and chewing shows the horse is thinking and processing what it just did. It also is a display of compliance and acquiescence to the ‘leader.’ These are very important and significant responses by the horse that can be used to the benefit of trainers with their horses.
Horses can only bring their attention to one thing at a time. If they are moving, their attention is only on the movement. It is when they stop moving that they can actually reflect mentally on what they just did and how they are feeling. The physical licking and chewing is an indication of this mental activity. During my years as a trainer I have found the horse will learn more effectively and efficiently when I allowed a very short rest immediately after a horse doing, or even trying to do, what I requested. They invariably sigh fairly quickly and then lick and chew. As horses are naturally lazy (wanting to mostly move about only as much as needed to stay safe) for their own survival, they really do want that rest. This makes the short break right after movement, or any effort at compliance, a terrific, easy and convenient reward for the horse. They will quickly learn that rest and praise will follow their positive effort. This creates what I call a ‘winning cycle’ for the horse. This means when a request is made and complied with, the horse is immediately rewarded with release of all pressure (rest) and the support of a little praise (“Good Boy!”). This winning cycle will become habitual for the horse if used over time with consistency and the horse will become a better learner and a more willing student.
I have seen so many riders and horse owners attempting to train their horses and never providing a break (release of pressure). They push and push the horse without understanding or recognizing when the horse is trying to do as requested. Then they get angry and frustrated with the horse and the innocent horse then becomes fearful from being frustrated by never having its effort be rewarded. This could be called a ‘losing cycle’ and is very undesirable. Another common term for this effective technique I am describing would be ‘positive reinforcement.’ A key factor in the success of this technique is the ability of the human to determine when the horse is attempting to comply. Unless the human is experienced and aware with their horse, this ‘trying’ by the horse often goes unseen and unacknowledged.
Here is an example of a horse trying to comply with a request and it’s attempts are misunderstood: When asking a horse to pick up his foot and the horse lifts the foot for a moment and immediately jams it back down. Many folks think the horse is being stubborn and not wanting to provide the foot for cleaning, shoeing or whatever. This is a big error in interpretation of the animal’s behavior. The reality of that behavior is that the horse is trying to provide the foot but is afraid of surrendering part of its ability to run away or strike if need be. It is a matter of ‘trust’ and feelings of safety within the horse. Here is what I do in that situation. I do not grab at a hoof, attempt to pull it up or any such thing. Sometimes I will attempt to provide a ‘fly bite’ on the horse’s leg with the fingernail of my thumb on the thin skin covering the cannon bone. We see horses picking up their feet and stomping their legs to get rid of flies on their legs all the time. Horses are obviously strong enough to pick up their own feet. I ask for a “foot” verbally, touch the cannon bone of the appropriate leg, sometimes with my thumbnail, and reward the horse with release of all pressure and a very brief bit of praise, even if it leans in the proper direction to provide the foot. If it picks the foot up a little and quickly puts it down, I believe the horse is trying to provide the foot and beginning to feel better about giving it. I praise the horse for that effort. Usually within a few minutes the horse is picking up the foot on its own and will hold it up. I have had great success with this technique with horses that for years had to be sedated in order to have a ferrier work on them. Developing trust with a horse is related to understanding when the animal is attempting to comply with a request and then rewarding that attempt. This is crucial to successfully training horses.
I think it is interesting that this ‘winning cycle’ method of teaching works with children as well as horses. If parents would ask their child to do something easy, some task they know the child can do, the child does it and then gets immediate praise; this creates the beginnings of a winning cycle. The child’s self-esteem goes way up, their confidence increases and they are more likely to try to do what is asked of them the next time. This series of events repeated often; request, trying to comply and then praise (reward) for the ‘try,’ actually helps build character and responsibility in children. In horses it help create a more positive and trusting bond between the animal and the human. To me this is a very important and far-reaching outcome of the technique.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
Using 'Rest' as a Reward in Horse Training
Perhaps you may have noticed that usually within one minute of stopping a horse after asking for some moderate movement (or almost any movement or input of energy) that the horse will sigh and then lick and chew. This sighing means the same for the horse as it does for us humans. It indicates the individual is relaxing a bit and releasing tension. The licking and chewing shows the horse is thinking and processing what it just did. It also is a display of compliance and acquiescence to the ‘leader.’ These are very important and significant responses by the horse that can be used to the benefit of trainers with their horses.
Horses can only bring their attention to one thing at a time. If they are moving, their attention is only on the movement. It is when they stop moving that they can actually reflect mentally on what they just did and how they are feeling. The physical licking and chewing is an indication of this mental activity. During my years as a trainer I have found the horse will learn more effectively and efficiently when I allowed a very short rest immediately after a horse doing, or even trying to do, what I requested. They invariably sigh fairly quickly and then lick and chew. As horses are naturally lazy (wanting to mostly move about only as much as needed to stay safe) for their own survival, they really do want that rest. This makes the short break right after movement, or any effort at compliance, a terrific, easy and convenient reward for the horse. They will quickly learn that rest and praise will follow their positive effort. This creates what I call a ‘winning cycle’ for the horse. This means when a request is made and complied with, the horse is immediately rewarded with release of all pressure (rest) and the support of a little praise (“Good Boy!”). This winning cycle will become habitual for the horse if used over time with consistency and the horse will become a better learner and a more willing student.
I have seen so many riders and horse owners attempting to train their horses and never providing a break (release of pressure). They push and push the horse without understanding or recognizing when the horse is trying to do as requested. Then they get angry and frustrated with the horse and the innocent horse then becomes fearful from being frustrated by never having its effort be rewarded. This could be called a ‘losing cycle’ and is very undesirable. Another common term for this effective technique I am describing would be ‘positive reinforcement.’ A key factor in the success of this technique is the ability of the human to determine when the horse is attempting to comply. Unless the human is experienced and aware with their horse, this ‘trying’ by the horse often goes unseen and unacknowledged.
Here is an example of a horse trying to comply with a request and it’s attempts are misunderstood: When asking a horse to pick up his foot and the horse lifts the foot for a moment and immediately jams it back down. Many folks think the horse is being stubborn and not wanting to provide the foot for cleaning, shoeing or whatever. This is a big error in interpretation of the animal’s behavior. The reality of that behavior is that the horse is trying to provide the foot but is afraid of surrendering part of its ability to run away or strike if need be. It is a matter of ‘trust’ and feelings of safety within the horse. Here is what I do in that situation. I do not grab at a hoof, attempt to pull it up or any such thing. Sometimes I will attempt to provide a ‘fly bite’ on the horse’s leg with the fingernail of my thumb on the thin skin covering the cannon bone. We see horses picking up their feet and stomping their legs to get rid of flies on their legs all the time. Horses are obviously strong enough to pick up their own feet. I ask for a “foot” verbally, touch the cannon bone of the appropriate leg, sometimes with my thumbnail, and reward the horse with release of all pressure and a very brief bit of praise, even if it leans in the proper direction to provide the foot. If it picks the foot up a little and quickly puts it down, I believe the horse is trying to provide the foot and beginning to feel better about giving it. I praise the horse for that effort. Usually within a few minutes the horse is picking up the foot on its own and will hold it up. I have had great success with this technique with horses that for years had to be sedated in order to have a ferrier work on them. Developing trust with a horse is related to understanding when the animal is attempting to comply with a request and then rewarding that attempt. This is crucial to successfully training horses.
I think it is interesting that this ‘winning cycle’ method of teaching works with children as well as horses. If parents would ask their child to do something easy, some task they know the child can do, the child does it and then gets immediate praise; this creates the beginnings of a winning cycle. The child’s self-esteem goes way up, their confidence increases and they are more likely to try to do what is asked of them the next time. This series of events repeated often; request, trying to comply and then praise (reward) for the ‘try,’ actually helps build character and responsibility in children. In horses it help create a more positive and trusting bond between the animal and the human. To me this is a very important and far-reaching outcome of the technique.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
22. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
One Thing at a Time, Please
Horses don’t multi-task well. The way their minds are wired, they can only focus on or pay attention to one thing at a time. Fortunately or unfortunately, we humans seem to multi-task most all of the time. We will be thinking of one thing and doing another. Or, we will be trying to do several things while thinking of something else. It seems to me, this is the way it is for us much of the time. We tend to project this ability onto our horses by the way we communicate with them (providing too much input at once). This is an erroneous projection onto single-minded specie.
Horses don’t even process information much at all while they are in motion. Like all prey animals, they just run from danger when triggered to. They can follow their leader(s) at full speed and usually watch out for where they are stepping, but that’s about it. They observe motion very well and process ‘feelings’ attached, almost like computer files, to their observations. If the motion/action of the others around them is calm, they most often respond in a like manner. If the motion around them is fast and quick, they can become fearful quickly, as ‘fast/quick’ action most often is associated with scary occurrences.
During times of general training and schooling of horses we humans need to be extremely thoughtful of our communications and our own thoughts as well. We should stop all extraneous thoughts, mind wandering and focus on the best way to communicate the requests we have for the horse. One good way to assist ourselves doing that is to visualize exactly what we want the horse to do. Holding that image will immediately quiet our minds somewhat and allow us to focus on the desired result. From that image we will often receive the information we need to communicate the appropriate request to the horse. An example of this is; if you were painting a picture and you manage to hold an image of the picture in your mind, you would probably also have the brush strokes needed, in a step-by-step process, in the present moment, to produce that image. The quieter the mind, the more enhanced it’s ability to focus and produce a desired outcome. Steps to materialize that outcome almost magically appear or just seem to happen. This is the result of not being so multi-task orientated and quieting our minds. However, turning off the constant chatter we have going on can be a daunting proposition. But it really helps to try to do so when working with horses.
Actually, the horse is a perfect attention grabber for us. It has such physical presence that most often, just being them helps us to stop multi-tasking and focus on them and the task with them at hand. Such is the case when grooming. We are supposed to be very ‘present’ with the horse in order to tune into how the animal is feeling. This alone may prevent injury to the horse or us. Likewise, it will assist us in having a better outcome from the grooming experience and enhance our connection with the animal all at once. The ability to get fully present and focus is a trait of very highly functioning individuals. Horses are that way naturally providing they are not processing fearful feelings. When we over-input our horses by confusing signals, frustrating them or being too ‘unsure’ ourselves about which way to go or how to ask for something, we produce fearful and insecure feelings within the horses. In situations like that, the first thing we should do is to stop all motion and consciously breathe. This alone will quiet our minds and assist us in focusing on what is needed in the present moment to accomplish a goal with our horse. Conscious breathing will help everything tremendously and do so immediately.
When I train/school horses I begin by asking for one step at a time. Receiving that ‘one step’ produces an immediate reward for the horse of a release of the pressure of the request (leg cue, hand cue or whatever) and a bit of praise (“Good Boy!”). That’s it! That is all that is required in that moment. I will then go on to requesting the next step. After a short bit of time the ‘steps’ become like links on a strong chain. One step becomes many steps performed confidently and without any confusion (fear) within the horse as to what I want. By having that image of the first step as the focus of my mind, my mind is quiet and able to produce the exact thing I need to do to make that request happen. The process becomes ‘naturally logical’, as our minds tend to provide us with all that is needed in the moment when the mind is calm and focused in the present. There is huge benefit to us when we do not multi-task. For our horses it makes our requests much easier to understand and respond to.
I know many people very attached to their multi-tasking ways and busy minds. They say they get more accomplished in their day-to-day lives. Their minds always seem full of dialogue and thoughts, which, they feel, puts them on the fast track to getting things done. To me, this is not how I wish to live my life. I know horses do not exist that way at all. I have come to understand that enduring, successful relationships with horses are forged over time through one’s ability to be present, calm and focused when with them. Irregardless of the tasks or goals at hand, a calm presence, quietly strong and confident, is a sure fire way to gain a horse’s trust and receive willing compliance to most all requests skillfully made. Couple this with a one-step-at-a-time way of asking for something from a horse, will lead to great success with the animal in all situations. “One thing at a time, please” works wonders with horses. It also helps humans live more fully in the present moment and have enhanced abilities to create specifically that which they desire to have in their lives.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
Horses don’t multi-task well. The way their minds are wired, they can only focus on or pay attention to one thing at a time. Fortunately or unfortunately, we humans seem to multi-task most all of the time. We will be thinking of one thing and doing another. Or, we will be trying to do several things while thinking of something else. It seems to me, this is the way it is for us much of the time. We tend to project this ability onto our horses by the way we communicate with them (providing too much input at once). This is an erroneous projection onto single-minded specie.
Horses don’t even process information much at all while they are in motion. Like all prey animals, they just run from danger when triggered to. They can follow their leader(s) at full speed and usually watch out for where they are stepping, but that’s about it. They observe motion very well and process ‘feelings’ attached, almost like computer files, to their observations. If the motion/action of the others around them is calm, they most often respond in a like manner. If the motion around them is fast and quick, they can become fearful quickly, as ‘fast/quick’ action most often is associated with scary occurrences.
During times of general training and schooling of horses we humans need to be extremely thoughtful of our communications and our own thoughts as well. We should stop all extraneous thoughts, mind wandering and focus on the best way to communicate the requests we have for the horse. One good way to assist ourselves doing that is to visualize exactly what we want the horse to do. Holding that image will immediately quiet our minds somewhat and allow us to focus on the desired result. From that image we will often receive the information we need to communicate the appropriate request to the horse. An example of this is; if you were painting a picture and you manage to hold an image of the picture in your mind, you would probably also have the brush strokes needed, in a step-by-step process, in the present moment, to produce that image. The quieter the mind, the more enhanced it’s ability to focus and produce a desired outcome. Steps to materialize that outcome almost magically appear or just seem to happen. This is the result of not being so multi-task orientated and quieting our minds. However, turning off the constant chatter we have going on can be a daunting proposition. But it really helps to try to do so when working with horses.
Actually, the horse is a perfect attention grabber for us. It has such physical presence that most often, just being them helps us to stop multi-tasking and focus on them and the task with them at hand. Such is the case when grooming. We are supposed to be very ‘present’ with the horse in order to tune into how the animal is feeling. This alone may prevent injury to the horse or us. Likewise, it will assist us in having a better outcome from the grooming experience and enhance our connection with the animal all at once. The ability to get fully present and focus is a trait of very highly functioning individuals. Horses are that way naturally providing they are not processing fearful feelings. When we over-input our horses by confusing signals, frustrating them or being too ‘unsure’ ourselves about which way to go or how to ask for something, we produce fearful and insecure feelings within the horses. In situations like that, the first thing we should do is to stop all motion and consciously breathe. This alone will quiet our minds and assist us in focusing on what is needed in the present moment to accomplish a goal with our horse. Conscious breathing will help everything tremendously and do so immediately.
When I train/school horses I begin by asking for one step at a time. Receiving that ‘one step’ produces an immediate reward for the horse of a release of the pressure of the request (leg cue, hand cue or whatever) and a bit of praise (“Good Boy!”). That’s it! That is all that is required in that moment. I will then go on to requesting the next step. After a short bit of time the ‘steps’ become like links on a strong chain. One step becomes many steps performed confidently and without any confusion (fear) within the horse as to what I want. By having that image of the first step as the focus of my mind, my mind is quiet and able to produce the exact thing I need to do to make that request happen. The process becomes ‘naturally logical’, as our minds tend to provide us with all that is needed in the moment when the mind is calm and focused in the present. There is huge benefit to us when we do not multi-task. For our horses it makes our requests much easier to understand and respond to.
I know many people very attached to their multi-tasking ways and busy minds. They say they get more accomplished in their day-to-day lives. Their minds always seem full of dialogue and thoughts, which, they feel, puts them on the fast track to getting things done. To me, this is not how I wish to live my life. I know horses do not exist that way at all. I have come to understand that enduring, successful relationships with horses are forged over time through one’s ability to be present, calm and focused when with them. Irregardless of the tasks or goals at hand, a calm presence, quietly strong and confident, is a sure fire way to gain a horse’s trust and receive willing compliance to most all requests skillfully made. Couple this with a one-step-at-a-time way of asking for something from a horse, will lead to great success with the animal in all situations. “One thing at a time, please” works wonders with horses. It also helps humans live more fully in the present moment and have enhanced abilities to create specifically that which they desire to have in their lives.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
21. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
Horse Love and How to Get It
Never take anything personally a horse does or does not do. Never say he doesn't love you or he only loves you sometimes. Your responsibility is to love your horse and be the great leader all the time. Do not worry whether he loves you or not. Like any relationship, you cannot make someone love you. You give that up and only seek to offer your love. You must be your best, give your best, offer love (in appropriate form, which for horses means skillful, compassionate leadership every second you are with the horse) and never, never be disgruntled, offended, feel slighted or anything like that.
Your horse will deeply bond with (love) the one who spends the most time with it and successfully guides the motion, direction, action, etc. of the horse. Give lots and lots of praise for the horse complying with a request for movement or for requested non-movement (standing patiently). Allow the horse the satisfaction of earning praise and treats. Ask for something (movement), when you get it offer a “Whoa!” (a short break) allow/wait for the horse to lick and chew or eat it's cookie and then do something else. Consistently handling your horse this way, over time, will provide you with the deepest bond (love) that is possible with your horse. Love is accomplished over time with horses. It is not quick or a ‘given’. Trust is earned over time with great leadership being offered consistently (every moment).
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
Never take anything personally a horse does or does not do. Never say he doesn't love you or he only loves you sometimes. Your responsibility is to love your horse and be the great leader all the time. Do not worry whether he loves you or not. Like any relationship, you cannot make someone love you. You give that up and only seek to offer your love. You must be your best, give your best, offer love (in appropriate form, which for horses means skillful, compassionate leadership every second you are with the horse) and never, never be disgruntled, offended, feel slighted or anything like that.
Your horse will deeply bond with (love) the one who spends the most time with it and successfully guides the motion, direction, action, etc. of the horse. Give lots and lots of praise for the horse complying with a request for movement or for requested non-movement (standing patiently). Allow the horse the satisfaction of earning praise and treats. Ask for something (movement), when you get it offer a “Whoa!” (a short break) allow/wait for the horse to lick and chew or eat it's cookie and then do something else. Consistently handling your horse this way, over time, will provide you with the deepest bond (love) that is possible with your horse. Love is accomplished over time with horses. It is not quick or a ‘given’. Trust is earned over time with great leadership being offered consistently (every moment).
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
20. Natural Horsemanship Essay
Rules of Engagement
More Horse Training Tips
When we think of the term ‘rules of engagement’ we usually think of warfare. In years gone by, in some countries, officers would actually sit down with their enemies and formalize the terms of their battles. They would decide on acceptable weapons, locations, dealing with wounded and more. I am thinking of a totally different reference for ‘rules of engagement.’
Successful, efficient, yet gentle horse training has it’s own, special set of ‘rules of engagement.’ It is the engagement of the horse’s mind that I am referring to. Many humans do not realize how important it is to effectively engage the horse’s mind during training and how to do that. Actually effective horse training is all about engaging the horse’s mind. Many humans think horses have such a limited attention span that they overlook whether or not they have actually connected with the horse’s mind during their sessions. Some folks think the horse is so stupid that their minds can only be engaged for a very short period of time. They think that if an hour has gone by that their horse has been taxed mentally to its limit. This is an erroneous and unfair judgment of the horse’s mental capacities and capabilities.
Horses are very smart actually and have the ability to learn things quickly and lastingly. Abuse a horse just one time and they can immediately learn how to avoid that abuse in the future and perhaps the person who abused them as well. If a human makes a horse fearful that horse will immediately learn to avoid the source of the fear. Feelings of safety are the most important feelings a horse can have. Being a prey animal (eaten by various predators), trusting it is safe in the moment allows the horse to have a fuller life. That trusting that it is safe, gives the horse the confidence to eat, drink and sleep. It is the leader(s) of the herd and their effective leadership and guidance that give the other members of the herd that confidence and those feelings of safety (safety exists only as a feeling and is not part of the ‘outside’ world).
To do this they actively engage the other members of the herd. They engage the minds of these other horses through their guidance of the direction, speed and actions of the herd. Additionally, their body language (posturing), the sounds they make, as well as passing information to the herd through non-physical means (empathetic, which is shared emotion and telepathic, which is shared mental images) cues the other herd members to respond. We humans need to develop our methods and rules of engagement to effectively communicate our wishes and desires to our horses. We need to become the great herd leaders for our horses. It is not solely about being ‘alpha’ or dominant. There must be an ‘appropriateness’ to the communication.
Some of these Rules of Engagement should be: Knowing exactly what you want the horse to do before you ask. Having a clear mental image of the action you want the horse to perform is extremely important to have successful interaction with your horse. These things help your requests to be clear for the horse. If you confuse a horse by not being precise in your desires and requests, don’t expect the horse to be able to understand and be able to try to do as asked. Having a very good understanding of when a horse is trying to comply with a request, and then, when and how to reward that animal’s effort is also vital to the success of the training. Rewarding a horse for it’s trying to comply with a request should come immediately when the horse makes a good effort. A suitable and appropriate reward is a brief rest and break from the pressure of the request. Accompanied by a bit of praise like a “Good boy,” a short rest is all that is required for a horse to know it is being rewarded for it’s effort. Additionally, understanding how much ‘pressure’ to put into a request is vital. Being ‘over the top’ with pressure produces fear in the horse and, therefore, resistance. Not having enough pressure in a request prompts the horse to ignore the request or not take the request seriously enough to try.
A few additional Rules of Engagement could be: Clarity in the human’s mind helps create clarity in the mind of the horse. If we confuse a horse we make it afraid. If we frustrate a horse, that makes it fearful as well. If we blame a horse and judge it as bad because it makes a mistake or ‘acts out’ (unwanted behavior because we have produced fear within the horse), this makes any situation with a horse worse. If we get angry at our horses and take their behavior(s) personally, this makes us tend to want to punish them. Punishment should never be an option. Neither should a human ever take a horse’s behavior personally. It is never doing anything to us. It is just being a horse. Reprimands and providing consequences for unwanted behavior is very acceptable as it sets up a learning situation for the horse and helps the horse understand it can take responsibility for the outcomes of its behavior. Through the practical application of these ‘rules’ we can become more effective leaders for our horses and have more successful training happen for our horses. With horses, appropriate reprimands and consequences can be in the form of movement. Any movement is work for a horse. Horses are naturally lazy, preferring to move about as peacefully as possible. This is not a bad thing as it needs to conserve energy so it has enough to run from a predator when need be. Physical or mental abuse should never an option.
Take every problem that arises with a horse as an opportunity to teach something. Teaching the horse it can trust the human is the most important lesson it can learn. This is accomplished through the human’s ability to be skillful, patient, precise and, most of all, kind and compassionate.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
More Horse Training Tips
When we think of the term ‘rules of engagement’ we usually think of warfare. In years gone by, in some countries, officers would actually sit down with their enemies and formalize the terms of their battles. They would decide on acceptable weapons, locations, dealing with wounded and more. I am thinking of a totally different reference for ‘rules of engagement.’
Successful, efficient, yet gentle horse training has it’s own, special set of ‘rules of engagement.’ It is the engagement of the horse’s mind that I am referring to. Many humans do not realize how important it is to effectively engage the horse’s mind during training and how to do that. Actually effective horse training is all about engaging the horse’s mind. Many humans think horses have such a limited attention span that they overlook whether or not they have actually connected with the horse’s mind during their sessions. Some folks think the horse is so stupid that their minds can only be engaged for a very short period of time. They think that if an hour has gone by that their horse has been taxed mentally to its limit. This is an erroneous and unfair judgment of the horse’s mental capacities and capabilities.
Horses are very smart actually and have the ability to learn things quickly and lastingly. Abuse a horse just one time and they can immediately learn how to avoid that abuse in the future and perhaps the person who abused them as well. If a human makes a horse fearful that horse will immediately learn to avoid the source of the fear. Feelings of safety are the most important feelings a horse can have. Being a prey animal (eaten by various predators), trusting it is safe in the moment allows the horse to have a fuller life. That trusting that it is safe, gives the horse the confidence to eat, drink and sleep. It is the leader(s) of the herd and their effective leadership and guidance that give the other members of the herd that confidence and those feelings of safety (safety exists only as a feeling and is not part of the ‘outside’ world).
To do this they actively engage the other members of the herd. They engage the minds of these other horses through their guidance of the direction, speed and actions of the herd. Additionally, their body language (posturing), the sounds they make, as well as passing information to the herd through non-physical means (empathetic, which is shared emotion and telepathic, which is shared mental images) cues the other herd members to respond. We humans need to develop our methods and rules of engagement to effectively communicate our wishes and desires to our horses. We need to become the great herd leaders for our horses. It is not solely about being ‘alpha’ or dominant. There must be an ‘appropriateness’ to the communication.
Some of these Rules of Engagement should be: Knowing exactly what you want the horse to do before you ask. Having a clear mental image of the action you want the horse to perform is extremely important to have successful interaction with your horse. These things help your requests to be clear for the horse. If you confuse a horse by not being precise in your desires and requests, don’t expect the horse to be able to understand and be able to try to do as asked. Having a very good understanding of when a horse is trying to comply with a request, and then, when and how to reward that animal’s effort is also vital to the success of the training. Rewarding a horse for it’s trying to comply with a request should come immediately when the horse makes a good effort. A suitable and appropriate reward is a brief rest and break from the pressure of the request. Accompanied by a bit of praise like a “Good boy,” a short rest is all that is required for a horse to know it is being rewarded for it’s effort. Additionally, understanding how much ‘pressure’ to put into a request is vital. Being ‘over the top’ with pressure produces fear in the horse and, therefore, resistance. Not having enough pressure in a request prompts the horse to ignore the request or not take the request seriously enough to try.
A few additional Rules of Engagement could be: Clarity in the human’s mind helps create clarity in the mind of the horse. If we confuse a horse we make it afraid. If we frustrate a horse, that makes it fearful as well. If we blame a horse and judge it as bad because it makes a mistake or ‘acts out’ (unwanted behavior because we have produced fear within the horse), this makes any situation with a horse worse. If we get angry at our horses and take their behavior(s) personally, this makes us tend to want to punish them. Punishment should never be an option. Neither should a human ever take a horse’s behavior personally. It is never doing anything to us. It is just being a horse. Reprimands and providing consequences for unwanted behavior is very acceptable as it sets up a learning situation for the horse and helps the horse understand it can take responsibility for the outcomes of its behavior. Through the practical application of these ‘rules’ we can become more effective leaders for our horses and have more successful training happen for our horses. With horses, appropriate reprimands and consequences can be in the form of movement. Any movement is work for a horse. Horses are naturally lazy, preferring to move about as peacefully as possible. This is not a bad thing as it needs to conserve energy so it has enough to run from a predator when need be. Physical or mental abuse should never an option.
Take every problem that arises with a horse as an opportunity to teach something. Teaching the horse it can trust the human is the most important lesson it can learn. This is accomplished through the human’s ability to be skillful, patient, precise and, most of all, kind and compassionate.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
19. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
Ten Secrets To Becoming Highly Successful With Horses
1. Attitude is everything.
The quality of our lives is dictated by our thoughts and beliefs. We see our world not as it is but as our judgments and paradigms (beliefs) dictate. If we judge our horse is bad, then we may think it deserves punishment. Perhaps we think the horse made us look like poor riders or simply made us look foolish. Actually, a horse is never doing anything to us personally. All unwanted behavior from a horse is a fear based reaction to something. Either pain (or the anticipation of pain), misunderstanding of a request, too much input at once, never being rewarded for efforts at compliance, frustration and more, can cause a fearful reaction from a horse. Notice I said reaction rather than response. They are two different things. A reaction is instinctual and without thought. A response tends to be somewhat thought out and more appropriate given the actual circumstances of the situation. As horses are prey animals their fearful reactions can be well understood as a survival mechanism and should not be punished. What needs to be established within the horse are feelings of safety and trust that it will be safe (survive). Safety does not live in the outside world. Safety is a feeling only. We either feel safe enough to take that plane ride or we do not. It is the same for a horse. It either feels safe and trusting enough to try to comply with requests made by a human (load into a float for example) or it does not. Therefore, it is easily understood that the development of trust between horse and human is essential, paramount and basic to any successful endeavor, or relationship, with a horse. The development of trust between horse and human is actually quite easy. It revolves around the human's abilities to consistently lead and guide simple movement by the horse, support the horse is being calm, as well as to always show compassion, kindness and skill when interacting with a horse. Having as the bottom line and overall agenda of maintaining the animal's feelings of safety, rather than other short term goals (i.e getting him into a float or over a jump) will assure the development of trust and a willingness by the horse to try to comply with the requests made by a human. This approach will definitely provide greater opportunities for success with a horse in all endeavors. Every instant we are with a horse is an opportunity to develop a deeper level of trust. Every step we ask a horse to take is a chance to earn that animal's trust even more. Success with horses help humans to develop these essential life skills and wonderful attributes: compassion and kindness to others, skillful and accurate communication techniques, self-awareness and enhanced awareness of our surroundings, connectedness to nature and the world around us, consistency in thought and action, becoming less judgmental and, therefore, less stressed, improved and more positive attitudes towards ourselves and others. These are only a few of the positive benefits of conscious and appropriate interaction with horses.
2. 'Trust' is the key to unlock the treasure trove of great endeavors with horses.
Without mutual trust we have nothing going with our horses. A slave may be obedient to their master. But, given the opportunity, that slave might kill that master, run away or somehow sabotage the master and his undertakings. Many humans think a horse should be their obedient slave. They immediately want to punish what they see as the animal being disobedient. Whipping a horse to get it to jump a fence is punishment. Beating a horse to get it into a float is the same thing. Scaring a horse to make it do anything is fostering fear and not trust. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence around the world. Even many well meaning horse owners will go to using force on their horses quickly if a problem arises. This is due to mistaken thinking, erroneous judgments, inaccurate information and incredibly inappropriate beliefs about their horses. It is the nature of a horse to want to follow and cooperate with a good leader. In the wild horse herd there are bullies and their are leaders. A bully can look like a leader, but it is not and observation will bear that out. An alpha horse is not necessarily the leader either. It may just be a more aggressive member of the herd. Leadership contains wisdom. The herd leader develops trust within the herd by knowing when it is safe for the herd to move, where it is safe to go, where to find food and water (as well as when to stop and eat and drink), when it is safe to rest and when escape is called for. The other members of the herd learn to trust that head/lead mare for their survival. It is the same for a human leader of a horse. That human has to have the knowledge and skills to assist the horse in feeling it will survive by: controlling the food resources (feeding on time), providing adequate shelter and some protective environment (controlling environmental aspects), setting and keeping boundaries (developing mutual spatial respect with the horse), appropriately and precisely requesting movement and immediately rewarding the horse for attempts at compliance. The reward is a simple rest (break from all pressure of a request) and maybe a Good Boy. That is it. In the wild horse herd, the lead mare will reward another horse for compliance by simply ignoring it and/or allowing that horse to come a bit closer (not too close) and do homage to that leader through a particular posturing. Leering to reward good effort is a wonderful habit for all humans to get into with their children, employees, friends and their horses.
3. Successful completion of a horse's and rider's basic training will foster more winning in competition and more success in all activities with horses.
What I experience most often with horses and their humans that have trouble in the show ring is incomplete training in the most basic of fundamental equestrian skills. One step at a time mastered before moving on to the next step is what is essential. It may sound too simple to be believed, but it is true. Appropriate use of aids is a skill that is lacking quite a bit. Light and gently responsive hands are essential to success as is a developed balanced and centered seat. There are teaching techniques that assist all this and more. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to success in the show ring is rider error and not something done or not done by the horse. Unfortunately, many riders who compete in shows, are unwilling to take responsibility for the outcome of the competition. They prefer to pass on responsibility to their 'unruly, uncooperative, spiteful, willful, stubborn and 'out to make them look bad' horse. How unfortunate and unfair this. The truth is that most problems occurring in the show ring can be resolved through one-step-at-a-time training, going back to the basics and not moving forward until a previous step is mastered, patience, consistency and a more developed sense of timing between horse and human. Again, developed trust will come into play as an essential part of any and all training.
4. Developing a confident horse will help ensure probable success in all equine matters.
As with children and adults as well, confidence is tied into self-esteem, courage, developing new skills, trying new things, taking calculated risks, approaching scary things, accepting differences and living a more expanded life. Confidence is developed over time through appropriately being exposed to new and different circumstances in a thoughtful and safe way. Often this is accomplished with the assistance of a good leader or guide. In the case of a horse developing confidence, it is exactly the same thing. Over time, the horse needs to be exposed to potentially scary things and new circumstances. It should not be expected that a horse will completely accept something it is afraid of when first being introduced to it. This is where a human's ability to 'read' (understand) a horse's reactions becomes very important. Not taking the animal too close to its fear limit is important to developing confidence and trust in its leader and itself. Knowing when to stop and reward a horse for even taking one step towards a scary object is extremely important. For my training methods I will reward even a small step a horse takes towards something it is afraid of. Being able to recognize a horse 'trying' to comply is an important skill and not to be taken lightly. It is paramount to highly successful training.
Knowing when and how to end a session with a horse on a positive note goes a long way to that horse looking forward to the next session with that human. It also supports the horse learning and retaining the lesson from that session. The hallmarks of good training are: consistency, clarity, calm, skill and, of course, compassion and kindness.
5. Develop good habits and ways of being when around horses.
Bad (old and outmoded) habits are difficult to modify even for humans. "Old ways die hard" is a very common expression. It is the same with horses. Equines habituate very quickly to behavior stemming from environmental stimulus such as: humans correctly handling or mishandling them, poor behavior from herd mates, barn and housing inadequacies in routine and more. The younger a horse is the easier it is to modify its behavior, even stable vices. Unwanted and potentially dangerous behaviors like biting, rearing, striking, bucking and more, if caught early on when the horse is merely showing a tendency to begin the behavior, are relatively easy to change. I prefer to provide a consequence for unwanted equine behavior rather than a punishment. We tend to want to punish what we think is 'bad' behavior. Punishment is often provided with the energy of anger behind it. Wanting retribution (revenge) for a perceived wrong is common amongst humans. This is inappropriate and unfair when applied to horses. Horses are never doing anything to us personally, despite what we may think. They are simply horses, reacting as horses do to the stimulus presented to them. All equine reaction is based either on fear of demise or trust in survival. Thus a horse is always innocent, but should be shown respect as to its size and power. Keeping ourselves safe should be as important to us as it is to the horse. Modifying behavior in horses begins with providing the opportunity for the horse to comply with a simple request; the horse immediate receives a reward for its attempts at compliance and then receives another request. This sets up a winning cycle of request, tries at compliance and immediate reward. The horse will habituate rather quickly to this pattern of behavior. The result will, over time, be the dropping away of unwanted habitual behavior and the initiating of desirable behavior in its place.
6. Providing an appropriate consequence for unwanted behavior can go a long way to modifying it.
A good consequence for unwanted equine behavior is movement (work). All motion or movement is work to a horse. Therefore, if a human is able to request simple, repetitive movement from a horse the instant it does something unwanted, the horse will quickly begin to associate the added work as a consequence of its behavior. This allows a learning situation to be instituted as opposed to the animal being punished. Punishment creates resentment, fear, frustration and a host of other negative reactions. Providing a consequence sets up a learning situation where the wrong doer receives an opportunity to take responsibility for its actions and learn what to do to avoid the consequence. Some good consequences for unwanted behavior from horses are small circles, hind-quarter yields and backing a substantial distance.
7. The common successful language humans can have with horses is the language of kindness, compassion, precision and respect.
Horses communicate in various ways such as; body language (posturing), verbal sounds, shared mental images, shared feelings (empathy) and intuitive cognizance, to name the main methods of equine communication. We humans need to tune into our intuition, feelings, visual impressions, sound recognitions and interpretations, telepathically received images and more to be really effective communicators with our horses. Most often humans 'project' false interpretations of equine behavior onto their horses. They make a personal issue of unwanted behavior, not understanding the animal is simply showing fear. A clear, calm mind goes a long way to assist the possibility of good mutual communication with horses. Releasing all judgment about the horse’s behavior can open the mind even further. This involves never taking anything personally a horse does. When I am working with a horse and the animal kicks out a bit or shows any resistance to movement (work), my job is to ignore the resistance (assuming it is a minor occurrence) and keep myself and the horse focused on simply moving forward. If the action of the horse detracts me from keeping the animal moving forward, the horse has won that round, so to speak. As rest (stopping all movement) is what the animal wants, if it can stop me from my requesting forward movement, it will learn quickly that a little resistance can bring about the ceasing of any work. Skill is absolutely required to be able to ignore minor resistance and keep communicating in such a way as to not show anger, but simply firm resolve to be the good leader of the dance with the horse.
8. How to always have a successful session (training or any experience) with a horse in theory is simple.
Let’s say a human is attempting to teach a horse a new thing such as loading into a float (trailer). The session goes on and on and never quite hits the mark with the horse fully loading. Perhaps it will go up to the ramp, but not into the trailer. Rather than getting angry and frustrated and then putting the horse away with that mind set, the human needs to be able to set aside their agenda of loading the horse that session. What should then happen is the human changing the action (the request) to something that human knows the horse can do easily and correctly. Something as simple as leading forward and stopping, the horse complies with the request and gets rewarded with a Good Boy and a brief rest (place of peace). What the human has created by going to a simple request the horse will readily comply with, is re-establishing the trusted leadership the horse is looking for to begin with. If the horse is then put away for the day, the session has ended on a positive note and the horse will look forward to seeing that human the next time. Steps can then be taken by the human to modify how the animal is being trained to load and have it be more successful. Putting a horse away when the human is angry and frustrated is like going to sleep with your partner or mate while angry at them. That anger (frustration) is generally still present in the morning and not a good start to the day.
9. ‘Reading’ a horse and developing a good (accurate) understanding of what the animal is trying to convey begins with the beliefs of the human about horses.
If we believe the horse is out to get us, we will never correctly understand what it is trying to convey. Again, never take anything a horse does personally. We must approach any interpretation of equine communication from a place of compassion. This way a human can more accurately determine what the horse is trying to ‘say.’ By letting go of any judgment about the horse, other than its innocence, we can step back and receive the entire communication without viewing it through a cloudy lens of prejudice or preconceived notions. As horses convey their feelings readily as part of their communication, humans must become more empathetic with the horse to be able to receive that emotional content of the communication. Intuition also plays an important role in successful equine communication. As the horse responds to its intuition about any situation, humans must allow their intuition to come into play during any attempts at equine communication. Human intuition is largely misunderstood and downplayed during our daily encounters in deference to an analytical approach to daily interactions. Horses do not analyze what is going on. Horses feel what is happening and humans need to do the same thing to be successful communicators with horses.
10. Developing an overall approach to horsemanship that advances and supports the highest level of equestrian activities, equine relationship, training efficiency and winning strategies is accomplished first by the human embracing the paradigm of compassion and kindness towards the horse always.
The second thing that should be in place for overall success with horses is knowledge about the psychology of horses. Unfortunately, these two things remain as the main blocks to wonderfully successful relationships with horses. I find this a tragic occurrence for horses and humans which leads to frustration, anger, and abuse of horses by humans. Learning about horses, their language and their ‘ways’ is a life long journey. The most advanced horse people I know always say they are continuously learning more and new information from and about their horses. For a human to pass on an easy opportunity to advance their knowledge of horses is unfair to their horses and limiting to themselves in ways that go beyond their relationship with their horse. Success with horses is a life enriching process that brings benefits to humans beyond their equine relationships and into many areas of their lives.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
1. Attitude is everything.
The quality of our lives is dictated by our thoughts and beliefs. We see our world not as it is but as our judgments and paradigms (beliefs) dictate. If we judge our horse is bad, then we may think it deserves punishment. Perhaps we think the horse made us look like poor riders or simply made us look foolish. Actually, a horse is never doing anything to us personally. All unwanted behavior from a horse is a fear based reaction to something. Either pain (or the anticipation of pain), misunderstanding of a request, too much input at once, never being rewarded for efforts at compliance, frustration and more, can cause a fearful reaction from a horse. Notice I said reaction rather than response. They are two different things. A reaction is instinctual and without thought. A response tends to be somewhat thought out and more appropriate given the actual circumstances of the situation. As horses are prey animals their fearful reactions can be well understood as a survival mechanism and should not be punished. What needs to be established within the horse are feelings of safety and trust that it will be safe (survive). Safety does not live in the outside world. Safety is a feeling only. We either feel safe enough to take that plane ride or we do not. It is the same for a horse. It either feels safe and trusting enough to try to comply with requests made by a human (load into a float for example) or it does not. Therefore, it is easily understood that the development of trust between horse and human is essential, paramount and basic to any successful endeavor, or relationship, with a horse. The development of trust between horse and human is actually quite easy. It revolves around the human's abilities to consistently lead and guide simple movement by the horse, support the horse is being calm, as well as to always show compassion, kindness and skill when interacting with a horse. Having as the bottom line and overall agenda of maintaining the animal's feelings of safety, rather than other short term goals (i.e getting him into a float or over a jump) will assure the development of trust and a willingness by the horse to try to comply with the requests made by a human. This approach will definitely provide greater opportunities for success with a horse in all endeavors. Every instant we are with a horse is an opportunity to develop a deeper level of trust. Every step we ask a horse to take is a chance to earn that animal's trust even more. Success with horses help humans to develop these essential life skills and wonderful attributes: compassion and kindness to others, skillful and accurate communication techniques, self-awareness and enhanced awareness of our surroundings, connectedness to nature and the world around us, consistency in thought and action, becoming less judgmental and, therefore, less stressed, improved and more positive attitudes towards ourselves and others. These are only a few of the positive benefits of conscious and appropriate interaction with horses.
2. 'Trust' is the key to unlock the treasure trove of great endeavors with horses.
Without mutual trust we have nothing going with our horses. A slave may be obedient to their master. But, given the opportunity, that slave might kill that master, run away or somehow sabotage the master and his undertakings. Many humans think a horse should be their obedient slave. They immediately want to punish what they see as the animal being disobedient. Whipping a horse to get it to jump a fence is punishment. Beating a horse to get it into a float is the same thing. Scaring a horse to make it do anything is fostering fear and not trust. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence around the world. Even many well meaning horse owners will go to using force on their horses quickly if a problem arises. This is due to mistaken thinking, erroneous judgments, inaccurate information and incredibly inappropriate beliefs about their horses. It is the nature of a horse to want to follow and cooperate with a good leader. In the wild horse herd there are bullies and their are leaders. A bully can look like a leader, but it is not and observation will bear that out. An alpha horse is not necessarily the leader either. It may just be a more aggressive member of the herd. Leadership contains wisdom. The herd leader develops trust within the herd by knowing when it is safe for the herd to move, where it is safe to go, where to find food and water (as well as when to stop and eat and drink), when it is safe to rest and when escape is called for. The other members of the herd learn to trust that head/lead mare for their survival. It is the same for a human leader of a horse. That human has to have the knowledge and skills to assist the horse in feeling it will survive by: controlling the food resources (feeding on time), providing adequate shelter and some protective environment (controlling environmental aspects), setting and keeping boundaries (developing mutual spatial respect with the horse), appropriately and precisely requesting movement and immediately rewarding the horse for attempts at compliance. The reward is a simple rest (break from all pressure of a request) and maybe a Good Boy. That is it. In the wild horse herd, the lead mare will reward another horse for compliance by simply ignoring it and/or allowing that horse to come a bit closer (not too close) and do homage to that leader through a particular posturing. Leering to reward good effort is a wonderful habit for all humans to get into with their children, employees, friends and their horses.
3. Successful completion of a horse's and rider's basic training will foster more winning in competition and more success in all activities with horses.
What I experience most often with horses and their humans that have trouble in the show ring is incomplete training in the most basic of fundamental equestrian skills. One step at a time mastered before moving on to the next step is what is essential. It may sound too simple to be believed, but it is true. Appropriate use of aids is a skill that is lacking quite a bit. Light and gently responsive hands are essential to success as is a developed balanced and centered seat. There are teaching techniques that assist all this and more. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to success in the show ring is rider error and not something done or not done by the horse. Unfortunately, many riders who compete in shows, are unwilling to take responsibility for the outcome of the competition. They prefer to pass on responsibility to their 'unruly, uncooperative, spiteful, willful, stubborn and 'out to make them look bad' horse. How unfortunate and unfair this. The truth is that most problems occurring in the show ring can be resolved through one-step-at-a-time training, going back to the basics and not moving forward until a previous step is mastered, patience, consistency and a more developed sense of timing between horse and human. Again, developed trust will come into play as an essential part of any and all training.
4. Developing a confident horse will help ensure probable success in all equine matters.
As with children and adults as well, confidence is tied into self-esteem, courage, developing new skills, trying new things, taking calculated risks, approaching scary things, accepting differences and living a more expanded life. Confidence is developed over time through appropriately being exposed to new and different circumstances in a thoughtful and safe way. Often this is accomplished with the assistance of a good leader or guide. In the case of a horse developing confidence, it is exactly the same thing. Over time, the horse needs to be exposed to potentially scary things and new circumstances. It should not be expected that a horse will completely accept something it is afraid of when first being introduced to it. This is where a human's ability to 'read' (understand) a horse's reactions becomes very important. Not taking the animal too close to its fear limit is important to developing confidence and trust in its leader and itself. Knowing when to stop and reward a horse for even taking one step towards a scary object is extremely important. For my training methods I will reward even a small step a horse takes towards something it is afraid of. Being able to recognize a horse 'trying' to comply is an important skill and not to be taken lightly. It is paramount to highly successful training.
Knowing when and how to end a session with a horse on a positive note goes a long way to that horse looking forward to the next session with that human. It also supports the horse learning and retaining the lesson from that session. The hallmarks of good training are: consistency, clarity, calm, skill and, of course, compassion and kindness.
5. Develop good habits and ways of being when around horses.
Bad (old and outmoded) habits are difficult to modify even for humans. "Old ways die hard" is a very common expression. It is the same with horses. Equines habituate very quickly to behavior stemming from environmental stimulus such as: humans correctly handling or mishandling them, poor behavior from herd mates, barn and housing inadequacies in routine and more. The younger a horse is the easier it is to modify its behavior, even stable vices. Unwanted and potentially dangerous behaviors like biting, rearing, striking, bucking and more, if caught early on when the horse is merely showing a tendency to begin the behavior, are relatively easy to change. I prefer to provide a consequence for unwanted equine behavior rather than a punishment. We tend to want to punish what we think is 'bad' behavior. Punishment is often provided with the energy of anger behind it. Wanting retribution (revenge) for a perceived wrong is common amongst humans. This is inappropriate and unfair when applied to horses. Horses are never doing anything to us personally, despite what we may think. They are simply horses, reacting as horses do to the stimulus presented to them. All equine reaction is based either on fear of demise or trust in survival. Thus a horse is always innocent, but should be shown respect as to its size and power. Keeping ourselves safe should be as important to us as it is to the horse. Modifying behavior in horses begins with providing the opportunity for the horse to comply with a simple request; the horse immediate receives a reward for its attempts at compliance and then receives another request. This sets up a winning cycle of request, tries at compliance and immediate reward. The horse will habituate rather quickly to this pattern of behavior. The result will, over time, be the dropping away of unwanted habitual behavior and the initiating of desirable behavior in its place.
6. Providing an appropriate consequence for unwanted behavior can go a long way to modifying it.
A good consequence for unwanted equine behavior is movement (work). All motion or movement is work to a horse. Therefore, if a human is able to request simple, repetitive movement from a horse the instant it does something unwanted, the horse will quickly begin to associate the added work as a consequence of its behavior. This allows a learning situation to be instituted as opposed to the animal being punished. Punishment creates resentment, fear, frustration and a host of other negative reactions. Providing a consequence sets up a learning situation where the wrong doer receives an opportunity to take responsibility for its actions and learn what to do to avoid the consequence. Some good consequences for unwanted behavior from horses are small circles, hind-quarter yields and backing a substantial distance.
7. The common successful language humans can have with horses is the language of kindness, compassion, precision and respect.
Horses communicate in various ways such as; body language (posturing), verbal sounds, shared mental images, shared feelings (empathy) and intuitive cognizance, to name the main methods of equine communication. We humans need to tune into our intuition, feelings, visual impressions, sound recognitions and interpretations, telepathically received images and more to be really effective communicators with our horses. Most often humans 'project' false interpretations of equine behavior onto their horses. They make a personal issue of unwanted behavior, not understanding the animal is simply showing fear. A clear, calm mind goes a long way to assist the possibility of good mutual communication with horses. Releasing all judgment about the horse’s behavior can open the mind even further. This involves never taking anything personally a horse does. When I am working with a horse and the animal kicks out a bit or shows any resistance to movement (work), my job is to ignore the resistance (assuming it is a minor occurrence) and keep myself and the horse focused on simply moving forward. If the action of the horse detracts me from keeping the animal moving forward, the horse has won that round, so to speak. As rest (stopping all movement) is what the animal wants, if it can stop me from my requesting forward movement, it will learn quickly that a little resistance can bring about the ceasing of any work. Skill is absolutely required to be able to ignore minor resistance and keep communicating in such a way as to not show anger, but simply firm resolve to be the good leader of the dance with the horse.
8. How to always have a successful session (training or any experience) with a horse in theory is simple.
Let’s say a human is attempting to teach a horse a new thing such as loading into a float (trailer). The session goes on and on and never quite hits the mark with the horse fully loading. Perhaps it will go up to the ramp, but not into the trailer. Rather than getting angry and frustrated and then putting the horse away with that mind set, the human needs to be able to set aside their agenda of loading the horse that session. What should then happen is the human changing the action (the request) to something that human knows the horse can do easily and correctly. Something as simple as leading forward and stopping, the horse complies with the request and gets rewarded with a Good Boy and a brief rest (place of peace). What the human has created by going to a simple request the horse will readily comply with, is re-establishing the trusted leadership the horse is looking for to begin with. If the horse is then put away for the day, the session has ended on a positive note and the horse will look forward to seeing that human the next time. Steps can then be taken by the human to modify how the animal is being trained to load and have it be more successful. Putting a horse away when the human is angry and frustrated is like going to sleep with your partner or mate while angry at them. That anger (frustration) is generally still present in the morning and not a good start to the day.
9. ‘Reading’ a horse and developing a good (accurate) understanding of what the animal is trying to convey begins with the beliefs of the human about horses.
If we believe the horse is out to get us, we will never correctly understand what it is trying to convey. Again, never take anything a horse does personally. We must approach any interpretation of equine communication from a place of compassion. This way a human can more accurately determine what the horse is trying to ‘say.’ By letting go of any judgment about the horse, other than its innocence, we can step back and receive the entire communication without viewing it through a cloudy lens of prejudice or preconceived notions. As horses convey their feelings readily as part of their communication, humans must become more empathetic with the horse to be able to receive that emotional content of the communication. Intuition also plays an important role in successful equine communication. As the horse responds to its intuition about any situation, humans must allow their intuition to come into play during any attempts at equine communication. Human intuition is largely misunderstood and downplayed during our daily encounters in deference to an analytical approach to daily interactions. Horses do not analyze what is going on. Horses feel what is happening and humans need to do the same thing to be successful communicators with horses.
10. Developing an overall approach to horsemanship that advances and supports the highest level of equestrian activities, equine relationship, training efficiency and winning strategies is accomplished first by the human embracing the paradigm of compassion and kindness towards the horse always.
The second thing that should be in place for overall success with horses is knowledge about the psychology of horses. Unfortunately, these two things remain as the main blocks to wonderfully successful relationships with horses. I find this a tragic occurrence for horses and humans which leads to frustration, anger, and abuse of horses by humans. Learning about horses, their language and their ‘ways’ is a life long journey. The most advanced horse people I know always say they are continuously learning more and new information from and about their horses. For a human to pass on an easy opportunity to advance their knowledge of horses is unfair to their horses and limiting to themselves in ways that go beyond their relationship with their horse. Success with horses is a life enriching process that brings benefits to humans beyond their equine relationships and into many areas of their lives.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
18. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
PRECISION and FIRMNESS
and their relevance when communicating with horses I recently had a discussion with a friend who is professional instructor/trainer about the relevance of precision and firmness when communicating with, training and riding horses. I had asked if one was more important than the other. We both decided that precision in the ability to make clear requests and explicit communication with the horse was more important than being firm. Precision can exist without firmness. But firmness without precision and clarity in requests should not exist. Of course appropriate firmness is very important at the right time. Not making commands, but rather the ability to have good and steady resolve when precisely asking for something from our horses is very important. But if an error is made in the communication and the animal becomes confused and the human continues the firmness (force) in asking the horse to comply, frustration is created within the horse and the human alike. Frustration leads to angry feelings for the human and fear within the horse and unwanted, aberrant and potentially dangerous behavior by the horse is the result. Traditionally, methods of dealing with horses contain a lot of firmness, force and “show them who is boss” paradigms. There is little to no mention of clarity, wisdom, compassion or developed skill.
Many of us who spend time with horses have experienced resistance from the horse to comply with a request. Just as many of us have attempted to push the horse forward towards what we want the horse to do, despite the animal showing it is confused and afraid. Continued use of firmness, or outright force, when the animal does not understand the request creates more fear. The fact that we may have been lacking precision in our request and communication with the horse eludes us and is often not even considered. We rush to judge the horse as stubborn, willful, having its own mind (like that is supposed to be a bad thing) and intentionally going against our wishes and showing disrespect for us personally. This allows us humans to not take responsibility for what is happening with our horse. We can tend to make an unfulfilled request the fault of a bad horse and certainly not because of something lacking in our horsemanship, knowledge or skills. This is a sad but true fact everywhere in the world where humans are with horses, no matter what the activity.
My approach to training horses is very calm and quiet. I have said that watching me train a horse can be like watching grass grow. Slow and steady gets it right for me. This calm, quiet approach helps me be a better and more precise communicator with the horse. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who is speaking too fast? It’s not easy and can be a frustrating and confusing experience. As horses do not speak English and have a distinctive language of their own based on body language (posturing and spatial aspects), sounds, shared feelings (empathy and intuition) and developed trust, it is so very easy to have a miscommunication with a horse. It is simple to unintentionally confuse this flight prone animal and cause it to experience fear. Thus, extreme caution and awareness should be exercised when we apply firmness and repetition to requests we make of our horses to make certain the animal actually understands the request. It is very important to not rush to judge the horse as bad if we are not getting compliance. Horses want to comply with their good leader. They unfailingly follow the leader of their herd in the wild as this supports their survival. They move aside when that leader (lead mare) wishes to move through the herd. They willingly comply with any and all requests made by this good, herd leader. Her communication is always precise and clear and only extremely rarely does she need to apply any firmness to her requests, and then only to a youngster perhaps. The firmness applied by the leader of the herd in the wild more often takes the form of intention and resolve rather than firmness.
A good way to have consistently better communication with a horse is to ask for something small and easy at first, being as precise as possible. If the animal understands and tries to comply, and then immediately gets rewarded for its effort (release of all pressure), afterwards we can ask for a little more. Asking for too much too fast, with or without precision in the communication, is a common error humans make with horses. I think this is the cause of the majority of problems humans have with their equines. Additionally, the absence, of steady and consistent positive reinforcement (reward of short breaks from all pressure) is part of failed communication/interaction with a horse as well. Without the reward the horse doesn’t know it has done or tried to do as requested. The human’s communications then become an endless stream of frustrating feelings and fear for the horse. Without the consistent reward for its efforts at compliance the horse will always become confused, frustrated and, therefore, fearful.
Another word for precision in communication could be clarity. Obtaining clarity is very desirable in most anything. When confusion is present chaos can happen easily. Chaos creates a fearful situation not only for horses but for us humans as well. Clarity of what we want in our minds, before we ask for it, is certain to provide a better chance for a positive and successful outcome in all circumstances, especially when we ask for something from our horses. Often times we are not really certain of what we want to ask of a horse. We have more of a general feeling than a specific image. It’s like asking a human what they want in life. Some people will say just to be happy, which is rather vague. Others may say a great marriage or career which is more specific and sends a clearer communication to the listener. Another may say to be an author and write a bestseller. That is being very specific and precise. I think the clearer and more precise we can picture or think of what we want, the better chance we have of receiving it. I know that the more precise the request made of a horse, the less firmness is needed and the chances of the horse trying to provide the request are greatly enhanced.
The most successful trainers, equestrians (riders) and horse people I have seen strive to have their relationships with their horses to have these very significant elements (provided in order of importance): compassion, wisdom of horses (not opinions or projections of human behavior), learned and well-practiced skills (excellent and very clear communication), earned and developed trust. Personally, I feel the two most important things listed here are the first (compassion) and the last (trust). If compassion and developed trust are main factors in the relationship, the other elements seem to appear simultaneously.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
and their relevance when communicating with horses I recently had a discussion with a friend who is professional instructor/trainer about the relevance of precision and firmness when communicating with, training and riding horses. I had asked if one was more important than the other. We both decided that precision in the ability to make clear requests and explicit communication with the horse was more important than being firm. Precision can exist without firmness. But firmness without precision and clarity in requests should not exist. Of course appropriate firmness is very important at the right time. Not making commands, but rather the ability to have good and steady resolve when precisely asking for something from our horses is very important. But if an error is made in the communication and the animal becomes confused and the human continues the firmness (force) in asking the horse to comply, frustration is created within the horse and the human alike. Frustration leads to angry feelings for the human and fear within the horse and unwanted, aberrant and potentially dangerous behavior by the horse is the result. Traditionally, methods of dealing with horses contain a lot of firmness, force and “show them who is boss” paradigms. There is little to no mention of clarity, wisdom, compassion or developed skill.
Many of us who spend time with horses have experienced resistance from the horse to comply with a request. Just as many of us have attempted to push the horse forward towards what we want the horse to do, despite the animal showing it is confused and afraid. Continued use of firmness, or outright force, when the animal does not understand the request creates more fear. The fact that we may have been lacking precision in our request and communication with the horse eludes us and is often not even considered. We rush to judge the horse as stubborn, willful, having its own mind (like that is supposed to be a bad thing) and intentionally going against our wishes and showing disrespect for us personally. This allows us humans to not take responsibility for what is happening with our horse. We can tend to make an unfulfilled request the fault of a bad horse and certainly not because of something lacking in our horsemanship, knowledge or skills. This is a sad but true fact everywhere in the world where humans are with horses, no matter what the activity.
My approach to training horses is very calm and quiet. I have said that watching me train a horse can be like watching grass grow. Slow and steady gets it right for me. This calm, quiet approach helps me be a better and more precise communicator with the horse. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who is speaking too fast? It’s not easy and can be a frustrating and confusing experience. As horses do not speak English and have a distinctive language of their own based on body language (posturing and spatial aspects), sounds, shared feelings (empathy and intuition) and developed trust, it is so very easy to have a miscommunication with a horse. It is simple to unintentionally confuse this flight prone animal and cause it to experience fear. Thus, extreme caution and awareness should be exercised when we apply firmness and repetition to requests we make of our horses to make certain the animal actually understands the request. It is very important to not rush to judge the horse as bad if we are not getting compliance. Horses want to comply with their good leader. They unfailingly follow the leader of their herd in the wild as this supports their survival. They move aside when that leader (lead mare) wishes to move through the herd. They willingly comply with any and all requests made by this good, herd leader. Her communication is always precise and clear and only extremely rarely does she need to apply any firmness to her requests, and then only to a youngster perhaps. The firmness applied by the leader of the herd in the wild more often takes the form of intention and resolve rather than firmness.
A good way to have consistently better communication with a horse is to ask for something small and easy at first, being as precise as possible. If the animal understands and tries to comply, and then immediately gets rewarded for its effort (release of all pressure), afterwards we can ask for a little more. Asking for too much too fast, with or without precision in the communication, is a common error humans make with horses. I think this is the cause of the majority of problems humans have with their equines. Additionally, the absence, of steady and consistent positive reinforcement (reward of short breaks from all pressure) is part of failed communication/interaction with a horse as well. Without the reward the horse doesn’t know it has done or tried to do as requested. The human’s communications then become an endless stream of frustrating feelings and fear for the horse. Without the consistent reward for its efforts at compliance the horse will always become confused, frustrated and, therefore, fearful.
Another word for precision in communication could be clarity. Obtaining clarity is very desirable in most anything. When confusion is present chaos can happen easily. Chaos creates a fearful situation not only for horses but for us humans as well. Clarity of what we want in our minds, before we ask for it, is certain to provide a better chance for a positive and successful outcome in all circumstances, especially when we ask for something from our horses. Often times we are not really certain of what we want to ask of a horse. We have more of a general feeling than a specific image. It’s like asking a human what they want in life. Some people will say just to be happy, which is rather vague. Others may say a great marriage or career which is more specific and sends a clearer communication to the listener. Another may say to be an author and write a bestseller. That is being very specific and precise. I think the clearer and more precise we can picture or think of what we want, the better chance we have of receiving it. I know that the more precise the request made of a horse, the less firmness is needed and the chances of the horse trying to provide the request are greatly enhanced.
The most successful trainers, equestrians (riders) and horse people I have seen strive to have their relationships with their horses to have these very significant elements (provided in order of importance): compassion, wisdom of horses (not opinions or projections of human behavior), learned and well-practiced skills (excellent and very clear communication), earned and developed trust. Personally, I feel the two most important things listed here are the first (compassion) and the last (trust). If compassion and developed trust are main factors in the relationship, the other elements seem to appear simultaneously.
SEE ALL OF FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS
17. Natural Horsemanship Essay...
Five Tips for Getting That New Horse to Love You
by Franklin Levinson
Reprinted from Trailblazer Magazine
People oftentimes start out on the wrong foot with a new horse, which quickly escalates into a major battle that the horse usually wins by employing scare and evasion tactics. Here is a brief discussion on this topic and five or more ways you can bond with your new animal so he "runs to greet you, rather than away from you"
When I greet a horse for the first time, any horse of any age, gender or stage of training, I connect from a polite distance before I get within the horse's ‘personal space’ or range. I direct some 'thoughtful, kind' energy towards the horse verbally and with my body language (I don't square off to the horse, I let him experience my side or profile). I make certain I am centered and focused and that my breathing is relaxed. I endeavor to be in a calm but very aware state of mind. Horses greet us consciously and expect us to do the same. Also, a degree of confidence within the human helps the horse begin to feel confident about the human. As feelings of safety and peace are so very important to a prey animal like the horse, it is important to try to help the animal maintain those positive feelings. My only agenda is for the horse to feel safe and confident that it will be safe with me.
Beginning a relationship with a new horse is a lot like beginning a new relationship with a human. A few basic ingredients will help to insure a positive experience for all. First of all show courtesy, respect, thoughtfulness and kindness. Do not enter the horse's personal space unless invited to by the horse's welcoming attitude. Don't put your hand on the horse's face or crowd his head. Stand by his shoulder as to not make him feel any more claustrophobic than he already naturally is. Speak in a soothing and confident tone. Keep your hands down. It’s thoughtful and respectful to learn something about his language before you attempt to communicate with him. Gain an understanding that the horse wants to connect with you and how to do it. Don't just wing it. Do a bit of homework first; read up on horses or watch an educational film. It will help you and the horse to understand and feel good about each other easier and faster. Once invited to come closer to the horse by it's attitude and body language, do so but only for a few seconds and then retreat or back away from the horse. Wait a bit and then go closer, after a few moments and maybe a little scratching gently on the horse's shoulder, back away again. You will see the horse begin to watch you as you move back and forth and follow you intently with his gaze and head. This advance and retreat behavior you do around the horse actually helps the horse feel safer with you and rather curious about you at the same time. It is very unpredator like. Horses like that.
Frequently humans over-input a horse even though we think we are just showing affection. Think about how horses greet each other in the wild. They share breath and then generally give each other some room. Horses being affectionate scratch each other with their teeth usually for only a short period of time. I have seen humans endlessly patting, rubbing and scratching a horse and the horse is actually leaning away from the human and would move away if it could (usually the horse is tied), but the human ignores the horse's response to the constant touching and keeps it up. Humans are usually very thoughtful about how they touch another human's body, but not so when touching a horse's body. They just do it and usually right on the horse's nose (a very sensitive and private body part). You never see horse's scratching each other's noses. Sometime a horse will love to be scratched for quite a long while or touched a certain way for an extended period of time, but we humans need to be sensitive to the horse’s responses just like we are with each other and wait to be invited to extend physical contact and then pay attention to the response of the animal as to whether or not our touch is appreciated.
I met my Colorado horse, "Sweet Pete", when his name was "Pistol Pete". I was told the horse was uncatchable, couldn’t be ridden safely without rearing, unloadable, dangerous, vicious, not to be trusted and, as one person who saw the horse hurt another person put it, "was a candidate for the firing squad". When I heard that, I couldn't wait to meet him. What I saw was one of the most fearful animals I had ever seen. He was 9 years old, beautiful, but so full of fear of humans he couldn't get far enough away, fast enough. Someone must have really hurt him badly over time. Anyway, I got him herded into a round pen where I promised him I would not approach him unless he invited me to or he came to me first. I sat down in the center of the ring and waited. Sometimes I walked around, I talked to him a lot, always reassuringly. I never squared my body to him. I sat again for a while, I walked for a while. Sometimes I moved around him, never right at him. I wanted him to feel free with me, that doing anything I wanted had to be his desire also. I continued this process for two days. At the end of the second day, Pete was following me around. He just started doing it, I never asked him to. I never pushed him around the round pen. Eventually, he invited me to touch him which I did on the shoulder and briefly. We had begun our relationship in ernest. When we got to the trailer loading sessions, he gave me the longest trailer loading session I have ever had, four hours before he got in. Now he leaps into the trailer when I point to it. When he is with me at a program I am presenting he is loose by my side all the time. He'll go and stand somewhere if I ask him, but he rather be right by my side. He finds me, he catches me, he is free to make this choice himself and he does. If you do your homework first, then show respect to the horse, kindness, thoughtfulness and the leadership of a great parent, you will be rewarded with one of the greatest relationships that exist in Nature.
So what are the five things to get any horse to love you quickly?
Besides apples, carrots!
Kindnes
Compassion
Respect
Patience
Great Leadership
RETURN TO ESSAYS BY FRANKLIN
by Franklin Levinson
Reprinted from Trailblazer Magazine
People oftentimes start out on the wrong foot with a new horse, which quickly escalates into a major battle that the horse usually wins by employing scare and evasion tactics. Here is a brief discussion on this topic and five or more ways you can bond with your new animal so he "runs to greet you, rather than away from you"
When I greet a horse for the first time, any horse of any age, gender or stage of training, I connect from a polite distance before I get within the horse's ‘personal space’ or range. I direct some 'thoughtful, kind' energy towards the horse verbally and with my body language (I don't square off to the horse, I let him experience my side or profile). I make certain I am centered and focused and that my breathing is relaxed. I endeavor to be in a calm but very aware state of mind. Horses greet us consciously and expect us to do the same. Also, a degree of confidence within the human helps the horse begin to feel confident about the human. As feelings of safety and peace are so very important to a prey animal like the horse, it is important to try to help the animal maintain those positive feelings. My only agenda is for the horse to feel safe and confident that it will be safe with me.
Beginning a relationship with a new horse is a lot like beginning a new relationship with a human. A few basic ingredients will help to insure a positive experience for all. First of all show courtesy, respect, thoughtfulness and kindness. Do not enter the horse's personal space unless invited to by the horse's welcoming attitude. Don't put your hand on the horse's face or crowd his head. Stand by his shoulder as to not make him feel any more claustrophobic than he already naturally is. Speak in a soothing and confident tone. Keep your hands down. It’s thoughtful and respectful to learn something about his language before you attempt to communicate with him. Gain an understanding that the horse wants to connect with you and how to do it. Don't just wing it. Do a bit of homework first; read up on horses or watch an educational film. It will help you and the horse to understand and feel good about each other easier and faster. Once invited to come closer to the horse by it's attitude and body language, do so but only for a few seconds and then retreat or back away from the horse. Wait a bit and then go closer, after a few moments and maybe a little scratching gently on the horse's shoulder, back away again. You will see the horse begin to watch you as you move back and forth and follow you intently with his gaze and head. This advance and retreat behavior you do around the horse actually helps the horse feel safer with you and rather curious about you at the same time. It is very unpredator like. Horses like that.
Frequently humans over-input a horse even though we think we are just showing affection. Think about how horses greet each other in the wild. They share breath and then generally give each other some room. Horses being affectionate scratch each other with their teeth usually for only a short period of time. I have seen humans endlessly patting, rubbing and scratching a horse and the horse is actually leaning away from the human and would move away if it could (usually the horse is tied), but the human ignores the horse's response to the constant touching and keeps it up. Humans are usually very thoughtful about how they touch another human's body, but not so when touching a horse's body. They just do it and usually right on the horse's nose (a very sensitive and private body part). You never see horse's scratching each other's noses. Sometime a horse will love to be scratched for quite a long while or touched a certain way for an extended period of time, but we humans need to be sensitive to the horse’s responses just like we are with each other and wait to be invited to extend physical contact and then pay attention to the response of the animal as to whether or not our touch is appreciated.
I met my Colorado horse, "Sweet Pete", when his name was "Pistol Pete". I was told the horse was uncatchable, couldn’t be ridden safely without rearing, unloadable, dangerous, vicious, not to be trusted and, as one person who saw the horse hurt another person put it, "was a candidate for the firing squad". When I heard that, I couldn't wait to meet him. What I saw was one of the most fearful animals I had ever seen. He was 9 years old, beautiful, but so full of fear of humans he couldn't get far enough away, fast enough. Someone must have really hurt him badly over time. Anyway, I got him herded into a round pen where I promised him I would not approach him unless he invited me to or he came to me first. I sat down in the center of the ring and waited. Sometimes I walked around, I talked to him a lot, always reassuringly. I never squared my body to him. I sat again for a while, I walked for a while. Sometimes I moved around him, never right at him. I wanted him to feel free with me, that doing anything I wanted had to be his desire also. I continued this process for two days. At the end of the second day, Pete was following me around. He just started doing it, I never asked him to. I never pushed him around the round pen. Eventually, he invited me to touch him which I did on the shoulder and briefly. We had begun our relationship in ernest. When we got to the trailer loading sessions, he gave me the longest trailer loading session I have ever had, four hours before he got in. Now he leaps into the trailer when I point to it. When he is with me at a program I am presenting he is loose by my side all the time. He'll go and stand somewhere if I ask him, but he rather be right by my side. He finds me, he catches me, he is free to make this choice himself and he does. If you do your homework first, then show respect to the horse, kindness, thoughtfulness and the leadership of a great parent, you will be rewarded with one of the greatest relationships that exist in Nature.
So what are the five things to get any horse to love you quickly?
Besides apples, carrots!
Kindnes
Compassion
Respect
Patience
Great Leadership
RETURN TO ESSAYS BY FRANKLIN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
