Why is no one reading the horse in work?
Reading the horse’s behaviour and the way in which the horse interacts with us should, undeniably, be the most important thing to take into account when working. Surely it is this that tells us that what we are doing is the right thing for the horse?
So this brings us to the question- why are so few people actually reading the horse?
There are a large number of professionals doing demonstrations on training your horse but very few are reading the horse and most are just offering quick fixes; doing the opposite of what most of us know to be good sound theory.
We know being light, having acceptance and being supple without being strong or having to force the horse is the right way, we know that the horse should be pain free to be able to work correctly, so then why when watching a demo do we accept people working the horse when this is obviously not the case?
Yes, these methods may have some success but this doesn’t make it the best way. Why not utilise what the horse is trying to tell us? Of course it is not only the professionals’ fault, in a perfect world people would care less about quick fixes and fast results and more about the horse I’m also not saying that all professionals are wrong- they offer a way of doing things and there are good ones out there, take Perry Wood for example.
If you think that reading the horse is a radical step I just want to say it really is not; it is just common sense. The truth is when you start to understand what the horse is showing you get better quality, more consistent results and your aids become subtler because the horse is constantly giving you feedback on everything you do.
I’m not saying that learning to read and understand your horse is quick but it will lead to a stronger, more successful, partnership whether you are competing or not.
By learning to read the horse the next time you go to a demo prepare to be surprised by the huge amount of extra information the horse is offering the handler.
Maybe it’s time we listened.
Lisa Pinno BSc (Honours)
Reading the horse’s behaviour and the way in which the horse interacts with us should, undeniably, be the most important thing to take into account when working. Surely it is this that tells us that what we are doing is the right thing for the horse?
So this brings us to the question- why are so few people actually reading the horse?
There are a large number of professionals doing demonstrations on training your horse but very few are reading the horse and most are just offering quick fixes; doing the opposite of what most of us know to be good sound theory.
We know being light, having acceptance and being supple without being strong or having to force the horse is the right way, we know that the horse should be pain free to be able to work correctly, so then why when watching a demo do we accept people working the horse when this is obviously not the case?
Yes, these methods may have some success but this doesn’t make it the best way. Why not utilise what the horse is trying to tell us? Of course it is not only the professionals’ fault, in a perfect world people would care less about quick fixes and fast results and more about the horse I’m also not saying that all professionals are wrong- they offer a way of doing things and there are good ones out there, take Perry Wood for example.
If you think that reading the horse is a radical step I just want to say it really is not; it is just common sense. The truth is when you start to understand what the horse is showing you get better quality, more consistent results and your aids become subtler because the horse is constantly giving you feedback on everything you do.
I’m not saying that learning to read and understand your horse is quick but it will lead to a stronger, more successful, partnership whether you are competing or not.
By learning to read the horse the next time you go to a demo prepare to be surprised by the huge amount of extra information the horse is offering the handler.
Maybe it’s time we listened.
Lisa Pinno BSc (Honours)
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