Take an Exercise in Equine Problem Solving © by Gordon Adair

Adair Horse Training Magazine

Education Center

www.adairmag.com

page 4: HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEMS Generally a problem appears long before it is recognized. The rider will avoid a problem and rationalize that it is not of concern instead of discouraging the action at an early stage. Most people do not recognize the potential of a small problem escalating into a larger and more dangerous problem until it is too late. Successful riders do not allow even the smallest of problems to occur without a correction. It is much easier for all parties concerned to fix a problem while it is still safely "fixable". 1. Gaining respect or a higher herd order is achieved by insisting that the horse do everything the rider asks. Most training program requirements are designed that once a rider successfully completes the program, he/she will be successful in all areas such as backing, pivoting, sidepassing, two tracking, rollbacks, etc.. Once the rider is able to successfully cue his horse without resistance, the rider has gained the respect of his horse. 2. Achieving bit control A good start would be to test his horse's understanding of bit pressure. This can be done by backing while on the ground and then while riding. The horse should back willingly and lightly to the right, left, straight, and in a figure eight? The more successful the owner is backing in the arena the better they will be on the trail. EXPLAIN WHY THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING 1. Gaining respect or a higher herd order A horse's natural instinct is to be in a herd situation for protection against predators. Within the herd there is a ranking system to maintain order. Horses will allow humans into their herd if they do not act as predators. The rider must achieve the hierarchy position of the herd and then establish that the two of them are a separate herd. This is done with communication and a good training program. 2. Achieving bit control Horses do not automatically know what to do so we must teach them. When a horse is told to do something wrong - they will. Horses are not able to determine right from wrong. We must teach them. TEST TO SEE HOW YOU ARE DOING Once the rider is satisfied that the problems have been corrected, it then becomes time to test. Test the problem by re-enacting the situation with a friend so the situation can be controlled. Caution must be used not to over excite the horse until the arena work transfers to the trail-riding environment. If the horse acts up the, rider can apply the cues established in the training program. HOW TO KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM RETURNING The rider should become more critical on the quality of his horse's response in the teaching atmosphere. LAST WORDS What I have described is only one scenario. There are many situations that can occur and instead of discussing an excited and uncontrollable horse out on the trail, I could have talked about an excited horse at a horse show, or a horse that does not respond when team-penning. The techniques for identifying and solving the problem are the same. Use this system to search through any situation to find the "true source" of conflict in it's simplest form. Corrections can then be made easily and in a safe manner bringing the battle between "Horse and Rider" closer to an end. Previous Page Read more scenarios on problem solving Where To Begin Your Training

G.A.Trainging / About Gordon Adair / Interview / Training programs and rates / Education center