How do you know if your horse will ever succeed if you never let him try?
I once had my wife’s horse, Sedona, in the round pen just letting her eat the grass around the edges while I went to work on fence. When I returned I could not locate the halter and lead that I thought I placed just outside the pen. I was in a bit of a hurry and I did not want to go back to the house or the barn to get another halter.
Hesitating for a moment, I wondered if I really needed a halter to get Sedona back to the barn. Now I have expected other horses that I have worked with to follow me everywhere I go, and wait when I want them to wait, and go when I want them to go, but would Sedona? Well, there is only one way to find out.
The barn is across the yard, so there was plenty of time and room for Sedona to take off, if she had wanted. I knew in order to give her the best chance of succeeding at this task that I would have to get her attention locked on me and keep it locked on me. With this in mind I opened the gate and drew her attention to me. As planned, she started walking toward me and followed me out the gate.
As we walked along, I moved a little to the left and a little to the right, which drew her left and right with me to help keep her focused on me. I also changed the rate at which I was walking from time to time and she slowed down and sped up with me. Everything was working great; she was right with me. Who needs a lead rope and halter?
As I approached the gate to the barn lot I asked Sedona to stop and wait for me to open the gate. Now, I have another expectation with my horses and that is not to eat unless I tell them to eat. Sedona came through with flying colors. She waited without eating and then walked calmly through the gate. Job complete.
Sedona could have failed miserably, but had I never given her the chance, I may never have known that she would succeed so well. Just think of how many times we have limited our horses by never giving them an opportunity or freedom to try something with less direction from us. I was still there helping Sedona along the way to ensure success, and furthermore I could see then that all my previous work with her had paid off, but I discovered the job could be completed without extra aides.
I once had my wife’s horse, Sedona, in the round pen just letting her eat the grass around the edges while I went to work on fence. When I returned I could not locate the halter and lead that I thought I placed just outside the pen. I was in a bit of a hurry and I did not want to go back to the house or the barn to get another halter.
Hesitating for a moment, I wondered if I really needed a halter to get Sedona back to the barn. Now I have expected other horses that I have worked with to follow me everywhere I go, and wait when I want them to wait, and go when I want them to go, but would Sedona? Well, there is only one way to find out.
The barn is across the yard, so there was plenty of time and room for Sedona to take off, if she had wanted. I knew in order to give her the best chance of succeeding at this task that I would have to get her attention locked on me and keep it locked on me. With this in mind I opened the gate and drew her attention to me. As planned, she started walking toward me and followed me out the gate.
As we walked along, I moved a little to the left and a little to the right, which drew her left and right with me to help keep her focused on me. I also changed the rate at which I was walking from time to time and she slowed down and sped up with me. Everything was working great; she was right with me. Who needs a lead rope and halter?
As I approached the gate to the barn lot I asked Sedona to stop and wait for me to open the gate. Now, I have another expectation with my horses and that is not to eat unless I tell them to eat. Sedona came through with flying colors. She waited without eating and then walked calmly through the gate. Job complete.
Sedona could have failed miserably, but had I never given her the chance, I may never have known that she would succeed so well. Just think of how many times we have limited our horses by never giving them an opportunity or freedom to try something with less direction from us. I was still there helping Sedona along the way to ensure success, and furthermore I could see then that all my previous work with her had paid off, but I discovered the job could be completed without extra aides.
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