So our fearless blogger Donna has come up with a way to get me on the ball writing to my own blog! She posed a couple intriguing questions and has asked me to respond here for everyones benefit. First, I haveto apologize for being off the grid for so long now. Since getting hurt last fall, its been a roller coaster of events and changes for me, some good, some challenging. Being part of the Trainers Challenge at Western States Horse Expo, was a blast and a very positive experience. Stay tuned for news of a very exciting production coming up where 8 of us trainers will be touring together!
Oh yeah, although our own Cruzer began the expo pretty frightened of all the people around, he was a star by the end. Talk about mass desensitization! Our scores were solid and the deficiencies are entirely my errors, not his. In the freestyle competition, the scores ranged from 19 – 49. Cruzer and I scored a 39. Honestly, better than I had thought we’d done.
On to Donna’s questions, quoted here from her email.
<<1. Sunny has gotten really s-l-o-w in the arena and for the first half mile when we’re leaving the barn. I don’t think it’s a fear issue in either case: I’ve handwalked and ridden her out and back over the half mile about 50 times. She used feel hard and look worried, now she just moves stiffly and looks bored until we turn around. In the arena, I suspect she’s bored because all we do is trot in figures, trying to work on her frame and fitness. And I do the Marybeth special 1-2 -3 thing – “3” is now three taps with the dressage whip I bought at the Expo. The taps don’t startle her anymore but they do move her along. I started wondering, though, if I’m dulling her to the taps and I’ll have to escalate more? I mentioned it to Julie and she “quoted” you, saying that at the clinic, in the 1-2-3 progression, the 3 had to be unpleasant enough to be memorable, so they wouldn’t want to go there again. So are my 3 little taps, even if they get a change, a new form of nagging? Or what I thought you said was apply the least amount of pressure you can to get the result you want – and my taps are the right thing? What if I need to tap her more and more often? >>
First off, I agree that fear is not her issue. I suspect boredom is the primary culprit. You two have logged alot of miles this year! Anytime your horse begins to exhibit changes in behavior, you want to consider all aspects-physical, emotional, and intellectual.
You always want to explore any possible physical causes first. Lameness, sore back, tender soles, saddle fit etc. I know that Donna would have already looked into a medical reason, so we will move on to emotional.
I think emotional causes are the most frequently overlooked. We are quick to spot fear or agression, but what about the less obvious horses, those ’get along’ types that aren’t so demonstrative. They often get tagged as stubborn or lazy. Boredom with repetition affects horses just as it affects any of us! Lord knows Ihate doing circles in the arena! Although Donna and Sunny cover lots of new ground regularily, perhaps there is still a same ole, same ole element from Sunnys point of view. Its time to add some variety to her experience. In looking for ideas, new trails would notapply to Sunny. She is essentially a professional trail horse, with her endurance and trail trial work. As an endurance athelete, she needs to be kept fit, so you can’t discontinue her conditioning, but add some different elements such as tricks, or cattle work, dressage movements (NO CIRCLES!) Even explore some different disciplines. Teach her a good spin or a sliding stop and rollback. Push a ball around with her nose or have her kick it along. Anything to provide a sense of purpose and, most importantly, a goal she can recognize and complete quickly. My first choice is always cow work. Seems like most every horse gets a kick out of being able to push someone else around! Specially horses lacking confidence or rank.
Now, having considered her point of view and taken steps to alleviate boredom, the fact remains that she still must do what she’s asked when she’s asked to do it. So let me reiterate the 4 steps of requesting something from our horses.
For the “go-forward” cue:
Step one: Lift your body and energy while looking for her to lift up, and give you her attention.
Step two: Starting from your core, slowly bring your legs together, increasing the strength of your “squeeze” as you work down to your ankles. This is not a super strength, work out on your thighmaster type of squeeze, just a steady firm closing of your legs.
At this point, your horse should make some indication of forward movement. As soon as you feel anything, even a rock forward, instantly release your leg pressure while keeping your body in the same up/active position.
Step 3: If she isn’t offering a response yet, raise your hand (or crop) to the side, as if reaching for something from someone standing next to you. Instantly release at first sign of any forward motion.
Step 4: If there is still no response, give one solid smack on her butt with enough emphasis to make her step forward, then immediately release all pressure as before, your seat remaining in an up/active position. Step 4 must be unpleasant enough to wish to be avoided. Otherwise you are just nagging. This is not to say causing pain, and one thwack on the butt by any of us wouldn’t even compare to the mildest kick by another horse. The startle factor is what causes the forward movement. One swat on the butt sensitizes her to the 1 and 2 cues. Repeated tapping on the butt desensitizes her to all the cues.
Steps 3 and 4 are where Donna lost communication with Sunny. Sounds like you went from a squeeze to nagging with the crop. Step 3 is a clear signal as to what is next and step 4 follows through. Personally, I usually just use my hand unless the horse I’m on is too big to reach his butt. Then, as it always should be, the crop is simply an extension of my hand.
This series of cues, done accurately, will create a soft and light horse every time. It is one of my few “please do it my way” cues I try to impress upon my students. I believe it is the most honest and fair way of asking for a light response from your horse.
The equitation camp later this summer will really delve into this and more.