I continue to be amazed by the training methods still being used by some "professional" horse trainers. The majority of my clients contact me when they are at their wits end about how to resolve pretty serious training & behavioural issues with their horses. Most of them don't understand why their horses are behaving so badly - in some cases dangerously. But, in each case, as I slowly remove the layers of fear, mistrust, and disrespect the horses have developed, the owners also make connections about past training and experiences that contributed to the problems.
There is the 4 year old quarter horse who was showing in western pleasure as a two year old. By the middle of his 3 year old year, he had become so unmanageable that his owner could barely walk him from the barn to his paddock - less than 100 feet from the barn door. She contacted me for help after he had kicked her in the back breaking her rib. What turned a sweet, quiet 2 year old quarter horse into an aggressive, unmanageable maniac? Aggressive and confusing training that seems to be far too common. After all, how do you teach a young horse to lope without really going anywhere. Based on the video the owner showed me taken of the trainer showing this little guy, the method used was to hook very large spurs into his belly and as soon as he loped a couple of strides pull him up severely with the bridle (or bosal). No wonder this horse was ready to implode. He is a very sensitive, aware and smart horse. Confused by conflicting and often aggressive messages from the trainer and passive handling from an inexperienced, but well meaning owner this horse was literally frightened for his life. His aggression was all fear based.
The good news for both him and his owner is that he started to change for the better - becoming more relaxed, trusting and respectful - after the first session with me. That session included showing his owner how to behave differently with him and how to gain his respect and trust by respecting his needs and personal space.
Then there is the arabian gelding who went into complete and utter fear based panic - no thinking, just bolting. This happened on the ground as well as in the saddle. One trainer's method for getting the horse to "depend upon her" was to leave him alone in the indoor arena for several nights in absolute darkness. His owner remembers visiting him one morning and thinking it was odd that there were no hoof prints in the sand. He hadn't moved all night! His issues were not resolved with this trainer. In fact, she suffered a broken shoulder coming off one of his spooks.
The next trainer told the owner that the horse was "thinking too much" so they basically had to overwhelm him with stimuli so he wouldn't think. I really don't get that logic at all. I have just spent several months working with this horse encouraging him to think so that he does not have panic reaction to every little thing. He is doing quite well and fixes himself now when he has become stressed about what is going on. He has learned to manage his fear rather than letting it consume him.
All I want to say to trainers who use those types of methods is "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?"
Tying a horse up short to a wall for hours does NOT teach them to be patient. Imagine being tied face first into a wall and not being able to move.
Tying the horse's head around to the horn of the saddle does NOT teach them to give and be flexible. Imagine having your body being twisted into a deep bend and then being tied there unable to release it.
Using spurs to kick a horse forward and then immediately yanking on the reins to stop it does NOT teach a horse self carriage or balance nor does it create collection. Nor does throwing a horse off balance to pick up canter or lope lead. How would you feel if you were pushed forward and then pulled to a stop over and over and over? Or if you were thrown of balance and then expected to run in a straight line?
How would you react if similar types of methods were used on you over and over and over?
Unfortunately, owners have to put their trust into the trainer. So, to all the horse owners out there who truly love and care about their horses, I offer you this advice.
1) Watch the trainer work with your horse as often as possible.
2) Ask the trainer why they are doing what they are doing and to explain how it HELPS the horse to learn.
3) If you are uncomfortable with how the trainer is working with your horse ask them - no, tell them - to stop. Remember you are the one paying the bills. The trainer is your employee. You have the final word.
4) Pay attention to how your horse is reacting to the training. They should be engaged with what is going on and enjoy the process. Although some horses do have tempers and will challenge the trainer, it can and should be resolved without violence. Any energy directed at the horse should only match the same level of energy the horse is sending out.
Your horse should not suffer either emotional or physical scars as part of his training. Training teaches a horse how to learn. Don't let the journey to getting the horse of your dreams become your horse's worst nightmare.
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