| Many people find working with horses to be an | | | | So, instead of fighting him by pulling, turn around and |
| unexpected challenge. Here are some pointers that | | | | ask him to back up 5 feet. Do that every time he |
| can lead to success when training a horse. | | | | drags on the rope, and soon enough he will realize he |
| Above all, when training a horse you must have | | | | is going to have to do a lot more extra work when he |
| patience. It can be said that horses learn in "slow | | | | drags on the rope. |
| motion". You should not expect a horse to understand | | | | Avoid punishment if possible. There are times you |
| what you are asking the first time around, and you | | | | have to get firm with a horse, such as when he |
| should expect a horse to not "get it" some of the time. | | | | crowds your space or bites you. But when training a |
| This includes the possibility that he will "revert" after | | | | horse, we don't want him to associate us with |
| having learned something. Constant training and | | | | negative energy or pain. Keep your training above |
| repetition is essential, but don't overdo it. The best thing | | | | board by focusing on work. If he behaves badly, make |
| is to break up training sessions into small, frequent | | | | him work instead of smacking him with your whip. |
| increments. In other words instead of pushing your | | | | Here's another example. Do you have a horse that |
| horse to learn with a two hour marathon training | | | | won't let you pick up his feet? If you go to pick up his |
| session twice a week, give him 15 minute sessions | | | | foot, and he won't let you have it, then take him by the |
| every day. | | | | lead rope and lunge him for two minutes. |
| After training a horse, reward him with a treat or some | | | | Remember-make him work. Don't let him mosey |
| rest. Believe it or not relaxation is one of the best | | | | around, make him canter. Get him to understand that |
| rewards you can give a horse. Horses actually do see | | | | he has two choices: he can stand there and let you |
| work as work, so providing a short training session | | | | have his foot, or he can fight you and face having to |
| followed by some rest by the hay stack lets him know | | | | canter in a circle. Since avoiding work is the preferred |
| you're not going to drive him into oblivion. | | | | route, chances are once your horse gets it he will |
| Teach by having your horse put extra energy into | | | | choose to give his foot rather than get some extra |
| negative behaviors. This might not make sense at first, | | | | lunging in. |
| but remember, horses love to rest and relax! So if | | | | Training a horse will be challenging but by approaching |
| your horse is doing something you don't want, put an | | | | it the right way, with some patience up front, we can |
| energy cost into it by making him work. Here is an | | | | achieve better results down the road. This will lead to |
| example. If your horse is dragging on the lead line, | | | | a horse that is happier and safer to handle. |
| where is he directing his energy? Answer: backwards. | | | | |