Have you ever wondered why a traineršs system works for him but not for you? How about watching a friend use a training procedure successfully and again it does not work as well for you. With determination you review the steps of the procedure and swear that you are doing it properly. So, why are you getting a different result? The answer is, you are most likely doing the procedure correctly in the step by step formate. Why the procedure is not working is because your interpretation of the steps used in the procedure is different. Every training system, communication, or procedure has steps that must work correctly to be successful. These steps are like building a cobweb, each strand of the web must be strong and in place. A weak or missing strand will cause the cobweb to collapse just as a misinterpreted step in a procedure may result in a breakdown in communication between you and your horse.
Each person or horse interprets things differently. It is very important that you correctly interpret every aspect of working with horses. You are your horsešs teacher and how you interpret is how your horse will be taught to interpret. Here are a few examples of things people interpret differently: proper bit contact, light pressure, reward, correction, punishment, etc. How about a quick test? What is your interpretation of the exact moment your horse is responding to a cue? Most people would say it is when the horse moves. My answer is when your horse has decided to obey your cue instead of disobeying. So, what is your interpretation of when your horse begins to move in the right direction? After moving one or four steps into the cue? I would say when your horse is changing his weight from one leg to another to begin the step. Why is this so important? Because the sooner you reward your horse by releasing pressure, the sooner your horse knows the movement is correct. The longer you delay a reward, the longer your horse is questioning if the movement is correct. Some horses may even interpret that the delayed reward means the movement was wrong, thus causing the horse to try something else or become confused.
Gordon Adair is a professional horse trainer and riding instructor with over twenty-three years of experience. Gordonšs specialty is instructing owners with their horses, the philisophy of teaching and communicating. The ability to teach and communicate can then be used with the owneršs own discipline and personality. Visit Gordonšs web site on the Internet at www.adairmag.com/gordonadair for more informtion.
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