Keeping a good horse honest

Yesterday my friend came by to deliver a chicken (long story) and while we were outside talking near the horses Charlie immediately came up and offered to join the conversation while Pie (unlike her normal self) choose to stay back and did not offer to come forward.  Busy enjoying the conversation I put her odd behavior out of mind until walking back from closing the front gate. 

You see Pie is a attention hound, and she loves people.  She will drive you crazy with "moral support" when working outside, and she actually asks to be caught.  Needless to say I found her indifference troubling.

Then I realized that Pie had never seen my friend or her car before and had assumed that I was about to give a riding lesson.  She has to do it time to time and when Charlie was recovering last fall and winter she had to take over his riders all of whom were beginners, and she does not enjoy teaching beginner adult riders.

Pie likes a skilled rider or someone small enough (kid) that they do not bother her with their aids.  She likes a confident rider with a decent seat, someone who understands and uses leg cues, and someone who works with her instead of holding her back.

Charlie on the other hand seems to really enjoy giving beginner lessons.  A former ranch horse in the states of Montana and Wyoming, he appreciates a rider who only wants to walk and trot if that.  In a soft as butter bit and good fitting saddle he doesn't mind gripped knees, and heavy hands.  He loves the attention though, he soaks it up like a sponge.   

So what does any of this have to do with keeping a good horse honest?

A good horse must enjoy their job to stay honest. 

Any horse repeatedly put into situations they do not like will start to act out.  Pie put into a busy beginner lesson program would probably turn into a very bad horse very quickly. 

Now does this mean that because Pie hates beginner lessons she will never have to give one again? 

No, If I need her to she can and will give a great beginner lesson. But knowing that she hates it and in the interest of keeping her happy and honest long term I will not ask her to give one unless absolutely necessary.  I would much rather have a happy horse ridden by a few than a super pissed horse ridden by many. 

Long story short, in order for a horse to remain good and honest they must like the work that they do.  A unhappy horse will act out and possibly become dangerous over time.  Negative changes in behavior, personality, and habits when trying new sports/situations may mean that your horse does not like what you are doing.  While this does not mean that a horse should be exempt from anything they do not like.  A horse will never excel when forced and unhappy.

Happy Horse = Good and Honest Horse   

 







          

 

Rain and the power of good role models

A good role model can go a long way in educating the inexperienced horse. We had some fun out in the park after our arena work, and came across a park employee carrying sticks on his golf cart. Rain was in front with Pie ponying Charlie behind. Rain sees moving cart/rustling leaves and sucks back and bumps into Pie, Pie and Charlie never move but watch it pass, Rain still pressed against Pie also watches it pass and doesn't spook further. Cart passes and we continue like it never happened. Pie and Charlie kept Rain from spooking further because they did not validate her fear. Had they also reacted, Rain would have spooked further because they would have validated her fear/reaction by spooking with her. Good experiences the first time round make the training process much easier. Chances are that Rain will stand still or react even less the next time she sees a golf cart because of her experiences today. 

Horses like to follow, and they generally follow the reactions of their peers/riders. For example- When out on the trail and your horse gets tense our first instinct is to also get tense/ready for a problem. Because you also got tense your horse gets even more tense, because he thought you thought being scared was a good idea. When riding I always try and lead with my emotions. If I feel my horse get tense, I stay loose and take a deep breathe, while I do have a plan of action if my horse does choose to spook, I expect them to follow my lead and stay calm. 

Lesson of the day- Do not ever validate your horses fears, and when out for the first time try and have a good role model horse around to help your inexperienced horses make the right decisions.