| If your horse respects you, he will be relaxed | | | | communicate to your horse. Repeat these over |
| around you and still be tuned in to you. He will | | | | and over for the first week or so. Then add |
| know that you are the leader. If he steps out of | | | | more as you need them. |
| line and you must get tough, he will understand | | | | I'll share four of my "body language" examples. |
| and will not hold it against you. If he encounters a | | | | You can use them or create your own. Whatever |
| potential threat, he will trust you and draw | | | | you do, be consistent. |
| strength from you. You, in turn, will trust him to | | | | Bend one knee and slump shoulders - |
| follow your instruction. You will respect him. This is | | | | communicates relaxation and pleasure |
| called bonding. | | | | Throw shoulders back and stiffen body - |
| The very first step in training your horse is to | | | | communicates alertness. Be prepared. |
| bond with him. | | | | Tap right hand to left shoulder - communicates "I |
| A few things to remember about horses in | | | | have a treat and it's for you". (this is usually done |
| general: | | | | when the horse is on the other side of the |
| Once you have bonded and your horse trusts | | | | pasture) |
| you, he will rarely test the boundary blatantly. He | | | | "Anch". (It's really hard to type this sound.) |
| may, however, test little by little just to see how | | | | Basically it is like a game show buzzer when they |
| far he can go. Do not let him get away with little | | | | get the wrong answer. The sound is easy to |
| things. You need to make sure the horse knows | | | | make. Quick and to the point. - communicates |
| that you are the leader immediately - and without | | | | "wrong answer". I use it when he is doing |
| feeling guilty. Your horse will understand and will | | | | something I don't like. If he tries to grab a |
| not hold it against you. You do not have to use | | | | mouthful of hay as we walk past the bales, I'll |
| force. Most of the time a sharp "NO!", a tap, or a | | | | simply give him the sound and he straightens right |
| shift in your body will suffice. | | | | up. In the beginning, the sound was quickly |
| Learn your horses body language. | | | | followed by a sharp tap or a yank on the lead |
| If you understand your horse and he understands | | | | rope, But now all I need is the sound. It's used as |
| you, you can have a conversation. You'll find more | | | | a warning to keep him in line. |
| info on our website. | | | | After you and your horse have mastered these |
| Learn to give back with your own body language. | | | | body language cues, start adding any more that |
| You can teach your horse to read your body | | | | you can think of. The more your horse |
| language. Develop your own body language to | | | | understands you, the easier he will be to train. |
| make it easy for him to "listen" to you. If you are | | | | Just remember to show him "relaxation" and "I |
| consistent, your horse will learn it fast. | | | | have a treat for you" cues as often as possible |
| Try to find three or four things you can do to | | | | so he always looks for your cues. |