{"id":8326,"date":"2020-09-02T12:21:46","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T16:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/?p=8326"},"modified":"2020-12-20T17:32:41","modified_gmt":"2020-12-20T21:32:41","slug":"dont-let-it-slide-horse-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/dont-let-it-slide-horse-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Horse Training: Don’t “Let It Slide”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ideally, when you’re horse training, you want each cue to work every time 100% of the time. But what about when it doesn\u2019t? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, correct responses to certain horse training cues aren\u2019t reinforced sufficiently. Or we get a little bit lazy with the cues. Maybe we just don\u2019t correct our horses when they don\u2019t get it just right. When this happens, our horses can become a little bit creative with things.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever I think about this, I think about my dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog and horse training is surprisingly similar!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My partner and I naively bought two German Shepherd<\/a> puppies some years ago. We were driving by a farm in the country and there was the sign that just said ‘puppies’. Of course I begged my partner to go so we could \u201cjust look.\u201d He reluctantly agreed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were two left in that litter. We couldn\u2019t bear the thought of leaving one by himself so naturally we took both home\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next few years in the chaos of trying to train these two, we learned the hard way that if given an inch, these dogs would take a mile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we let them walk just a few inches ahead of us, soon they\u2019d be dragging us off on the leash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we let them get up from a sit just one time before our release command, they\u2019d get in the habit of just getting up and walking off every single time. Or even worse – they’d just ignore the command altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve learned this same principle applies to horse training. If you don\u2019t correct a bad habit, it will get worse and worse because the horse will learn that he can get away with it and then he\u2019ll develop a whole bunch of questions around that area of training.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dog<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Keep at it – it’s worth it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although it can be a little tiresome at times, you always need to put yourself into situations where you are willing and able to reinforce your horse training cues until such a time that they\u2019re 100% effective. Even then, you might need reminders.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren\u2019t willing and able to reinforce cues in the saddle, move to the ground.

If it\u2019s too complex a task, bring it back to a simpler task. 

Always pay attention to the timing of pressure and release. Pressure to ask for a behaviour. Release with the desired behaviour and don’t put yourself into situations where you’ll tire or give up before the horse gives you that behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try not too worry about being too demanding. That’s something I was doing – I’m still coaching myself out of it<\/a>, but I’m getting better.

Patience is key with this! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is something that you know you sometimes let go with your horse? Let me know in the comments!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martina<\/p>\n\n\n\n