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Showing posts with label horse training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horse training. Show all posts
4/15/14
#109 That Set up for Success Thing
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| Molly - the renegade mule - saucy little wench . |
I haven't ridden Molly for about 3 months. One day, out of the blue, or so it seems, she just decided she is not going to leave the front barn area for hell or high water - VERY frustrating - obviously my patience was at a low ebb - and we had several battles - needless to day say, I lost each and every one of them.
So, I do know one has to ALWAYS QUIT ON A GOOD NOTE and I settled for just a puny 10 steps in the direction requested - when she did them I got off. Did not get on her then for months - knew patience was not a strong point for me this winter.
Yesterday, it was time to get the show on the road. Did not want to but knew it needed to get done and at least the weather was cooperating.
Tried to figure out how to set the two of us up for success - meaning no battles and discouragement on either end (and knew I'd best prepare mentally for the worse).
Hit on the idea of tying one of her buddies up in the middle of the whole area where Molly would see her and had refused to ride earlier. Ended up riding all over for about 1/2 hour including out to the road and out of the pasture - no problems - idea worked - yeah baby !
I decided that was enough for the day and quit on a good note. And, a good day it was.
Set up for success - for both you and your little darling - it generally works. At least I did have a set of brains on yesterday.
8/24/12
#79 Get the GUN !!!
Just go and get the gun ! I can't believe I did this but, alas, I did. I am embarrassed and ashamed and pretty disgusted with myself.
Of all the "whatevers" in the horse world, what I most detest are those horse folks that are "know-it-all's" and critical of those that don't do as they do. I cannot stand it. I find it offensive, arrogant, and obnoxious.
And, I did it. I didn't realize it when I was opening my big mouth but it did come back to my memory as I was riding home from the horse event in my car.
I had met this nice woman, and we were watching some horse person do something or other, and I had the audacity to tell my new acquaintance that I would never, ever do that particular thing that the horse person was doing. I cannot believe I did it.
I CANNOT stand people that do that and it seems to be the way of most horse folks - and, Oh Lord, now I am in the same awful group.
Get the gun and just shoot me !!!
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
8/15/12
#78 Giving Up
Horses are so used to humans giving up - and we do most of the time - which is often why it seems to take forever & forever to get your horse to do something. They are positive they will outlast you. And, you know what, almost all of the time they do outlast you because we are impatient, in a hurry, frustrated and aggravated, and goal-oriented.
Folks think their horses are stupid, slow learners, obstinate, stubborn or just plain mean !
When we give up often, then our horse takes longer and longer to do something. Why ? He knows he will outlast you, that you will give in, and he therefore considers you a "dunce" - you are no leader and therefore you can't protect him. This is not a good feeling for little darlings.
Most folks get very impatient and expect whatever to be done within 5 minutes - that seems to be our limit. And, it is true, when working with your darling, that 5 minutes feels like 5 days sometimes.
It takes as long as it takes to get the job done. It is senseless to wear a watch when working with horses - you are now on THEIR time - not yours - this is important to remember !
When your horse figures out that you don't give up or give in - pretty soon he does things and learns things faster - simply because he now knows you will outlast him - and he might as well just get this done and won ..
Lots and lots and lots and lots of time, time, time, and time, lots of patience, patience, patience and patience - this is truly what it takes from you.
- Your rewards will be HUGE.
7/21/12
#77 Do As I Say - Not As I Do
So, I love riding this one particular horse and I absolutely KNOW he has issues - I have done all I know to help to lessen them but in a pinch they do show themselves again - and I am most always aware of this - as in 99 per cent of the time. However, alas, there is that 1% of the time that I become complacent and unaware and not really tuned in to him. Because he has improved so incredibly much I started taking too much for granted.
And, voila, here comes the crash ! Not one, mind you, but two !!! Two weeks in a row - now, how dumb am I ? Obviously, pretty dumb. The first one occurred because I was just having too good a time ramming around and forgot that sometimes when I want to go left, he wants to go right - which is exactly what happened - at a relatively fast speed. So, I flew right off him, smack on my back, and in front of guests no less! Talk about embarrassing! The crash happened simply because I FORGOT that he does this about 40% of the time and I just wasn't paying enough attention. Duh !
So, you would think that after a good crash like that I would smarten up - but no, I sure didn't. Like I say, I know his issues, he has improved greatly, but those issues are just buried into him so deep and they do peep out every once in a while - which is why I need to ALWAYS pay attention and not take the improvements for granted.
So here we go again - at a nice easy walk, we come upon my husband and two guests and their horses; I was aware that this might spook him a little and I was ready for it, which it did, but then he immediately settled right down - and so did I - BIG MISTAKE - he then decided to get scared and he whipped around so quicly that I flew off him - again - he didn't bolt - he just turned so fast and I, being too darn relaxed in the saddle and paying attention to my husband and not my horse, just went off him. So, that was crash #2.
So, why did I crash ? Because I simply didn't practice what I preach. Almost all accidents are the rider's fault - not the horses.
Hopefully, you will learn and remember what is here in this blog. I sure hope I do !!!
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
6/23/12
#74 Patterns & Routines & Little Darlings
The little darlings love, love, love patterns. You can see it in the pasture where they all follow the same little foot trail they have made going to and fro, they love eating at the same time, going into the barn in pretty much same order, following fence lines, using the same trails, etc.
So, use it to your advantage.
We don't feed our guys at the same time so they don't get stressed out - meaning if we feed them at 3 in the afternoon, and tomorrow, it is at 7 they simply adjust to it instead of fretting - honestly, the kids can tell time. We used to send them into different stalls so they could adjust to change more easily - we don't do it anymore because we got lazy with 10 of the so now they each have their own stall - which, of course, they just love. The point is, you can do it either way.
Usually say usually, never say never and don't always say always BUT most like to use the same trails - over and over and over again - we don't do that - we make new trails and constantly go in a different direction than they anticipate - to keep the kids on their toes, to make life more interesting and challenging for them, and to get the to be more adaptable.
Horses are a bit like husbands - they aren't always too keen on change - and would rather just do the same thing over and over - so it helps to mix things up a bit to keep their heads going and their minds developing.
When doing the same thing is a BIG asset is when you are trying to teach the something new and/or training them or doing tricks, etc. - it helps their learning curve more quckly if your body stays in the same position, and your hands and your other movements - they learn the fastest this way so you have set you and your darling up for success.
So, figure out when to change things up and when to keep things in a routine - listen to them and figure out what is best for them in the confidence game.
6/17/12
#73 More Time
#73 MORE TIME !!!
If you want that darling of yours to learn something in a specified amount of time - forget it - you have a goal and that horse can read you like a book.
I've had write-in's about the time blog -so here is a run-down for you - and you will see it depends on each horse, his owner, and/or the behavior you are asking for.
We measure everything by hours - not by days, or rides, etc.
GINGER - to stand still for her bridle 90 hours, to stand still for her saddling 106 hours - she is now perfect - it just took her quite a bit longer to "get it".
JOSE - to walk, not jig, back to barn - 125 hours and huge patience - he is perfect now, to sidepass 5 hours, to be the perfect horse that he is now- 250 hours (most difficult horse ever but just superb now), spanish march 10 hours
MISSY - not to bolt 30 hours, to stay behind calmly 10 hours, to go out alone 15 minutes, to stay in control in her gaits 10 hours, to go into the side door of the horse trailer 15 min, to come toward me sideways 30 minutes
HENRY - to walk, not jump, thru mud 20 hours, to walk and not run downhill - 2 hours, to go out alone 1/2 hour, to stand still for mounting 1 hour, to ground tie 1/2 hour, to stay behind the herd and not go crazy - 10 minutes to send to the left and right 9 hours
DAKOTA - to not run downhill - 4 to 5 hours, to not eat grass on the trail and have a temper tantrum when asked to quit 30 hours !!! To run in the lead - still working on it - several years now !, to not take shortcuts for home 3 hours, to send to the left and to the right 2 hours
BLESSED JOY - pretty much perfect at the git-go in everything -really easy and laid back.
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| Jose, Blessed Joy, Dusty, Pozo |
These are just a very few examples - the purpose of this is to simply show how the time varies with each horse. It does not mean the darling is slow or stupid or smart and quick -
it is just what he is and how you are able to communicate.
So, PATIENCE is the key here - you just are not going to rush anything until your horse is confident enough and just plain ready.
Take the time it takes, and it will take less time...
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
4/13/12
#66 Mounting
#66 Mounting
It is somewhat important that your little darling stands still when you go to climb up on her/him. If they are moving around, they are talking to you and telling you that they are not paying attention or they just are not ready for you to get up there. So LISTEN.
There are TONS of ways to get them to stand still - the video shows just a few. I slap (flop) the stirrups a lot while they are moving and then stop slapping the stirrups as soon as they stop moving, then go to get on, if they start moving, I start slapping the stirrups, when they stop, I stop and then try to get on. This usually will only take a few minutes but consistency is the key here. Just don't get on when they are moving.
The 'slapping" or "flopping" of the stirrups - it is simply aggravating them and they stand still because they end up disliking the aggravation.
And, once your body is up there, have them stand still, NOT immediately walk off. If they go to walk off without your permission, do a whoa, or a backup, Wait, Keep doing this until they stand still and YOU ask them to move out.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
3/29/12
#63 Playdough and Legos
#63 Playdough and Legos
Shaping the behavior - is a nice calming phrase to remember. It goes with the statement "reward the slightest try. " So when you are trying to teach your darling something and he only does real real tiny baby steps in the beginning - which is to be expected - that is his way of attempting to understand what it is you are asking. It is YOUR job to let him know he is in the process of getting the correct ANSWER and he has to know this UNEQUIVOCALLY.To avoid frustration & impatience on your part - KEEP thinking of it as "shaping" like when you are making something out of playdough or legos - you start off and it is just a messy blob, then little by little by little it starts to take shape. That is what your horse is doing. So that he knows he is going in the right direction he needs acknowledgement from you that he is going in the right direction and this can take any form such as a treat, or the release (just stop doing what you were doing), a gentle pat and short wait, etc. He is shaping the playdough or building the lego thingee which will eventually result in the act or behavior that you are asking of him.
3/25/12
#62 Little Darlings Going Solo
#62 Little Darlings Going Solo
I just put together a video - on helping your darling and you get to where you can ride alone.
Going solo does not have to be done in one session or in a day.
Just, when you have had enough, or your time is short,or whatever, END ON A GOOD NOTE where he is at least as far as he has gone before or a tad farther. Let him rest there a few seconds.
At that point, you can ALWAYS call it quits til the next time.
And the next time, to get him to where he had left off previously, will take a bit less time.
Just keep working it - in no time, really and truly, you'll both be successful, safe and happy.
You are really going to love riding alone.
This is just so worth it.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
2/1/12
#56 Elephants and Darlings
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| Henry & Dusty' |
#56 Elephants and the Little Darlings
The little darlings have an incredibly short attention span but one heck of an excellent memory (if only we could be so lucky !)
That being said translates into "once taught, they never forget.)
Too often we inadvertently teach them the wrong behavior because we just give up and/or do the release at an inappropriate time.
It is our responsiblity to be AWARE of whatever it is that we are doing & or around our horses.
This is pretty tough to do but if we keep trying to be aware, we'll get the hang of it.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.comThis is pretty tough to do but if we keep trying to be aware, we'll get the hang of it.
12/21/11
#51 When you did what you did !
#51 When You Did What You Did !!!
Your horse will do what he did the last time you released the pressure.
Don't forget it !!!
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
12/5/11
#49 Ruts and Pits
#49 Ruts and Pits
Are you in a rut? Do you and your little darling have a standard routine?
If you are in an arena, are you doing the same patterns over and over again? Do you keep running barrels or run barrels in the same cloverleaf pattern, keep practicing the half halt, changing leads, flying lead changes, diagonals, jumping, or always teaching tricks ?
If you are an outdoor rider, do you always go to the same place, or take the same trails, or do the same gait?
Is your horse bored stupid ?
Folks have all kinds of reasons for not doing things but it's mostly because we don't want to get out of our comfort zone....that makes us nervous and fearful.
When you are in the comfort zone, you mostly know the outcome of your actions and those of your horse. When you are out of it, there is a whole new ballgame.
Challenge yourself or your horse - it's great for mental attitude and for courage.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS - Mary DixonSmilla13@gmail.com www.RideNYS.com
11/28/11
#48 Your Horse is Smart - Mine is Stupid
#48 Your Horse is Smart - Mine is Stupid
Many times I'll hear how smart one person's little darling is or how "stupid" he is. It doesn't work well thinking in those terms - smart and stupid - the sweethearts aren't human - they are simply what they are.
It is true that some horses do seem to catch on quicker than other horses - well, so what ? - it just simply takes more repetitions and clarity for some sweeties to understand what the heck it is you are asking them to do.
Often, but not necessarily, it's your fault - you may not be clear in your instructions, or more often than not, you are not consistent in what you are asking, or you never really let him know that he got the right answer, or is getting it. (meaning, you kept doing what you were doing instead of stopping what you were doing when he is starting to get on the right track - "the release")
Other times, he simply needs more time - "it takes the time it takes" - a great motto for a horse person to understand.
My Jose - used to take FOREVER to get something - but through the years we understand each other so well that it no longer takes him very long to "get it" any more. It is a huge difference.
Horses have different personalities which also influences their learning speed. Some, like my Jose, have - had - so much fear in them - that it intruded on their capability of concentration for learning - their attention was split between fear and learning.
Some have an obstinate nature - (a human term) - they are passive aggressive and have more whoa than go - you need to keep the lesson interesting and take lots of breaks or they become bored stupid and just could go into their own little zone. (my Pozo)
Others are incredibly "human oriented" - they want to learn simply to please you - and get so darn excited in trying to get the right answer that they end up doing everything they know & every trick they know, all at same time. (my Dusty)
It is up to you to know and try to undertand your horse as well as you can - he deserves it - he will get what it is you are trying to teach him in his own good time - YOU ARE NOT ON A TIMELINE or you shouldn't be working with horses !!!
You are there to enjoy them and they should enjoy you.
Take the time it takes - there is no hurry.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Mary Dixon
11/20/11
#47 The Slow Whoa
#47 The Slow Whoa
Remember, "whoa" means STOP, not slow down; use a different word for slow down.
Your darling gets confused when you say whoa and you allow him to only slow down or to immediately move forward right after his stop. Then at another time, you yank on the reins and yell whoa because he only slowed down. He can't figure this out. He can't figure out the difference and it is your responsibility to help him out.
Whoa means stop, right now, immediately, don't make another move, not even one step. Period.
You can achieve this several ways but you MUST BE CONSISTENT.
FIRST simply quit riding, ie, sit down deep into the saddle and let your energy go out, ie slouch your shoulders and relax your hands and arms and your whole body. That will become his first cue.
SECOND, touch your hand on his wither directly in front of the saddle - it really doesn't matter where you do it, it is just more convenient there. This is his second cue.
Naturally, nothing is going to happen because he probably is trying to figure out what you are asking
.THIRD, gently pull on your reins until he comes to a complete stop.
FOURTH, Then ask him to move one step or two steps backwards.
FIFTH, - count to 5 or 10 or 15 until you have him move forward again.
If he does start to go forward, just repeat the above steps.
If you practice this and stay consistent, you will have a lovely, immediate whoa and you'll get him to whoa without ever using those reins. He'll love it and you'll love it.
Give it a try - it takes the time it takes - be consistent - if you screw up - that's okay - just try again..
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com www.RideNYS.com
10/19/11
#42 Won't ya just stop ?
#42 Won't ya just stop ?
You need a horse to move and a horse to stop. He has to know these 2 actions if nothing else.
If your darling has a sloppy stop- do the walk/stop exercise.
Ask him to walk 3 steps then ask him for a complete stop. Ask for a walk again, and a complete stop. The stop should be about 2 or 3 seconds long. Keep doing this until he's perfect. This gets him to focus on you and listen to you. And, he starts to listen and wait for your style of "whoa" because he knows it's coming.
After he starts doing this perfectly, practice this at the at the trot and later, the canter too.
You'll be pretty surprised at how good he gets when you say "whoa".
BE CONSISTENT - you want a complete stop.
Mary Dixon Adventure Horse Riding in NYS www.RideNYS.com
10/14/11
# 41 The Enemy
#41 The Enemy
When it comes to the darlings, consistency is your greatest ally and inconsistency is your worst enemy.
Horses don't understand "sometimes"; they understand in terms of black and white, right or wrong. The more consistent you are, the more your horse is able to understand you, and you him, whether it be while training or doing everyday tasks with him.
What you do not want to do is allow a certain behavior some of the time, and then reprimanding that same behavior at other times.
He becomes confused, dull, and frustrated simply because you are inconsistent.
So, make it easy on your horse and on you - aim for consistency in how you do things as much as you possibly can: whether it be feeding him, getting him from the pasture, leading him, mounting, speed control cues, etc.
Both your lives will be more pleasant, fun, and safer because each of you knows his place.
And if you mess up (and you probably will), forgive yourself and simply move on - you can't be perfect all the time !!!
Mary Dixon Adventure Horse Riding in NYS www. RideNYS.com
8/10/11
Tip # 23: Tree stumps, mounting blocks and the splits.
If you go to mount your horse from a block or tree stump in the woods or picnic table or whatever, and he moves away from you as you are about to get on and you're ready to do the splits - this works well. First, from the ground, then once he knows it, from the saddle: use your crop and tap on his hip to move him over toward you (you will probably want to reach across and over his hip to get to the opposite hip ) or wherever you want him to go and as soon as he does it - at first, even the tiniest itty-bitty move, stop the tap. Do it again and again until he gets the idea.
The only way your darling knows he got right answer is if you stop the tap immediately when he moves the distance and direction you want him to do.
Once, he has it down on one hip side, start on other hip side from the ground.
Once he has that down, start teaching it while you are up on the saddle (this is fun). When he learns it under saddle, you can get him to wiggle his happy little butt side to side like there is no tomorrrow. And, he'll be so proud of himself !
Mary Dixon Adventure Horse Riding in NYS RideNYS.com
The only way your darling knows he got right answer is if you stop the tap immediately when he moves the distance and direction you want him to do.
Once, he has it down on one hip side, start on other hip side from the ground.
Once he has that down, start teaching it while you are up on the saddle (this is fun). When he learns it under saddle, you can get him to wiggle his happy little butt side to side like there is no tomorrrow. And, he'll be so proud of himself !
Mary Dixon Adventure Horse Riding in NYS RideNYS.com
7/27/11
Tip #15: Horse Stands Still for Mounting
If your horse starts to move when you go to get up on him, he is either jacking with you or trying to tell you that he is not ready for you to climb up on him (meaning possible trouble). So, don't do it - even though you are athletic enough to do so! If he is jacking with you, then he is not respecting you as his leader, and in his DNA is the requirement that he finds a strong leader to follow and protect him. So, now you have to do YOUR JOB !
I have never seen this not work - (about 30 horses with horrible mounting habits). The second your foot goes toward the stirrup or you grab the mane to mount, and he starts to move, keep foot out of stirrup and send him in a circle to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right. Make him work. Cause the wrong thing to be uncomfortable. Or bang the stirrups against his side or pound on the top of the saddle - and the SECOND he stops moving, you stop banging or pounding. Go to get up. He moves - do the above over, Get up - he moves, do the above over. Go to get up, he moves- do the above over. He will stand still eventually in about 5 or 10 min max) It just requires persistence on your part. Once he is still and you climb up on him, STAY still - do not go forward - teach him to wait. If he moves forward, move him backward.
Consistency - you will have to do this ALL THE TIME now or you will screw him up.
All of our darlings (13 of them) stand still for saddling (we do not tie them) and for mounting. They don't move because it is easier for them to be quiet than getting annoyed with flapping stirrups and/or thumping on top of the saddle. .
When you have some time and are not in a hurry, try this - you'll be impressed.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS RideNYS.com
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| Mounting Horse who is not Moving - |
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| Guest Saddling without Tying |
7/24/11
Tip: Happy Horses
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