A horse will tend to hide behind the bit if his rider’s hands are noisy or inconsistent. If it works, behind the bit becomes his default whether or not the threat is still present. This is “Avoidance Conditioning”. We do the same – once hurt we tend to protect ourselves from further hurt by avoiding a person vs. forgiving them, self-protection vs risking again.
Training your horse to work a gate teaches skills that will spill over into other other dimensions of his training. As a horse show judge, I assess and score riders working gates in several riding disciplines.
Reliable brakes – not just for reining horses.
I’ve been thankful for horses that know “whoa” before they step on the reins, unseat a novice, or collide with an oncoming horse in the warm-up ring. A reliable way to stop a horse’s feet is essential when his tension’s rising, and BEFORE he hits flight mode!
Horse show safety tips – more points from an article I wrote several years ago- tips for a young coach, preparing riders for that first show of the season!
Tips for a young coach, preparing riders for that first show of the season!
As a coach who enjoys working with novice riders, I’ve learned that there are as many issues to deal with outside the show ring as inside it. Navigating horses and trailers going in every direction. Unfamiliar sights and sounds.
In “doing” for our horses, Ii a little is good, more is better…right? Expert share top ways horse people can overdo it. Our horses might be better off when we consider they might need less meddling, maintenance, and medications.