How to Think Like a Horse for Training a Horse
Natural horsemanship has become a method of choice for many horse trainers. In order to be successful at natural horsemanship, the trainer needs to understand and think like their horse. They need to learn how to help their horse overcome his fears, learn how a horse communicates and why even the trainer's body language is important. Learning to pay attention to your horse as an individual will soon have you thinking like your horse.
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Instructions
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Pay attention to body language. A horse has specific movements and stances that will let you know when something is wrong. Notice how your horse behaves when it's relaxed and in familiar surroundings. When her body language changes, look for the reason. The neck, ears and tail are main indicators of a horse's mood. Ears standing up and pointing in the direction of an object or person means interest. Pinned-back ears display anger or frustration. A lowered head indicates submission and a high head indicates anxiety or dominance. Each horse will have her own body language.
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Understand how herd behavior functions. In the wild, horses are not solitary creatures. They naturally live in groups called herds. Herds look to the dominant horse for protection and to the lead mare for food and guidance. Pecking order within the herd is established very quickly. When you begin training a horse, you are creating a new herd in which the trainer is the head horse.
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Situate yourself as the head of the herd. In herds, the dominant horse is the horse with the most wisdom and experience. It is not necessary to hit a horse to establish dominance. Rather, show the horse that she needs you and can depend on you. Many trainers establish dominance through bonding experiences with the horse. During grooming, the horse allows the trainer into his personal space. Other bonding activities include talking to your horse and interacting with your horse as much as possible. When riding use soft cues rather than jerky or harsh movements and, when working in the paddock, allow as much freedom as possible using a neck strap or halter.
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Use positive reinforcement for good behavior. Always end a training session on a positive note even if it has been a particularly difficult session. Take the horse through a familiar maneuver. Horses have excellent memories and are more likely to participate in training if the horse views it as a positive experience.
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References
- Photo Credit horse and rider image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
