What Least Resistance
Training Is

Part Four -
Applying More Advanced Principles
5. Intimacy

Intimacy means getting one's hands all over the horse and not only have the horse accept it, but have the horse enjoy it. And intimacy means just that. It's important to be able to touch every part of the horse's body. You someday may need to clean an irritated udder or sheath and that's not the time to get "up close and personal" for the first time. Furthermore, and especially with some mares, if they are guarding any "compartments" on their body, they tend to remain aloof and standoffish.

Some horses will have some places that are closely guarded. Don't risk getting shoved or kicked. If a horse is particularly tense about a specific point we'll go back through the steps, stimulate the horse's cerebral cortex and get him relaxed before moving along into uncharted territory.

Two hands on the horse
More relaxed in the neck and jaw

6. Introducing movement

Tolerating different kinds of stimulus while standing still is one thing. It can be a whole new game once the horse starts moving. The horse needs to be able to move forward from light pressure as well as stop, yield over the forehand (disengage) and yield over the haunches (roll back).

It's not so important whether these movements are accomplished on the line or at liberty in the round corral so long as the horse stays attentive and moves in a relaxed, free flowing manner.

Coming in for a change of direction

7. Desensitizing the horse

It is critically important for the horse to be desensitized to objects and movements around him, and to learn to distinguish between things moving about and energy that is directed specifically at him. Tossing ropes across the back, around the legs, under the belly, stroking with plastic bag flags, etc. all help desensitize the horse.

The key points here are to work both sides of the horse, back and forth, keeping the horse from mentally compartmentalizing the activity on one side, and to set a pace that challenges the horse but doesn't generate unnecessary stress and guarding.

Relaxed while ropes are tossed over her back

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