What’s your training philosophy?

I’d like to think my riding mantra is to have a partnership with my horse and develop a bond with my horse so that there is this undeniable relationship between us. 

Would you like a real relationship with your horse? Then read on.

I also know that it takes a while for this to develop.

Enter my training philosophy.

Ask for less and get more.

But this isn’t really right. Getting more isn’t the point. Getting more is the result of the societal pressures of equestrian-ism. 

MORE MORE MORE

Of consumer-ism that is spilling over into our own personal lives and our horse riding lives.

I think I’ll change that to 

Ask for less and RECEIVE more.

By changing that one three letter word from “get” to “receive” it puts a different flavor in the asking.

I don’t want to get (see what I did there) too pedantic about it

But

When you do a bit of digging you will find that “get” means to obtain,

And 

“Receive” means to take something that is offered.

This, to me, outlines the difference in horse training philosophies.

Those which receive what is given

And

Those who go out to “get” something.

Which are you?

Are you one of those riders who is constantly banging on your horse’s sides EVERY STRIDE (really?) in an effort to get your horse going? Or to KEEP your horse going? 

OR

Do you have the type of relationship, and I do believe it is a relationship, that the horse is moving forward in front of your leg into your hand.

The Key for Receiving MORE From Your Horse

A horse that is happy, content, safe in their way of going is a horse that is going to allow you to receive more.

Does that make sense?

It is the horse that starts the ability to receive. For us to receive. For us as riders to receive what they, the horse, has offered.

It is the horse that creates the energy and movement that we wish to feel.

It is the horse that allows us to feel what it is that we feel when we ride.

To think otherwise is very conceited of us.

We don’t create the movement. The horse creates the movement; the feel; the depth.

We are mere conductors of the orchestra of the horse.

The key for getting more from your horse —

Oh… I should say… 

The key for RECEIVING more from your horse is to allow the horse.

Allow the horse to move, to go, to make mistakes and you as the rider receive those mistakes.

Now I don’t mean go off careening and bucking into the sunset here.

Say for example you are wanting to pick up your right lead canter. And you are riding a young horse or a horse that is difficult to pick up the right lead, don’t admonish the horse for the incorrect lead. Praise the horse for understanding it was supposed to pick up a canter.

Then do some investigative work to see why the horse isn’t doing it correctly.

For example,

• is the horse sore somewhere?
• Is the horse not strong enough?
• Does the horse understand?
• Am I asking properly?
• Am I sitting straight?
• Is the saddle pinching?

There is a whole grocery list of reasons that could be the issue for the canter depart.

This is what i mean by receiving what the horse is offering you. 

Think of it as a gift from your friend.

If your friend gave you a gift, would you say “thank you”?

Probably.

If your friend gave you a gift that you didn’t like or that was the wrong size, or totally inappropriate, what would you do?
I’m guessing you would say, “uhmmmm why did you give me this?” 

You may find out that your friend heard you asking for socks so they got you extra thick fuzzy wool knee socks and what you really wanted was plain white cotton socks. You would, I hope, still say thank you (and then maybe quietly exchange them).

If your horse does something good. Let them know.

And remember, it has to be perfectly clear. It may have to start out with a pat and vocal and even a treat. I can tell you that I was starting to teach my horse half pass, when I reached the track I would stop and reach down and give my horse a treat. Totally unconventional, but it worked for me and my horse. He realized when he had done it,

Or

Tried to do it. There was a reward. 

Think the converse of this.

My horse did, or attempted the half pass, but it wasn’t good. Quarters out, falling on the shoulder, loss of rhythm. 

And 

Imagine if I tapped him with my stick. Or kicked him because it wasn’t right.

How un-motivating is that?

Next time you are out riding, ask your self this question,

What am I receiving from my horse?

What is the horse offering that I could be receiving. This shifts the focus from what I am GETTING to what the horse is OFFERING and what I should be receiving.

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