- much more than conventional dressage training
Initiating Change in the Horse
The "problem" horse
Sometimes recognising the cause of a problem is the hardest part even though the horse may be trying to tell you!
How many of these behaviours have you come across?
How many of these behaviours have you come across?
|
Refusing to stand still when mounted / hurrying away afterwards
Being reluctant to go forward Rushing forwards Avoiding, snatching or ploughing down through the contact Head shaking Frequently spooking Kicking back, bucking, napping, etc. |
Sadly they are all too commonly seen when horses are ridden, but they are almost certainly a cry for help from the horse!
So before we add to the horse's difficulties by attempting to stifle these behaviours, some thought and investigation is needed first to try to establish the root cause. It may be one or more of the following:
So before we add to the horse's difficulties by attempting to stifle these behaviours, some thought and investigation is needed first to try to establish the root cause. It may be one or more of the following:
|
Discomfort and/or lack of understanding from poor quality riding/training
Discomfort caused by bitting/saddlery Pain resulting from injury/chronic musculoskeletal problems/teeth/ulcers etc. Stress induced by any of these or other work/management issues |
In the absence of any obvious cause of discomfort, the riding and training would initially be addressed, but if problems persist, then veterinary help should be sought.
It is vital for the horse that pain related resistance is recognised and the cause eliminated.
If/when the horse is given a clean bill of health, the rider can begin to develop their knowledge, skill and finesse. When they are then able to increase the horse's understanding of what is required, many problems could just disappear. More ingrained learned behaviours would take patient, consistent training, but the rewards are huge, for both rider and horse.
The "normal" horse
There may, of course, be no specific resistances to investigate and the rider may have at least adequate basic skills, but knows very well that the horse is not listening. It just might be that the horse considers there's nothing very interesting to listen to, or he can't hear the signals for the white noise emanating from an unstable rider with nagging legs! In either case, boredom sets in for both parties, and under these circumstances the rider could be forgiven for giving up on flatwork altogether, particularly if they both come alive when they jump!
However, with the right help, the rider could begin to assess what is good and what is incorrect in the horse's way of going and learn how to progress the horse's training. As the rider discovers that they can in fact make significant improvements, the horse begins to move as a balanced athlete under his rider and suddenly both have a brighter future.
However, with the right help, the rider could begin to assess what is good and what is incorrect in the horse's way of going and learn how to progress the horse's training. As the rider discovers that they can in fact make significant improvements, the horse begins to move as a balanced athlete under his rider and suddenly both have a brighter future.
** We owe it to our horses to ensure they are physically and mentally comfortable.**
** Then they, too, might be able to enjoy participating in our sport! **
** Then they, too, might be able to enjoy participating in our sport! **
