Ep 240: The Relentless Execution of the Basics
This episode is inspired by a quote from Leonardo da Vinci shared by one of our recent clinic hosts: "Success lies in the relentless execution of the basics." Join me as I uncover the application of this quote in various scenarios, including dealing with separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a hot topic in many horsemanship clinics, and it was particularly prominent at a recent clinic we had in South Dakota. A couple of horses there really struggled with this issue, and it brought up some great learning opportunities. Separation anxiety is a very common issue, but it is also an issue that can be solved by focusing on some very basic principles of horsemanship.
To understand how to deal with separation anxiety, we must first understand what causes it in the first place. When you take horses away from their familiar environment where they are always together, anxiety is almost inevitable. Horses are naturally herd animals, and they find safety and comfort in their group. At home, they are fed together, stay together, and only occasionally get worked. This routine does little to alleviate separation anxiety.
For instance, one trainer at the clinic had three horses severely affected by separation anxiety. Despite her hard work, the horses remained focused on the others at the trailer rather than on her. We've all experienced this at some point with our horses.
To manage this, I suggest starting by taking your horses out one at a time. This allows them to become more comfortable being alone and to associate you with their herd. If all three of her horses had been worked separately over the two days, each would have had a chance to bond more with her and less with the other horses.
Training horses with separation anxiety can be challenging because it triggers the reactive side of their brain. Anxiety, fear, and insecurity all contribute to this reactivity. At the clinic, multiple horses displayed similar behaviors, especially those that came from the same home and wanted to stay close to each other.
Now, this will sound a bit contradictory to my previous statements, but if two horses in a group are anxious, I actually don’t mind putting them together as long as they go to work immediately. When they’re working, they’re focused. When given a break, they can be separated again. This approach helps them associate separation with rest and being together with work.
For example, one mare at the clinic was very reactive when her trainer tried to hold her steady. Instead, we got her moving, following her nose, changing directions—anything to engage the thinking side of her brain. Horses need to be read and understood individually to formulate the best training plan.
Separation anxiety is not just about age or experience. Even older, seasoned horses can suffer from it. It’s essential to address this at home before taking horses out to new environments. At home, we tie our horses up when they eat their grain, associating being caught and tied with a reward rather than anxiety.
I had a young filly who initially had severe separation anxiety because she had always been with another filly. Over time, by keeping her separate and working with her consistently, she began to see me as part of her herd, gaining security from me instead of other horses.
For horses to progress in their training, we need to control the switch in their brain from reactive to thinking. A horse that is reactive cannot be trained effectively. They need to be in a thinking state to work on exercises and reinforce fundamentals.
At the clinic, one trainer experienced this firsthand. Her mare was reactive and anxious, but after working together and adjusting the training approach, the mare improved significantly. At the end of the day, though, when others left the arena, the mare’s anxiety returned. This showed how quickly horses can form new herd bonds and how important it is to manage their separation anxiety continuously.
Dealing with separation anxiety is crucial for the training and performance of horses. Understanding and addressing this at home can make a significant difference when taking horses to new environments. It’s about creating a balance where the horse sees you as part of their herd, gaining security from you, and being able to switch from a reactive to a thinking state.
Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Every small effort your horse makes should be rewarded, helping them to understand and trust the training process. With patience and consistency, we can help our horses overcome separation anxiety and perform at their best.
