05/06/2022
If there is one thing I have learnt about horses from my horse training journey it is that not one horse can be trained the same as another.
Each horse needs their training tailored to their own individual physical and emotional needs. Over the years I have learnt as many different techniques from as many different trainers and I have watched hours upon hours of YouTube videos of horses, sometimes even wild horses, to learn their language and watch their behaviours.
I have developed my own feel and interpretation of horses behaviour but I couldn’t say I have developed my own “technique” because what I try for one horse may never work on another horse again.
Take this horse for instance. He was terrified of life, no trust in humans, no trust in himself. Perfect candidate for join up… or so I thought. No, join up did not work for him. The more you chased him the more he would run in fear of you. I was confused, how can this horse communicate normally among the herd but not understand join up, one of the most successful training techniques? I had to really get inside this horses head to find a way to communicate in which he would understand. A method in which I’d never used before nor ever seen used by other trainers, a method I may never use again. But it was his language. It was the only way in which he could communicate with me and I allowed him the time to speak that language and teach me.
I’m always grateful to every horse that opens up and allows me into their world. We are so privileged to be able to work with these creatures and the least we can give them is respect. If you hit a problem, the ability to say, I don’t understand you but I’m willing to listen, can go a long way. In return, your horse will say the same.
Here is my first ride on Gus (previously Casper), a beautiful clydie x QH gelding. A few months ago, this level of relaxation was not possible.
Please note, this horse was not a rescue. He was well cared for by the person I got him from but he had some behavioural issues. I have very limited information on his history prior to that to know where his problems originated from. He will be examined medically also, to rule out pain which may also be a cause of some of his behaviours. Horses don’t want to be bad, they always have a reason.
