How To Teach a Horse Manners In Less Time
Sometimes we say things without listening to what we are saying.
I was going to be caring for some horses while their owners were away on vacation and they said something that seemed a bit silly to me.
"This one likes to goof off when you are taking her to the turnout sometimes, but not to worry, she won't do anything BAD.
She is just excited to get out because I don't have enough time to work with her.
" I kept that in mind and decided to challenge myself.
How long would it really take and how much effort would I have to put out in order to make a change in this horse's behavior? I took my challenge and in two days, just walking to and back from turn out, she was leading politely.
Just five minutes twice a day for two days.
How much effort? All I did was ask the mare to back ten steps every time she tried to jump in front of me or act silly.
Here is the thing, the statement made about the horse pointed to one of my top pet peeves, "My horse won't hurt me, he likes me.
" Try going to the emergency room and ask how many kids they check in a month with broken limbs due to "rough housing.
" The kids like each other, but when an individual is not paying attention to what they are doing someone always gets hurt, just ask your mom.
Now let's add a hyped up 900+ pound animal that is dancing around your meager 100+ pound body "just wanting to have a little fun," and you see the odds of you getting hurt just skyrocketed.
Yet, only ten minutes a day can start making changes in your horse's behavior if you will just commit to doing something positive with your horse every day.
Sounds too easy to be true, that in just 10 minutes you could be paving the way to a rewarding relationship with your horse without even saddling up.
Well, it's not.
Just decide to teach your horse one part of one lesson until it is learned then move to the next step.
For example: This week I will teach my horse where to put his head for bridling and haltering.
Then, each time you pass your horse's stall, walk in pet him and place your right hand on his poll with slight downward pressure and your left hand on the bridge of his nose with slight pressure toward your chest.
As soon as you see the ears lower and his head bend toward you, release and either ask again or leave the stall.
Yes, it can be that simple.
Well, you say, I cannot touch my horse's poll.
Then you will start your lessons even further back.
You will run your hand to the point just before your horse pulls away and take your hand off there.
Get the yes answer from your horse several times on both sides then take your hand a fraction of an inch closer.
Spend a few minutes every time you pass your horse every day and you will see his trust grow.
You are on your way to building a fine structure of communication with your horse instead of propping up a run down stick shed with more rotten sticks.
The point really is to make sure every interaction you have with your horse counts for something positive.
You as a horse owner can take the time to teach your horse to be rude and unruly by doing nothing, or spend the same amount of time teaching the horse to be kind and well mannered.
If you will take the energy and time you use to make excuses, show off battle scars, and tell war stories and spend it instead teaching your horse what is expected of it, you will find that five minutes twice a day can go a long, long way in creating a horse you can brag about instead of whine about.
I was going to be caring for some horses while their owners were away on vacation and they said something that seemed a bit silly to me.
"This one likes to goof off when you are taking her to the turnout sometimes, but not to worry, she won't do anything BAD.
She is just excited to get out because I don't have enough time to work with her.
" I kept that in mind and decided to challenge myself.
How long would it really take and how much effort would I have to put out in order to make a change in this horse's behavior? I took my challenge and in two days, just walking to and back from turn out, she was leading politely.
Just five minutes twice a day for two days.
How much effort? All I did was ask the mare to back ten steps every time she tried to jump in front of me or act silly.
Here is the thing, the statement made about the horse pointed to one of my top pet peeves, "My horse won't hurt me, he likes me.
" Try going to the emergency room and ask how many kids they check in a month with broken limbs due to "rough housing.
" The kids like each other, but when an individual is not paying attention to what they are doing someone always gets hurt, just ask your mom.
Now let's add a hyped up 900+ pound animal that is dancing around your meager 100+ pound body "just wanting to have a little fun," and you see the odds of you getting hurt just skyrocketed.
Yet, only ten minutes a day can start making changes in your horse's behavior if you will just commit to doing something positive with your horse every day.
Sounds too easy to be true, that in just 10 minutes you could be paving the way to a rewarding relationship with your horse without even saddling up.
Well, it's not.
Just decide to teach your horse one part of one lesson until it is learned then move to the next step.
For example: This week I will teach my horse where to put his head for bridling and haltering.
Then, each time you pass your horse's stall, walk in pet him and place your right hand on his poll with slight downward pressure and your left hand on the bridge of his nose with slight pressure toward your chest.
As soon as you see the ears lower and his head bend toward you, release and either ask again or leave the stall.
Yes, it can be that simple.
Well, you say, I cannot touch my horse's poll.
Then you will start your lessons even further back.
You will run your hand to the point just before your horse pulls away and take your hand off there.
Get the yes answer from your horse several times on both sides then take your hand a fraction of an inch closer.
Spend a few minutes every time you pass your horse every day and you will see his trust grow.
You are on your way to building a fine structure of communication with your horse instead of propping up a run down stick shed with more rotten sticks.
The point really is to make sure every interaction you have with your horse counts for something positive.
You as a horse owner can take the time to teach your horse to be rude and unruly by doing nothing, or spend the same amount of time teaching the horse to be kind and well mannered.
If you will take the energy and time you use to make excuses, show off battle scars, and tell war stories and spend it instead teaching your horse what is expected of it, you will find that five minutes twice a day can go a long, long way in creating a horse you can brag about instead of whine about.
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