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There are some fundamental principles which if applied sensibly create the environment where the horse will willingly relax and learn.
Lowering of the Head
The lowering of head produces relaxation and an understanding of pressure and release. The response to the handler's "ask" is relaxing and is in of itself positive feedback.
Pressure and Release (or "Take and Give")
Pressure and release is the basis for all training as well as submission to the handler. The horse needs to understand pressure and release at a core level. Instead of running in circles until tired and letting down, the simple act of lowering the horse's head accomplishes more as horse stays relaxed, yields to handler, and understands ressure and release and it doesn't generate a flight response as occurs in some mustangs and uptight horses.
Bending
Bending is a continuation of pressure and release. It should be applied so the horse finds a safe place when bending to his handler. Once this behavior is established its eventual culmination is the one rein stop, or a horse who can easily be "bent" to a stop when frighted either on the line or from the saddle. The one rein stop is such a critical safety element since a horse can neither bolt nor buck once he had been conditioned to bend to a stop, and this all starts with the first steps on the ground.
Intimacy
Intimacy equals manipulation of the horse's body which produces heightened levels of trust and confidence. No horse can get in into tight positions without trust. This trust begins with becoming comfortable with contact all over the horse's body, then expands to becoming confortable with whatever the handler asks. Physical confidence develops spatial confidence for loading into trailers, riding through tight openings, working in distracting environments, etc.
Desensitizing and Movement
The horse has to remain focused and confident while moving. The key point here is rational movement both while desensitizing the horse to anxiety producing elements or by just asking the horse to move and keep his brain connected to his feet. We call this activity "Forced Focus" since the nature of the handling and movement sets up situations that force the horse to focus on himself, his environment and his handler all at the same time. Such behavior is common during herd social interaction and the horse needs to adapt these instinctive skills to horse-human interactions.
Keep it simple and keep it safe!
Frank Bell
frankbell@horsewhisperer.com
www.horsewhisperer.com
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