Why is no one reading the horse in work?

  Reading the horse’s behaviour and the way in which the horse interacts with us should, undeniably, be the most important thing to take into account when working. Surely it is this that tells us that what we are doing is the right thing for the horse?

So this brings us to the question- why are so few people actually reading the horse?

There are a large number of professionals doing demonstrations on training your horse but very few are reading the horse and most are just offering quick fixes; doing the opposite of what most of us know to be good sound theory.

We know being light, having acceptance and being supple without being strong or having to force the horse is the right way, we know that the horse should be pain free to be able to work correctly, so then why when watching a demo do we accept people working the horse when this is obviously not the case?

Yes, these methods may have some success but this doesn’t make it the best way. Why not utilise what the horse is trying to tell us? Of course it is not only the professionals’ fault, in a perfect world people would care less about quick fixes and fast results and more about the horse I’m also not saying that all professionals are wrong- they offer a way of doing things and there are good ones out there, take Perry Wood for example.

If you think that reading the horse is a radical step I just want to say it really is not; it is just common sense. The truth is when you start to understand what the horse is showing you get better quality, more consistent results and your aids become subtler because the horse is constantly giving you feedback on everything you do.

I’m not saying that learning to read and understand your horse is quick but it will lead to a stronger, more successful, partnership whether you are competing or not.

By learning to read the horse the next time you go to a demo prepare to be surprised by the huge amount of extra information the horse is offering the handler.

Maybe it’s time we listened.

Lisa Pinno BSc (Honours)

 

A message from Vanessa Bee of The Good Horsemanship Society

 Any organization or individual connected with The Good Horsemanship Society is striving to present and teach good horsemanship.

No one professes to know everything but at least they are doing something.

The Good Horsemanship Society cannot vet everyone who wishes to be part of this site there are just too many of them and anyway who are we to judge?

We are all students of ‘Horse’.

Instead I urge you to decide for yourself by looking, really looking, at the horse and not just a fleeting moment such as a photo, spend time observing and assess the whole package.

Ugly moments happen with any rider/handler it’s only a matter of degrees but the moments are seconds long – the time it takes for the human or horse to be aware of the ugliness and do something to change it.

In observing we try not to be critical or judgmental but interested and constructive (just as we would with a horse) – I believe that only the perfect can be justified in judging others.

We are travellers, constantly referring to the map and being prepared to change the route if we do not like the view.

 

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
 Sir Winston Churchill