The basic "need to knows" of working with horses.
I'm going to lay out a few of my most basic necessities for working with horses -- old horses, young horses, green horses, seasoned horses. They all follow the same rules and have the same principles applied.
Approach and Retreat
Give to Pressure
Develop a Baseline
Clear, Consistent, High Expectations
Rule One: Approach and Retreat
This rule is first for a reason. It's a horses main tool of communication. Bad vibes? Apply pressure (rope, leg, stick, arm wave, a stern look - it's all pressure.) When they make a positive change: remove the pressure.
The application of pressure should be the lightest, yet most effective amount possible. The most important thing to remember is
The biggest mistake I see with pressure and release is poor timing. Remember: You teach a horse to rear, and NOT to rear the exact same way.. the only thing different is the timing.
Rule Two: Give to Pressure
I teach all of my horses to give to pressure: Up, down, side to side, forward and backwards. The expectation is for them to be light, attentive, with a "yes ma'am" attitude. I start with the most simple version of an exercise and build up.
In being consistent with this method, both on the ground and under saddle, we offer them the ability to grow and change, SEEKING an answer instead of being forced into something.
A horse that willingly and easily gives to pressure makes every day activities (leading, trailer loading, farrier work) easier, as well as management during stressful, or emergency situations.
Rule Three: Develop a Baseline
I am sure to give every horse a “Square One.” That may be walking forward, lowering their head, standing square, or simply looking at me. This is the place we return to when things get confusing or frustrating during the training process.
It is of CRITICAL importance that this “home base” be boringly easy, something that they can do without thinking, and always be HIGHLY praised. Why?
We all need to win. We all need to feel, especially in times of trial and error, that there is SOMETHING that we can do right one hundred percent of the time. By giving our horse this little comfort zone, we ensure that no matter the struggles we find that day, we can always end on a good note.
When my horses struggle and before they reach a breaking point, I take them back, and allow them to reset their brain with the one seemingly meaningless task that is guaranteed an enthusiastic “Good Boy!”
Rule Four: Clear, Consistent, High Expectations
No one gets excused from good behavior in my program. I don’t care how young, old, unhandled, broke, or snorty a horse may be.
Context: my weanling doesn’t get to be in my space because “he’s cute.” My old mare doesn’t get to kick at me when I touch her legs because she’s not been handled much. My dude ranch horse doesn’t get to be heavy on the bit, and my finished horse doesn’t get to be overly sensitive.
I am sometimes shocked by the number of horses I see that don’t have a firm grasp on correct leading. When I walk, you walk. When I stop, you stop. When I turn, you turn. At my pace, without pulling, dragging, rushing forward, or taking a three count in between.
Obedience in the little things makes the rest of the world so much easier to navigate: they have a leader, someone to turn to for instruction and guidance. I have yet to find a horse that doesn’t ultimately do better with a well-structured life than one who’s allowed to do as they please.
They All Come Together
These four rules have formed what I’ve found to be an excellent start to all of my handling with horses. It keeps things simple enough for everyone to understand, gives myself direction with my training, and maintains clarity.
If you have any questions on any of these rules, please feel free to comment or message me! Be on the look out for detailed blogs on each!
Can you give a couple of examples of “square one”s?