(This sequence of posts have been initially posted on instagram in June 2023. Discover me at: #alexandra.kurland.5)
Robin helps me demo the “contact the goblin” sport. This can be a concentrating on lesson that helps horses acquire a whole lot of confidence interacting with novel objects.
As all the time, I’m utilizing a constructional strategy, that means this lesson makes use of abilities that I’ve taught beforehand. I wouldn’t start by asking an anxious horse to comply with a goal as much as one thing that worries him.
That may be like having you contact a tarantula in change for 100 {dollars}. You may do it. 100 {dollars} should buy a whole lot of hay to your horse. You’ll contact the tarantula – actually quick and perhaps you’ll be flinching whilst you do it. You’re nonetheless afraid of the tarantula, however you touched the goblin and bought your hundred {dollars}.
That’s not what we wish for our horses, so the sport begins by having them orient first to numerous objects that they’re already acquainted with and don’t fear them. You’ll additionally start in environments the place your horse feels comfy.
I’ve added a toboggan and a few cardboard packing containers to the barnyard. Robin is reminding us that turning your again on a goblin and strolling calmly away is simply as vital as approaching a goblin. I keep in mind years in the past watching a really daring rider power her nervous horse to face going through a scary mailbox. As quickly because the horse had his again turned to it, he shot off like a rocket. She was fortunate she didn’t fall off. Horses present us how vital it’s to take heed to them and to regulate our coaching to fulfill their wants.
Issues I like about this photograph: Robin is working at liberty which implies he has the choice to go away at any time. Selection is a crucial a part of Trendy Horse Coaching.
I like how relaxed he seems as he walks away from the goblins. He’s following each the goal and my physique orientation. He could also be at liberty, however that is additionally very a lot a lesson on main.
Every thing is linked to all the things else.
Trendy Horse Coaching – Be Inventive!
Good coaching doesn’t imply it is advisable to spend some huge cash on coaching gear.
I’m educating Robin to place his nostril right into a loop shaped from a vacuum cleaner hose. The hose could be swapped out for cardboard packing containers of various sizes and depths, pool noodles held in a loop, and lots of different objects.
How does this allow you to? Take into consideration all of the “garments” we ask our horses to put on. This turns into haltering, bridling, placing on an over-the-head blanket, accepting a grazing muzzle, and so on.
The enjoyable of constructional coaching is you’re educating element abilities that may then be used for a lot of completely different behaviors. It’s a really enjoyable and environment friendly solution to educate.
Trendy Horse Coaching: Be Inventive!
Robin has realized to place his nostril down into many alternative objects, together with cardboard packing containers.
Now I’m utilizing backchaining to show him to return to me from a distance to place his nostril right into a cardboard field. Backchaining means I start by standing very near him so it’s simple for him to place his nostril into the field. Then I progressively transfer additional away from him so he has to take a number of steps to get to the field.
Proper now this can be a cardboard field. Later it could possibly be a halter I maintain out to him. Take into consideration how you need to use this lesson to assist a horse who’s anxious about being haltered. You’re utilizing objects that don’t have the earlier associations {that a} halter has for that horse to show him the fundamental abilities that can assist him to be comfy with halters.
The cardboard field will likely be swapped out for different objects akin to pool noodles held in a loop till ultimately the horse is prepared for halters. You’ll now have a horse who sees you holding a halter in your hand. As a substitute of turning away, he’ll come from a distance to place his nostril into the halter.
You’ve been framed!”
Trendy Horse Coaching results in artistic options and many enjoyable video games!
Robin is placing his complete head and neck into this cardboard body.
Take into consideration all of the methods this straightforward sport could be reworked into helpful abilities. It’s an amazing prep for placing a blanket over your horse’s head. Is your horse nervous a few halter or bridle going up over his ears? Video games like this are an amazing prep. Possibly you’d prefer to experience in a neck ring. Once more that is nice prep.
Video games like this are enjoyable for each the horse and the handler. They usually clean the best way for a lot of different dealing with requests we make of our horses.
Wish to be taught extra? My new guide, Trendy Horse Coaching, is accessible by means of my web page: theclickercenter.com and from Amazon and different booksellers.
