1. True or false: Horses be taught from the exact, well timed utility of strain.
T / F
2. For those who’re happening the path on a pleasing morning and your horse is pulling on the bit, it is best to…
A) cease and instantly flip for dwelling.
B) ignore it—one thing like that doesn’t matter now.
C) remind him along with your cues that this isn’t okay.
3. Full this primary tenet of horse coaching: “First train the what, and solely then train…
A) the how.”
B) the why.”
C) the alternative.”
4. True or false: In case your horse is aware of shut a gate working off your left leg, you may assume he’ll know do it working off your proper.
T / F
HOW’D YOU DO? (Solutions under.)
1. F is right. Exact cueing is critical, sure, however your horse really learns from the launch of strain, not the appliance of it. While you launch the strain out of your leg or rein, your horse associates that “reward” with no matter he was doing instantly earlier than the discharge. That implies that for those who’re even a cut up second late within the releasing, you’re complicated your horse and probably even “rewarding” a special habits totally. For instance, for those who’re late releasing the bit strain for a backup, it’s possible you’ll wind up rewarding a head toss as a substitute of the right backward step. (Study extra of world champion Sandy Collier’s “trip sensible” prescriptions.)
2. C is right. Bear in mind—each time you’re along with your horse, you’re both coaching or untraining him. For those who let him get away with mistaken habits, that’s setting an “I’m the boss” precedent in his thoughts. As an alternative, take the time to gently however firmly insist on the habits you need from him. All of the random moments you share along with your horse add as much as numerous good coaching. Don’t waste them! (Have a puller? Practice your horse to melt to rein strain and “give his face.”)
3. A is right. Your horse should perceive and settle for an concept earlier than it might develop into his personal, and solely then are you able to practice him *how* you need him to do what you’re asking. In different phrases, use your aids in a approach that permits him to “discover” what you need. Then, solely when he understands a motion—reminiscent of bending or stopping—must you start asking him to do it in a selected approach or at an elevated charge of pace. (Practice your horse to execute a exact circle.)
4. F is right. By no means assume one thing you’ve taught your horse to do utilizing one aspect of his physique will translate to the opposite. It gained’t. You have to practice each of his sides individually. So, if he can shut a gate working off your left leg, then additionally practice him to do it off your proper. (Right here’s how to start out the lateral coaching that results in working a gate.)
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