"Ask for much, be content with little and reward often."
Captain Beudant.
How quick are you to reward your horse at the slightest indication of obedience?
How quick are you to punish your horse at the slightest indication of disobedience?
Sadly, it is easier to punish the horse than it is to reward and I for one want to make a conscience effort to try and change that. We should give the horse no reason to want to resist us but to work with us as a partnership and in harmony together.
Sadly, it is easier to punish the horse than it is to reward and I for one want to make a conscience effort to try and change that. We should give the horse no reason to want to resist us but to work with us as a partnership and in harmony together.
The majority of problems come down to the communication from rider to horse being unclear, leaving the horse to decide what their rider is asking them to do. If they choose the wrong reaction, they are punished for it. The rider can also unknowingly punish the horse for doing the right thing too. This is where we as rider's need to be more in control and aware of our own bodies.
It is our responsibility to be thoughtful, disciplined, respectful and consistent in how we handle or ride our horses. A horse is learning something every time we are with them and if we are not consistent this will give the horse mixed signals which can lead to problems.
The horse learns through trial, error and repetition.
Training your horse to become responsive is the first step. A responsive horse will become supple and well balanced easier than a horse who is resistant to your aids. How to teach your horse to become more responsive? By rewarding him. Reward is a powerful tool.
A common problem is a horse who has become less responsive to the rider's leg. This is the result of the rider not being disciplined with their application of leg aids. Less really is more. The less and more correctly you apply the leg aid, the more responsive your horse will become. The more you use and nag your horse with your legs, the more unresponsive he'll become. Excessive use of aids when they are not necessary is punishment to the horse, just like continually riding the same circle in the school is punishment to your horse.
A way to improve your horse's responsiveness is to go back to the foundation and start with a few halt to walk transitions using the release of pressure from the aid as his reward. Ensure your horse is listening to you in the halt in preparation of the forward transition to walk. Then 'hug' him with the inside of your calves, allow time for the horse to process and respond by moving into the walk. As soon as your horse moves forward the aid should be ceased instantly, this is his reward for responding to you. If there is no response after a second or two then reapply the aid with more volume, again, as soon as he responds, release the pressure to reward him. Keep repeating until your horse is responding to the slightest pressure. You should start to feel like your doing less but your horse is giving you more in return. Remember: less is more. You can then progress on to walk to trot transitions and so on.
Training your horse to become responsive is the first step. A responsive horse will become supple and well balanced easier than a horse who is resistant to your aids. How to teach your horse to become more responsive? By rewarding him. Reward is a powerful tool.
A common problem is a horse who has become less responsive to the rider's leg. This is the result of the rider not being disciplined with their application of leg aids. Less really is more. The less and more correctly you apply the leg aid, the more responsive your horse will become. The more you use and nag your horse with your legs, the more unresponsive he'll become. Excessive use of aids when they are not necessary is punishment to the horse, just like continually riding the same circle in the school is punishment to your horse.
A way to improve your horse's responsiveness is to go back to the foundation and start with a few halt to walk transitions using the release of pressure from the aid as his reward. Ensure your horse is listening to you in the halt in preparation of the forward transition to walk. Then 'hug' him with the inside of your calves, allow time for the horse to process and respond by moving into the walk. As soon as your horse moves forward the aid should be ceased instantly, this is his reward for responding to you. If there is no response after a second or two then reapply the aid with more volume, again, as soon as he responds, release the pressure to reward him. Keep repeating until your horse is responding to the slightest pressure. You should start to feel like your doing less but your horse is giving you more in return. Remember: less is more. You can then progress on to walk to trot transitions and so on.
Riders often make the mistake of thinking that they need to continually use the leg to keep the horse moving forward, this is why they become unresponsive. Your aids should only be used when they are actually needed, for example, if the walk should decrease, the aid can be applied to ask the horse to move forward again, but remember to reward the moment you have a response. As long as the rider remains disciplined through the repetition process, the more responsive and the lighter the pressure will be needed to ask the horse to go forward. It's that simple. The hardest part is getting the timing right and more importantly, being consistent with your riding language. Do not punish him if there is no immediate response, just make yourself heard a little more. Be clear.
As riders, we need to explain to the horse what is correct (by rewarding) or incorrect (by correction). It is black and white. It is also beneficial to bear in mind during your next schooling session how important it is to leave your horse still feeling fresh and with a good impression of the work asked of him previously. The rider's demands should never be in excess as this is of no value for the horse and will only leave him with a bad impression for the next session. There is no gain from this. I believe your horse should enjoy their work, if they do, they will offer you so much in return.
"The talented rider who is tactful will reward the slightest indication of obedience on the part of his horse, who will respond calmly, confidently and pleasurably to any further demand."
Nuno Oliveira
