Howdy Folks! A little while ago I came across a YouTube video about loading your horse on the trailer. Thinking I might enjoy the video I set aside 15 minutes to watch it and found it very interesting.
It proved to be a very well done video. The trainer demonstrated how to stand by your horse behind the trailer keeping the horse focused on looking into the trailer, and with the long end of the lead, tap, tap and tap the rump of your horse. “Not hard, just enough to annoy her,” the trainer said.
“Annoy?” Oh my.
Why would anyone annoy a horse? Oh my. I was so disappointed. And this is a popular video. A bigger oh my. A bigger disappointment.
There’s a difference between “sending clear signals,” and “annoying.” Horses understand clear signals – unclear signals quickly become annoying. And while the horse may react, they don’t truly appreciate – or understand. At this point the horse thinks, “I’m supposed to trust this person?”
Truly, think about it, do you trust someone who “annoys” you? It’s difficult isn’t it.
I’ve never really understood training that suggests making something uncomfortable for the horse produced desired cooperation. Such as outside the trailer is uncomfortable, inside is comfortable. Or if she misbehaves under saddle do circles, or not letting her stop in the round pen, “until it’s your idea,” (I’m no fan of any round-penning, but that’s just me).
All these are forms of “annoying” your horse. And there are many other ways folks believe are communicating with their horse, but are too often annoying. Why would anyone want to annoy a horse?
Clear signals are communication. Annoying, and making something uncomfortable are to me much like the person who can’t communicate without vulgarity. That person does not have a handle on language and communication skills. They resort to vulgarity to fill in the gaps. Clear signal of lacking in skills. The same with a horse handler who suggests annoying and uncomfortable is a way of communicating with a horse. It’s a sign of lacking in skills. ~ Gitty Up ~ Dutch.
(That’s my 21 year old Paso Fino mare who just completed a 30 month rehab with me. From founder, posture, laminitis, and DSLD – looks great don’t she)
