11/29/2024
When teaching how to Lunge a horse I always revert back to this science that I learned in Dr. Temple Grandin’s class that explains the why.
It is important to note the flight zone is different with each horse. We could have horses that have a very small bubble that require more energy to ask for forward movement and we could have horses with big bubbles that all we need to do is slightly step into it for forward movement.
Though this diagram shows a cow, horses are flight animals and this very well can work with all flight animals with slight adjustments to body position.
Teach Your Horse to Moove Forward
If you want to move a horse or cow forward, you must apply pressure on his rear end in the ‘flight zone’.
Pressure in front of the ‘point of balance’ will move a horse or cow backwards.
This is a very simple concept.
However, most horse people try to teach a horse to lead by standing in front of him and applying pressure on his head by pulling on the headstall.
Many trainers advocate the use of ‘special’ headstalls and contraptions to apply extra pressure on the horse’s head, nose and poll.
They also advocate the use of a short stick –
far too short to reach the ‘flight zone’.
Therefore, the horse still doesn’t understand to move forward.
There’s a huge amount of pressure and pain around a horse’s head, nose and ears when he pulls back.
Whenever you see a horse pulling back, think about the diagram.
All the pressure is in front of the ‘point of balance’ and therefore, the horse’s natural reaction is to move backwards and fight.
To teach a horse to lead confidently and tie up confidently, pressure must be applied at his rear end, in the ‘flight zone’.
The best way to do this is to use a stick at least six foot long.
Then, you can stand in front of the horse and tap his rear end with the long stick.
The horse’s natural reaction to being tapped on the rump, in the ‘flight zone’, is to move forward.
Every horse needs at least one month of lessons before I even think about tying him.
Please remember, no matter how strong you are, you can’t physically pull a horse forward.
You must teach him every step of the way.
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