| In today's horsed training world, it is becoming (if not | | | | Now, I hear you thinking, big deal, but the trainer is |
| already) increasing unacceptable for horses to be | | | | actually on the threshold of unlocking understanding |
| trained through the use restriction and tying in order to | | | | and respect from the horse. So let's continue with the |
| defeat the horse. Rather the modern and more | | | | initial training session. The trainer continues to repeat |
| humane methods rely on the philosophy of creating | | | | the above process, and after each time the colt will |
| situations where the horse has a way out. The horse's | | | | become noticeably less nervous and shows a |
| way out being the trainer's desired action. By providing | | | | decreasing sense of danger as he becomes softer |
| a way out and the horse always responds to you | | | | and less reactive in his movement away. |
| because you made it his idea. As the horse realises | | | | There are two goals for this initial session, one – to |
| you are the one giving him a way out, he learns to | | | | get the colt to allow contact (physical - stroke) and |
| trust you and sees you as his friend. | | | | two to teach the colt to turn on a signal. This turning |
| Let's look at a common situation amongst ‘natural | | | | must be towards the trainer as turning away still |
| horsemanship' proponents. | | | | signals escape. The trainer approaches the horse |
| We have an unbroken colt in a round pen. When the | | | | (who is thinking, this fellow has always given me a |
| trainer enters the colt immediately moves to the | | | | way out, his ok), and raises his outside hand. |
| opposite side of the pen, out of fear and self | | | | Remember the way out is for the horse to turn |
| preservation. In order to get the colt to move the | | | | towards you (not away and show you his rear). |
| trainer approaches, but in doing so the trainer | | | | The trainer continues to repeat this until the horse |
| approaches slightly to one side allowing the colt to | | | | becomes more relaxed and soft. Now the test of |
| move away (escape). By allowing an escape the | | | | trust, the trainer approaches the horse and attempt to |
| trainer is communicating to the colt and allowing him a | | | | touch him between the eyes, if the colt continues to |
| way out of the uncomfortable situation. | | | | move away the trainer will force the colt to move |
| Let look at this a little more closely. If the trainer wishes | | | | away in a desired direction. The trainer will then stop |
| the horse to move to the right, he will approach the | | | | driving the horse and allow him to face up and again |
| horse to the left, and allows the horse to move to the | | | | attempt to rub him between the eyes, this continues |
| right. The simple philosophy is ‘make the wrong | | | | until the horse allows the trainers rubbing. |
| thing difficult and the right thing easy'. | | | | |