Do you know that saying “It is like trying to fit a square peg in to a round hole?” Well sometimes we horse owners do that to our horses. We try to force our horse to do something that it doesn’t like to do. Let me give you an example.
I have been showing Valerie for about two years now in Class A Arab horse shows. All the classes I enter in are strictly western–western pleasure, trail, and reining. I usually place well in trail and reining but not as well in western pleasure. I dread that class and if Valerie could talk I know she would say, “Why do you put me in that class? I hate it! It is so hard for me to move that way and I can’t put my head up to look at the people…” Needless to say, the class is a struggle for both Valerie and me.
In the Arab show world, a judge wants to see an Arab horse flexed at the poll with its nose vertical and its gaits collected and slow. They also reward horses that achieve all this on a very loose, draped rein. This is not an easy thing to ask your horse to do! My trainers taught me to teach your horse to flex at the poll, you first give your horse a cue with your spur to collect and flex. If the horse doesn’t respond, you lift your reins. As soon as your horse flexes, you release your aids as a reward. In a Western pleasure class, these aids are repeated over and over again.
In the shows I go to, unfortunately, some trainers use a quick and dirty method to train their clients’ horses. They constantly yank on the reins and spur the horse in its side. This intimidation tactic tells the horse “stay in that frame or else”. I have decided not to train Valerie this way, so it may take a life time before her head stays flexed and she moves on a loose rein.
In addition, I believe Valerie hates the class. How do I know this? She is usually a very willing horse who tries very hard. Occasionally, she gives me grief but overall she really likes to please. When riding Western Pleasure, she gets grouchy and can’t wait to quit.
For the last show, I tried something completely different. I entered in classes I had never performed in before–Hunter Pleasure. Donna Synder-Smith, whom I had taken lessons with a few years ago once suggested Valerie might do well in that class, and Shawna, my current trainer agreed. So at home, I begin practicing in that little saddle with the funky stirrups. In the beginning, I have to admit, I was nervous. I felt like a like a jockey and missed all that leather around me. However, after a while I actually liked it. Valerie liked the snaffle and I could keep her in a frame. In addition, she moved well and stayed collected. So in the last Class A Arab show, I entered in all Hunter Pleasure classes and guess what? I did very well! In each class, we got better and better until the championship. Can you believe it, I won the class. Unbelievable.
So what has this experience taught me? Listen to your horse. Try different events, disciplines, or classes until you find something he or she likes. Take it from, working as a team is much more gratifying.
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Photo by Ella’s Dad
