Ep 132: The Power of Being Consistently Correct
Have you ever heard someone say, “my horse just doesn’t get it”?
Oftentimes, if a horse just isn’t ‘getting it,’ there’s a good chance that the signals they are receiving are not correct. Most trainers know the importance of being consistent; however, I often see trainers consistently sending the wrong signals to their horses.
Two of the most common errors I see are: 1) incorrect hand position and 2) lack of patience.
Hand positioning
Regardless of the level of clinic I’m instructing, I always start by covering basic hand positioning. Although some people may look at me funny and think, “Really? Do we need to go over something so basic?” – it never fails that this simple reminder is an ‘ah-ha’ moment for a handful of trainers. This is simply due to the fact that these trainers develop a new level of self-awareness and begin to recognize their naturally elevated hand position.
As human beings, we tend to succumb to micromanaging tendencies. And most of the time, we don’t even realize we are doing it. When we micromanage, our hands tend to elevate. When our hands elevate, the pressure on our horse increases. When the pressure on our horse is increased, our horses have a harder time telling when one signal begins and another one ends.
If our horses become confused about the signals we are sending, they become anxious. And, we all know what happens when a horse becomes anxious. They get frustrated. You get frustrated. And, I’ve never seen two frustrated animals make much progress together.
To help your horse recognize and understand the responses you are asking for, it is essential for you to develop a better awareness of what your hands are doing. Keep your hands low and be mindful of when you are applying pressure to the bridle reins. Being sharp with these signals will dramatically increase your horse’s ability to identify the responses you are skiing for.
Lack of patience
By nature, we want to get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible. But, that’s just the thing–quickness doesn’t always lead to efficiency.
I see a lot of trainers, myself included, who have the tendency to try and correct a problem before it happens. Instead of waiting a split second to allow our horses extra time to recognize the signal we are sending, we try to ‘help’ them along by immediately sending a stronger and/or different signal.
When we do this, it can become very difficult for a horse to identify the response we are asking for and distinguish the signals we are sending. In turn, the horse becomes anxious, confused, and frustrated.
As I remind myself of this, I want to remind you of this, too. Slow your hands down, and give your horse a chance to do the right thing. They are smarter than we give them credit for. Allow them the opportunity to show you.
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