by
aprilreeves
on
09/01/08
: Part 5, April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Never let your emotions get in the way of your training either. Do what you have to do, then drop it. Stay away from emotions. Horses do not go back to the herd and say "did you see what he did!! Tomorrow I'm going to get him for that!" Only humans think this way.
If you are out on a trail or in the arena, and your horse goes to buck or bolt, you must apply this technique instantly. Should the horse get momentum and speed, turning his head sharply can cause him to loose his balance. Timing is crucial here.
Another thought: if you are having these kinds of problems with your horse, send him to a reputable trainer who uses these techniques, or get instruction from one who teaches this.
April Reeves is a Clinician, Instructor and Trainer in the Vancouver BC area. She also owns the popular .com: Horseman's U.com.
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by
aprilreeves
on
09/01/08
: Part 4, April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Once you feel comfortable with that, try it at a canter. If your horse canters quickly, keep trying the exercise at a trot.
What you want to accomplish here is to have the horse 'shut down' the instant he feels his head being pulled around tightly. Once you have established the horse stopping, softening and shutting down, you are on the road to keeping a horse from bucking.
I do this every day the minute I get on the horse. I also do this to establish bend and lateral flexion.
Never speak while you are doing these exercises. The horse must learn to take the responsibility for his bad behavior, and you speaking only gets in the way of his learning. If he does his bending exercises well, I will rub him on the neck. I speak very little while riding as horses 'speak' to each other by actions and emotions.
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