07/24/2024
I hope this text inspires you to do the right thing for your horse.
Our horses need us to speak up for them. 🙂
Deciding to send your horse to a trainer is a big decision. Once your horse is off property, you have no way of knowing what is really happening to them or how they are being treated. Here are a few helpful thoughts to consider when taking the leap of faith - many can be applied equally well to finding a dog trainer!
It is always a good idea to watch a trainer prior to hiring them to help you with your own horse. When observing a session; put yourself in your horse’s hooves and see if you, as the horse, would know what the trainer is trying to teach.
How does the trainer respond when what he/she is doing doesn’t work and the horse isn’t getting it? Do they keep repeating the same thing, increasing the pressure or are there alternative approaches if something does not work? Do they become more physical and/ or upset? Remember one of Xenophon’s quotes; “Where knowledge ends, violence begins.”
Is what the trainer is saying (ie. the philosophy of his approach) and what he/she is doing the same (ie. working without fear or force AS LONG AS the horse co-operates) but if the horse doesn’t then the trainer gets rough.
If the horse is having problems does the trainer consider looking for physical reasons, or saddle fit or do they see everything as a behavior or attitude problem.
Take responsibility – for not tolerating abuse and remember that one person’s abuse is another’s acceptable training method. It always depends on your point of view and the type of relationship YOU want to have with your horse.
You also need to understand that no matter how well trained your horse is, unless you also improve your riding skills you cannot expect the horse to maintain that level of training after returning home.
Finally, at a gut level, how does it feel to you? If you feel uncomfortable about what is being done (even if it is “for his own good”) question it in your mind. Can you keep this up or do this at home, on your own? If not, it is unlikely the result will hold.
From a Tellington Method perspective we are interested in educating horses and helping them learn in general rather than ONLY teaching specific cues and behaviors.
If you must go back to square one, or always start with the same thing each session, then the horse may not really be ‘learning’.
Learning is blocked if there is pain, fear, or anxiety. Often if a horse is not able to do something they are described as ‘dominant’, ‘stubborn’, spoiled, or resistant.
Like people, horses have different learning styles and different ways of expressing and coping with stress or confusion. Breeds have been bred for specific purposes and even with a breed there will be different learning styles.
Bottom line: You are your horse’s advocate.
Make sure your horse in training is being treated as you would like to be treated, fairly and with understanding and kindness. Know that if you cannot find a trainer who meets your criteria, you can join the growing number of amateur riders who choose to start their own young horses.
To read the entire article: https://www.ttouch.ca/2020/02/14/finding-the-right-trainer-for-you-and-your-horse-or-any-animal-really/
Photo by Lynne Glazer from my latest publication, "Training and Re-training Horses: The Tellington Way".
