Question: How do you train a horse?
Answer: You train yourself first.
You train yourself in horse language. You observe horse expressions. Watch them out in the pasture with other horses. Watch when a new arrival enters the herd. Watch the positions each horse is in - even when they are doing something seemingly as trivial as grazing. Believe me, there will be signs even then of the social structure of the group.
As humans we rely heavily on the spoken language. While horses do have vocal expressions, they have a far greater number of physical expressions in their repertoire. You can call it "horse whispering" if you'd like. The bottom line; your understanding of equine behavior is vital to your success in horse training or any type of horse handling.
If you've had horses or been around them for any length of time you already possess insight into how to read them. You have already developed skills in knowing what to "say" in their language to one degree or another. Continuing to improve that skill will only improve your relationship with horses. You will find anything you do with horses more enjoyable.
Horse Training Tip #1: Observe Horse Behavior
Observe all kinds of horse handlers. Be just as observant with how they communicate with horses as you need to be at observing horses themselves.
This includes the successful ones as well as the not-so-successful ones. Of the good horse handlers, bend the ear of every one of them. Learn what the good ones do that works and utilize those skills. Ask them all kinds of questions.
Learn what the not-so-good ones do and make a mental note as to why their methods don't work. Be sure to keep the non-successful actions out of your methods.
Horse Training Tip #3: Tap into the Grape Vine
People talk. Word of mouth will always be a valuable way of finding out who is doing what in your area, who has done some great training with horses and who has not.
There are jewels out there undiscovered. You may have a tremendously gifted horse trainer close by. They may not advertise. They may keep a low-profile. You may never discover them if you don't tap into the local grape vine!
Horse Training Tip #4: Read, Watch, Do, Repeat
There are so many books, videos, DVDs, CDs, television shows, etc. out there regarding horse training. Take advantage of them. In doing so you will likely find one or two trainers that you connect with.
Some training philosophies - even though they are all after the same goal of a well-trained horse - are easier to follow than others. Like horses, we all have our different personalities. What works for one person may not work for another. So look into many different approaches. You will find the one that works for you and your horse.
Horse Training Tip #5: Two Heads Are Better Than One
Find another avid horse person who has similar goals to yours when it comes to horses. The more friends you find the more people you have to keep you motivated. You will all help to inspire each other. Horse training is fraught with ups and downs. Often you find yourself taking ten steps forward only to feel like you're taking eleven steps back the next lesson. Keep going and lean on your companions when needed. They will need you too.
Horse Training Tip #6: Perseverance
Don't stop. Things may get difficult. Your horse may do just the opposite of what you are trying to get him/her to do. Don't give up. If you stop you will never achieve your goals. Stopping is what prevents us from reaching our goals.
If it were easy everybody would do it, right? Maybe you and your horse will need to take a break for a day or so. Maybe you will need to call in an expert to get you and your horse over a bump in the road to your destination. Press on, take heart.
I am willing to bet every horse trainer on the planet has had those days when they'd like to sell every horse and quit horses for good. But most of them don't. They press on.
Well I don't know about you, but learning about horses is absolutely fascinating to me! I just never tire of watching them. In fact, it took me twice as long as it should have to write this article. I kept breaking to sip my morning coffee and watch my horses out the window!
- Happy Trails... and happy training!
Answer: You train yourself first.
You train yourself in horse language. You observe horse expressions. Watch them out in the pasture with other horses. Watch when a new arrival enters the herd. Watch the positions each horse is in - even when they are doing something seemingly as trivial as grazing. Believe me, there will be signs even then of the social structure of the group.
As humans we rely heavily on the spoken language. While horses do have vocal expressions, they have a far greater number of physical expressions in their repertoire. You can call it "horse whispering" if you'd like. The bottom line; your understanding of equine behavior is vital to your success in horse training or any type of horse handling.
If you've had horses or been around them for any length of time you already possess insight into how to read them. You have already developed skills in knowing what to "say" in their language to one degree or another. Continuing to improve that skill will only improve your relationship with horses. You will find anything you do with horses more enjoyable.
Horse Training Tip #1: Observe Horse Behavior
- Watch horses as often as you can. In this way you will become familiar with their language and each horse's individual personality. Horses are unique from one another as any horse person knows.
- Become Familiar with How Each Body Part "Talks." At the end of this article there is a link provided to a down-loadable chart of equine behavior. I suggest you print it and look it over. It is very handy as a general guide.
- EARS - When flat back, a horse is saying, "get out of my way or I'll bite. If you don't move after I bite I will kick" You get the idea. It is an aggressive position used as a warning. If the ears are floppy from side to side, a horse is sleepy and relaxed. When you are working with a horse it's a great feeling to have an ear tipped toward you. That's because this ear position means the horse is listening to you.
- HEAD & NECK - When alarmed or curious, the head and neck will be held high (the ears will be tilted toward the direction of interest).
- EYES - In the "head & neck" example above, if the horse is curious the eyes will be fixed on the subject of interest, but if alarmed or scared the eyes will be wider. In fear the whites of the eyes will be visible.
- TAIL - When a horse is afraid or alarmed the tail is usually held tight, or clamped, against the butt. In curiosity it is held up away from the butt. You will see horses out in a pasture relaxed and grazing. Their tails will be casually swishing at flies.
Observe all kinds of horse handlers. Be just as observant with how they communicate with horses as you need to be at observing horses themselves.
This includes the successful ones as well as the not-so-successful ones. Of the good horse handlers, bend the ear of every one of them. Learn what the good ones do that works and utilize those skills. Ask them all kinds of questions.
Learn what the not-so-good ones do and make a mental note as to why their methods don't work. Be sure to keep the non-successful actions out of your methods.
Horse Training Tip #3: Tap into the Grape Vine
People talk. Word of mouth will always be a valuable way of finding out who is doing what in your area, who has done some great training with horses and who has not.
There are jewels out there undiscovered. You may have a tremendously gifted horse trainer close by. They may not advertise. They may keep a low-profile. You may never discover them if you don't tap into the local grape vine!
Horse Training Tip #4: Read, Watch, Do, Repeat
There are so many books, videos, DVDs, CDs, television shows, etc. out there regarding horse training. Take advantage of them. In doing so you will likely find one or two trainers that you connect with.
Some training philosophies - even though they are all after the same goal of a well-trained horse - are easier to follow than others. Like horses, we all have our different personalities. What works for one person may not work for another. So look into many different approaches. You will find the one that works for you and your horse.
Horse Training Tip #5: Two Heads Are Better Than One
Find another avid horse person who has similar goals to yours when it comes to horses. The more friends you find the more people you have to keep you motivated. You will all help to inspire each other. Horse training is fraught with ups and downs. Often you find yourself taking ten steps forward only to feel like you're taking eleven steps back the next lesson. Keep going and lean on your companions when needed. They will need you too.
Horse Training Tip #6: Perseverance
Don't stop. Things may get difficult. Your horse may do just the opposite of what you are trying to get him/her to do. Don't give up. If you stop you will never achieve your goals. Stopping is what prevents us from reaching our goals.
If it were easy everybody would do it, right? Maybe you and your horse will need to take a break for a day or so. Maybe you will need to call in an expert to get you and your horse over a bump in the road to your destination. Press on, take heart.
I am willing to bet every horse trainer on the planet has had those days when they'd like to sell every horse and quit horses for good. But most of them don't. They press on.
Well I don't know about you, but learning about horses is absolutely fascinating to me! I just never tire of watching them. In fact, it took me twice as long as it should have to write this article. I kept breaking to sip my morning coffee and watch my horses out the window!
- Happy Trails... and happy training!
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