| It's true what they say; it's the little things. Your | | | | the lowest part of the center of your horse's |
| relationship with your horse is built upon the simple | | | | chest. Keep the pressure steady, but don't try to |
| day-to-day activities you do together. How you | | | | muscle your horse back. She needs to respond to |
| and your horse interact while performing the | | | | light pressure, no more than a pound or two, and |
| mundane tasks of leading, grooming, mounting, | | | | back off on her own. If she doesn't swing the tail |
| etc. set the tone for the day. They build the | | | | end of the leadrope (with your left hand) across |
| foundation upon which you learn to rely on and | | | | her chest until she slows down and releases the |
| respect each other. | | | | pressure you're applying with your leading hand. |
| You are always training your horse when you are | | | | Your goal is not to cause your horse any |
| interacting with her. As soon as you walk into her | | | | discomfort at all, but to mimic the "back off" cue |
| pasture or stall your horse is aware of your body | | | | another dominant horse would give if your horse |
| language, voice, your energy, and mood. By | | | | was caught taking the lead inappropriately. |
| making every experience a positive one for your | | | | Stand still for grooming and bathing. When your |
| horse, one that promotes relaxation and respect, | | | | horse stands calmly and quietly, she feels |
| the bond between you will grow stronger. By | | | | confident in and comfortable with what's |
| being aware of how your horse is responding to | | | | happening. Certainly if you're power spraying your |
| you and proactively helping her make constructive | | | | horse with cold water on a chilly day, she won't |
| decisions, the two of you will reach a higher level | | | | be very patient. Whatever you're doing should be |
| of partnership. | | | | respectful to your horse as well. Teach your |
| Put your nose in the halter. We are often in a | | | | horse to stand still while holding the leadrope first. |
| hurry and push on the halter onto our horse's | | | | That way you can correct her safely without her |
| head without thinking. Our horse may pull away or | | | | feeling trapped or confused. Face your horse |
| elevate her head, a sign of anxiety or distrust | | | | when you're working around her. If she moves |
| that shouldn't be ignored. Instead, put your right | | | | away, back her up a few steps to reinforce your |
| arm over the top of your horse's neck and hold | | | | authority. Then ask her to lower her head and |
| the open nosepiece of the halter a couple of | | | | relax with downward pressure on the leadrope. |
| inches below his nose and an inch or two toward | | | | Then, bring her forward again (make sure you |
| you. Use the weight of your arm to encourage | | | | turn away to invite her to follow you and then |
| your horse to lower her head. Slight pressure | | | | face her again when you want her to stay put) |
| from the halter strap that's touching your horse's | | | | and resume what you were doing. Be repetitive |
| neck will encourage her to bend her neck slightly | | | | and calm. |
| toward you. Don't "make" your horse respond. | | | | Don't move when I step in the saddle. It's very |
| Wait for her figure out what to do on her own. | | | | disrespectful for your horse to walk off when |
| That way you're allowing her the time to make | | | | you climb aboard. It can also be a sign of anxiety. |
| the decision to relax and place her nose into the | | | | Either way, it's a problem that needs to be fixed. |
| halter on her own. | | | | If she takes a step, when you put your foot in |
| I lead, you follow. Your horse always leads a little | | | | the stirrup, step down and back her up. Lower |
| bit ahead of you. She starts walking faster, and | | | | her head and bring her forward to try again. |
| now you're pulling back on the lead...against a 1,000 | | | | Repeat this until she's standing solid. If you tend |
| pound animal that knows she's bigger than you. | | | | pull on your horse to get on, she'll lose her balance |
| You lost her attention, and respect, the moment | | | | and have to take a step. Use a mounting step or |
| her shoulder passed yours. Never EVER let your | | | | hone your mounting skills to make it easier for |
| horse lead you. That puts her in a dominant | | | | your horse to do her job right. |
| position, and when she's thinks she's in charge, | | | | Every moment you spend with your horse is an |
| anything goes. If your horse starts to get ahead | | | | opportunity to build a foundation of partnership. |
| of you, choke up on your lead. Put rearward | | | | You and your horse are a team that will always |
| pressure on the lead rope that's angled toward | | | | work best when you're working together. |