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“Yes! That’s the right idea!”

Training and Learning: Are you getting through to your horse?


I’ve been working with a trainer for many years now from whom I confess to have borrowed the phrase “Yes, that’s the right idea!” When USDF Certified Instructor Gina Krueger first introduced me to some new concepts of riding my horse more from my seat, as I searched for the elusive feel of that effortless communication, I found this phrase immensely reassuring. The development of my ability to feel, respond and communicate clearly to my horse was heading in the right direction, each time a little quicker and more precise. And the inflection and excitement in the repetitions of this phrase were like the beeps of a metal detector honing in on a lump of gold! I don’t know if this phrase is the guiding beacon to each of my students that it has been for me, but I firmly believe that affirming each step closer to the goal is important in every learning process – and that goes especially for the positive and confident learning and responsiveness of our horses. So every chance I get, I make sure to tell my equine partners “Yes! That’s the right idea!”

So, the Positive Feedback is an important training tool. But what else helps our horses learn and how do we know if we are getting the message across? If we ask ourselves “how do they learn? “, we may gain some real insight to “how do I teach him?” Remember, everything we do with our partners is an opportunity for a positive learning experience. Overlooking or discounting these opportunities can have outcomes ranging anywhere from disinterest, withdrawal from communication, or dullness, to insecure, obnoxious or even unsafe behavior.

First, of course, you need to engage your horse’s attention. How interesting is what you have to share, anyway? Children, with relatively short attention spans, have some of their best learning experiences through Play. This, too, is true for our equine friends. So, make sure the learning stays interesting and fun. Developing skills through play serves to keep your horse engaged, while developing a sense of confidence and pride. Ground work is a great vehicle to develop open two-way communication while still confirming the boundaries and hierarchy of the relationship. Non-verbal body language is “speaking horse”. Are you fluent? Does your horse stay with you while you lead without any tension on the lead line? Trotting alongside your horse, does he beam with pride when he stops on a dime when you do? Or backs promptly as you turn your body, energy and intention in his direction? And if he gets it even close to right as you first introduce these expectations, are you quick to tell him “yes, that’s the right idea!”? The value in this is boundless, as you later encounter situations where communication, confidence and respect are going to make the difference of a safe and positive outcome.

Once he’s sure you’re interesting and he’s developed the ability to stay focused on your requests and communication, you’re on your way to building more complicated lessons that he can approach with a sense of confidence. As you do introduce new challenges, make sure to intersperse requests for skills he’s already mastered that provide additional opportunities for him to feel successful and to reinforce your approval with praise. Here are a few ways of thinking about the some of the methods we can use for training and learning

Behavior Modification: How can we change this animal’s behavior or reaction to stimuli? You may think of this as “training”, in general. Changing the horse’s reaction describes many of the first pieces in developing the human-equine relationship. We are not natural partners. “Fingerprinting” at birth is a way of first inserting the human into the mechanisms that lay down billions of years of instinctual behavior, and then allowing that human to redirect some of those natural reactions. The first time your horse holds firm and processes some “scary” information, at your subtle request (and assurance), rather than instantly fleeing is an example of a modification of his behavior. Everything we ask of them depends on trust and is a manifestation of their generosity. Putting themselves in the hands of a being that greatly resembles a predator is a huge redirection of their instinctual behavior. Face it, we can’t make them do anything; it’s a matter of whether they bend to our will as a gift, out of reluctant submission or fear. But you do get to help them make that choice.

Reward and Punishment: Bad name, good tool? I cringe at the thought of punishment, but in reality…..lets think about this. We’re all familiar with the application of pressure and the release of pressure as training aids. In reality, the application of the pressure is the punishment and the release of it is the reward. The refinement of our ability to apply as little pressure as possible to attain the desired response and to remove the pressure immediately upon the response results in a light and attentive dialog. In the use of our riding aids, it is optimal to release the punishment and offer the reward before the horse responds. The response to the aid is realized on the release of the aid. Apply the aid, release it, and see what you get. Can you half halt from your center while making the slightest offering forward with your hand to result in an uphill rebalancing that leaves your horse lighter, more expressive, and seeking the connection? And don’t underestimate the positive effect on your horse of the simplest rewards – a pat or caress, a “good girl!”, or even the relaxation of your body language or posture.

Successive Approximations: Do your best to break down the goal into pieces and explain them stepwise to your horse, then reward him for each attempt that gets closer to the desired response, and then the assimilation of the pieces. He’s going to make mistakes and so are you. He’ll be more forgiving of yours, if you reciprocate this leeway, while you continue to provide more clarification of the objective. For example, if you are teaching a young horse to leg yield – though the basic goal is to confirm that the horse moves away from (or yields to) the leg and the change in the rider’s weight aid, ultimately we are looking for the horse to master many other functions simultaneously: maintaining a steady rhythm and tempo, fluidity and relaxation of the stride, straightness through the body with correct flexion at the poll, longitudinal balance, and the ability to maintain or adjust these qualities as a result of various communications from the rider throughout the movement. It is an overwhelming and unfair expectation for your horse to apply all of this information in one package. By breaking it down and prioritizing the elements, your horse can feel successful as he learns to “eat an elephant one bite at a time.” The basic concept may be introduced with a turn on the forehand, where the aid and response are relatively singular. Once mastered and rewarded, this can be built upon by asking for sideways movement at the walk. The first attempt from the horse may be to take a step sideways, but loose the forward momentum and rhythm. After allowing the horse to walk straight ahead again, regaining these qualities, your second request may produce less sideways movement, but with better fluidity, and the response to yet another successive request may be to start putting these different pieces together. Every one of these efforts should be rewarded so he know that yes, he does have the right idea.

Classical Conditioning: For dressage, this is embodied by the Training Scale (Rhythm, Relaxation & Suppleness, Connection, Impulsion, Straightness, and finally Collection.) This is a progressive training system that results in the athletic development of the horse and the harmonious relationship between horse and rider. On a smaller scale, every exercise used to progress along this development is an example of classical conditioning. The young horse progresses form moving freely forward in a relaxed, steady rhythm and balance, to seeking the connection with the bit and completing the “circle of aids” with the rider. Different exercises will help him develop the strength to push and carry more weight on the hind quarters as other exercises help shift his center of gravity back and lighten the forehand. This progression requires careful attention to how the horse accepts the increasing demands, and the appropriate balance between working, resting, and stretching. Remember, mental breaks and play days are an important part of this process, as well.

In the end, the proof is in the pudding. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these training and learning methods. Listen to your horse, and find the approaches that work best for the two of you. If you are successful, you’ll see your horse progress along the path you choose with a proud and secure attitude, good communication skills, and interested in your next conversation. This is his way of telling you “Yes, that’s the right idea!”



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