Posts Tagged ‘Building Confidence’

I am having a little problem. There is this horse that I have been working with for a long time period now, and he is a one person horse. When I am not riding him I feel like I can do anything, but when I get on him I feel scared. How do I work on building my confidence with the horse?

Is your horse comfortable with you on his right side? Can you mount from either side with your horse standing quietly? Can you lead him from either side? Is he comfortable with new things approaching him from his right side? Even if he is comfortable with almost everything on his right side, you still need to practice all of your training exercises both sides. This way he maintains his confidence level and his trust in your relationship.

If your horse is not comfortable with one or more of the above mentioned exercises, then you need to raise both his level of confidence and trust in you. I will give you some exercises that you can use to raise your horse’s confidence level, starting with ground work. Since groundwork is the foundation for all training that is where we will start. By building his confidence on the ground you carry that same level of confidence into the saddle.

First off, start your work session like any other session. I recommend lunging or free lunging your horse for about 10-15 minutes prior to starting a work session. This will allow you to read your horse and assess his mental attitude.

Now that you have lunged your horse it is time for the work session.

Suggested list of items you can use for the work session:

cotton balls
Pringles can (or other container to add rocks or other noisy items to)
western saddle blanket/ large bath towel
“carrot” stick or short lunge whip
plastic grocery bag (to tie to “carrot stick”/ short whip)
tarp
umbrella
hula hoops
paper cups
large ball (like an exercise ball)
party streamers
any other item that may raise your horses level of excitement

The above list is just to get you started. Be creative and incorporate other items that could cause your horse to become nervous or anxious. Please keep SAFETY in mind when introducing new items, if you do NOT think that it will be safe then do NOT use it. The purpose of this exercise is to raise your horse’s level of confidence as well as build a stronger relationship. You need to introduce items that you know can make your horse nervous. However, as the exercise becomes a routine he will gradually lose his nervousness with an item and his confidence will improve. Pretty soon you will have a very confident horse that is not bothered by “scary” things.

To start this you will need your horse to have a halter and a lead, with the lead attached. Now you want to introduce an item off the list (or one that you came up with). The first item that I would introduce would be a smaller item, or one that would cause the LEAST amount of excitement. This is meant to build trust not force trust.

To introduce a new item, go ahead and pick it up (I like to have all of the items ready to grab in the arena with me, usually laying on the ground in the middle). Show it to your horse and let him look at it and sniff if for a minute or so. When he is relaxed and not excited you can take the item and touch it to your horse. I like to start on the left side, since this is usually the side that most riders and horses are at their highest level of comfort. Start by touching him on his shoulder area. If he remains calm then proceed to rub him along his back, up his neck, and on the side and top of his haunches *use caution anytime you are close to the hind end, remember any horse has to potential to kick*. If he remains calm with you touching him with the item on his left side, then proceed to his right side. Again let him see the item and smell it. Then you can proceed to touch his shoulder area with the item. If he remains calm you can proceed to rub him along his back, up his neck, on the side and top of his haunches *use caution anytime you are close to the hind end, remember any horse has to potential to kick*. Add plenty of praise for any positive behavior.

Lets increase the level of difficulty and add another item, one that is “scarier” that the last object. For example lets add the Pringles can that contains rocks. This is not a common object that we encounter in riding, so it may cause your horse to be anxious especially because it makes strange sounds.

Start again by allowing your horse to see the object and smell it. After he has done this and is relaxed, shake it lightly and add some noise. If your horse backs up or tries to leave, stop the noise, and calmly let him to see the can again. Allow him to see that the can will NOT eat him. Once his excitement level has come back down, let him sniff the can again. Then proceed to make the light shaking noise again. If he is calm with the noise you can try touching it to his left shoulder. Start by touching him on his shoulder area. If he remains calm you can proceed to rub him along his back, up his neck, on the side and top of his haunches *use caution anytime you are close to the hind end, remember any horse has to potential to kick*. If he remains calm with you touching him with the item on his left side, then proceed to his right side. Again let him see the item and smell it. Then you can proceed to touch his shoulder area with the item. If he remains calm you can rub him along his back, up his neck, on the side and top of his haunches *use caution anytime you are close to the hind end, remember any horse has to potential to kick*. Add plenty of praise for any positive behavior.

It could take over 500 repetitions of the same boring exercise with the same object. You could stand in the arena for 45 minutes every day for the next 3 weeks until your horse has enough confidence and trust in you to allow you to touch him with a “scary” object/ item. Do NOT LET THIS DISCOURAGE you.

The best training is BORING to watch. Horses learn through consistency and boring repetition. Training should not have your horse bouncing off the walls and hanging from the rafters. These are signs that your horse does not understand what is being asked of him and that it is causing him to be fearful. You cannot build a relationship on trust if there is fear present.

Every horse will set his own pace with training. Some will progress faster while others take soooo long that you want to quit. The end result will be a horse that is completely confident in his relationship with you as well as having complete trust in you. The bond you will solidify will be unbreakable.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and always send me any questions that you may have.

Editor’s Note: Based in Sugar Grove IL, Sara McKiness is a Certified Horse Trainer who helps riders improve their communication with horses without punishment. She graduated valedictorian from Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center (MMIEC) where she majored in teaching and training, and minored in Farrier Science.

Horse Logic 2009

http://www.saddle-logic.com Fheonix Soft Treed Saddles

Classical Dressage, Western, and Hunt Seat Lessons. Come ride exceptional & experienced lesson horses. Based in Sugar Grove IL with travel to your facility available. Learn better communication with your horse & build your relationship. Fully insured with over 19 years riding experience. Contact Sara for more information 630-631-2746

Sara McKiness
Horse Logic
Sugar Grove, IL
630-631-2746
http://www.horselogic.net

Author: Sara McKiness
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Lowest Price Prototype PCB Assembly

Clicker training has over the years become a very popular and widespread training method for horses, however like all methods it has its benefits and shortcomings. We took a look at clicker training and what you would need to know before undertaking this type of training with your horse.

What is clicker training?
Clicker training originates from animal actor training and trainers. It is used to train animals to hit their marks and to combine required movements, gestures and actions as required by the director. It is a very powerful training tool when used correctly and can cause numerous complications if applied incorrectly.

Uses for clicker training
Clicker training for the owner is useful for encouraging the horse to perform and focus better. The clicker is used to notify the horse that it has done well, or has done what is needed. Thus building confidence in the horse, strengthening the relationship between horse and owner, both of these resulting in a more willing horse. (And hopefully a happier owner)

Clicker training from a horses’ point of few is clearer than most other methods. Horses are very compliant in nature and will willingly work hard for praise and reward. With clicker training there is a definite conformation (clicker clicking) when the horse has done correctly. It then understands that it has done well and develops confidence in its abilities to do things correctly.

In most instances clicker training has proved useful in correcting problems or fears that a horse may experience, or have acquired whilst in training.

How does it work?
The clicker is a little handheld box containing a metal clicker that when pushed down makes a clicking sound. To start off the trainer is armed with this clicker, a touching rod and treats (carrots, cut up apples, whatever the horse likes). At the starting phase the horse is trained to touch the rod, on touching the clicker is clicked and the horse given a treat, thus the reward for good or desired behaviour is installed. Most horses catch on very quick, and learn to look for the rod as finding it and touching it brings rewards. Initially the food is associated as the reward, later only the clicker is required.

Is my horse suitable?
Most horses are suited to clicker training, as most horses are willing to work on this system, some horses even excel. These horses are considered natural animal actors, being able to pick up a queue and to progressively work through a series of steps with minimal time spent on training.

However there are some horses that should not be clicker trained. Of these, horses with bullying natures are at the top of the list. And by bullying we don’t mean biting and kicking, we’re talking about a horse that has little respect for ones space or that is willing to walk over you if needed.

Because clicker training is done on a reward system it is important that your horse be willing to comply before getting a treat. Horses with bullying natures do little and want everything, so for your own safety and sanity do not attempt to do clicker training with one of these.

The benefits for your horse
It allows for the development of a trusting relationship between horse and owner or trainer,
Horse will become more confidant and be more willing to work,
Horse will become more attentive and focused as its confidence grows,
Horse will become more willing as the training is progressive,
Horse will be capable of overcoming its fears as it focuses more on what is asked.

The benefits to you the owner
You will become a more confidant handler,
You will understand the use of progressive training and that things are done in steps and stages, you will also learn how to break training stages up into these steps,
The communication with your horse will become clearer and less frustrated,
You will have more fun with your horse.

Clicker training is a great way to play and have fun with your horse whilst training, it allows for the development of deeper bonds. It is one of the few training systems around that encourages the trainer and handler to think of what is required, then break it down into simpler steps before building those steps up into the required result.

Or as a movie director would say “I need him to gallop up to his mark, rear up then turn and run off again” and you the clicker trainer will hear, gallop to mark and halt “Click” Rear “Click” turn and gallop off “Click.” The three steps needed to complete the movement.

Simple isn’t it?

Kate Hinton is CEO of ThatHorse.com which is a one stop shop for everything equine. She is also the author of ‘The Essential Guide to Selling Your Horse’ which is a must have if you are looking to sell a horse. Visit http://www.horse-selling-guide.com to purchase your copy today!

Author: Kate Hinton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger