Help for horse-riders

The Art of Solving Problems with Horses

Doing things and thinking differently. Riding (Part 2)

Whatever we are doing with the horse, whether handling or riding, we want him to be happy, relaxed and submissive. In fact, it's only when he is happy, relaxed that he can be submissive.

So the question now is - what keeps him happy. relaxed and submissive under saddle?

This horse is happy and relaxed. How can we tell?

She has the freedom to stand as she chooses. There is no restraint. She also has the freedom to walk away, if she chooses. But she doesn't. Why not?

She has been trained to stand still when asked. She knows what to do and she's doing it.

So often, we feel we must restrain, or 'hold' the horse in position. Let's see what happens.

One of two things happens. (1) The horse raises it's head to try and escape, or reduce the pressure the pressure on the bit. She is not thinking about what the rider wants, only of the discomfort in her mouth.

While she is standing still (being a well trained horse!) she is certainly neither happy, nor relaxed about it. Tension is now running through her neck and back - which is also making her uncomfortable.

(2). The same attempted evasion, but a different response. Her head goes down, because it's been forced down - but look how angrily she is swishing her tail. She doesn't like it one little bit. Again, she is neither happy, nor relaxed.

If I held her in either of these two positions for too long, she would start some other evasion, such as going sideways or backwards. She may even start rearing - anything which she thinks might get her away from the pressure on the bit.

Exactly the same principle applies when riding.

Allow the horse to carry himself as he chooses and he will be happy, relaxed and submissive - and therefore willing and obedient.

Leave him get on with what he has been trained to do, and he will also be happy, relaxed, willing and obedient.

Any attempt to control or interfere with his head-carriage and/or paces and the horse gets annoyed or upset. Thus, what he gives us are all the resistances and evasions known as "problem behaviour".

On the next page, you will find something to play around with!