Post by Admin on Dec 10, 2015 6:54:01 GMT -7
If anybody is wondering what my beliefs are:
-No ventriloquism. Ventriloquism is defined by NHE as: speaking on behalf of the horse, assuming his feelings based on interpretation of his reactions to given stimuli. The trouble with ventriloquism is that our judgment can be clouded by underlying desires or erroneous beliefs. Even with years of practice and observation, the subtlest expressions of a horse may remain subject to interpretation, horses emotions having no exact analogies with those of humans.
-No stalling, unless it's too cold for the horse to be outside. And no, 30-40 degrees isn't cold. I mean, if the horse is shaking, put a blanket on. Still cold? Take the horse inside. At night time, it can even be a bad thing as well. This is because horses sleep for around 2 hours per day, split up into 15 minute intervals. So while you are inside sleeping for 8-9 hours, your horse is standing in his own feces and urine during that time, sleeping minimally.
-No bits, hackamores, spurs, pain tools, etc. You may use a flat, nylon halter for leading and if necessary in training. You can also use a saddle, if your horse wants to. Destiny for example, hates bareback and hates English saddles. Even though I'd rather ride bareback, I'll respect her and ride in a Western saddle.
-Play is a necessity for a strong bond! You can think of play as being anything... Running with your horse, playing with a ball, targeting, going over tarps and obstacle courses, etc. Anything that involves exploration, curiosity, or playful movements is a form of play. And horses love it!
-Relaxation is also a necessity. If your horse doesn't feel like playing, don't just ditch him because he doesn't want to play... Relax with him. Spend time talking and scratching him in his favorite places.
-No shoeing. It is bad for the hooves. Causes them chronic pain, loses blood circulation, and doesn't allow the hoof to flex.
-The only ways a whip can be used is either as an extension of your arm for giving cues, or if your horse needs correction. Such as, if you're working with a horse that attacks you. I've worked with one that I've had to discipline. He reared up on me several times, striking out with front hooves, all the while trying to bite my hair. Then he turned around and began bucking at me. I whacked him as hard as I could on his hindquarters. A kick can kill me. There was an 8 year old girl recently who died from a horse kick. As well as many in the past who have died from horse kicks as well. A whip can only be used as correction when needed for aggression. Some people whip if the horse won't pick up a hoof or if a horse won't stand for saddling. This is just cruel. Only use it as a correction if your safety is on the line. All other times it is an aid.
-Only a flat, nylon halter may be used. Liberty is strongly encouraged. But if you have a problem you need to work out using a halter, you can do that as well. Such as getting a horse over anxiety, leading for vet visits, etc. Or if you need to get your horse over a specific problem and R+ hasn't been working for you. But, it should also simply be used as a training tool when needed. Any other time it's important only to use it when leading to one enclosure to another, for safety reasons. For example, mowed grass is toxic for horses to eat. You'd want to have something on their head if you're walking past mowed grass. Or if there's spilled grain on the ground... You need to pull their head away, since you don't know what's in that grain! Or you have a sticky trap hanging up (a lot of people at my barn hang them up in barns to catch flies) and your horse goes to sniff it. Quickly jerk his head away or he'll get his nose caught in it. Without a halter while leading, accidents can happen.
-Treat the horse with utmost respect.
-Treats are allowed. I hear of many different training techniques where treats are not allowed, or even discouraged. Many people look at them as bribery, or think it makes horses become mean. But treat-giving is a way to spend time with a horse. If you go hang out with a friend, food will likely be involved. Either a snack at their house or you'll go out to eat. Or popcorn in a movie theater. Food is a regular part of hanging out with a friend. Horses eat together in the pasture as well. If you take them out and you two are just standing there together, offer your horse a treat. He'll enjoy it. It's also a good reward in training. R- trainers don't need to use treats, since the reward is the removal of an aversive. R+ trainers need a good positive reward since they don't have anything aversive to the horse, so there is nothing to remove. This is often petting or treats.
-Have fun! Too many people are always busy trying to get something done or achieve something, so they forget to have fun with their horse! One of my main mottos is... Have fun! If my horse is having fun, and I'm having fun, all is good
It's okay to set goals, but don't set expectations. Because if your horse doesn't meet those expectations, you'll be disappointed in him and you and him won't have fun together.
-No ventriloquism. Ventriloquism is defined by NHE as: speaking on behalf of the horse, assuming his feelings based on interpretation of his reactions to given stimuli. The trouble with ventriloquism is that our judgment can be clouded by underlying desires or erroneous beliefs. Even with years of practice and observation, the subtlest expressions of a horse may remain subject to interpretation, horses emotions having no exact analogies with those of humans.
-No stalling, unless it's too cold for the horse to be outside. And no, 30-40 degrees isn't cold. I mean, if the horse is shaking, put a blanket on. Still cold? Take the horse inside. At night time, it can even be a bad thing as well. This is because horses sleep for around 2 hours per day, split up into 15 minute intervals. So while you are inside sleeping for 8-9 hours, your horse is standing in his own feces and urine during that time, sleeping minimally.
-No bits, hackamores, spurs, pain tools, etc. You may use a flat, nylon halter for leading and if necessary in training. You can also use a saddle, if your horse wants to. Destiny for example, hates bareback and hates English saddles. Even though I'd rather ride bareback, I'll respect her and ride in a Western saddle.
-Play is a necessity for a strong bond! You can think of play as being anything... Running with your horse, playing with a ball, targeting, going over tarps and obstacle courses, etc. Anything that involves exploration, curiosity, or playful movements is a form of play. And horses love it!
-Relaxation is also a necessity. If your horse doesn't feel like playing, don't just ditch him because he doesn't want to play... Relax with him. Spend time talking and scratching him in his favorite places.
-No shoeing. It is bad for the hooves. Causes them chronic pain, loses blood circulation, and doesn't allow the hoof to flex.
-The only ways a whip can be used is either as an extension of your arm for giving cues, or if your horse needs correction. Such as, if you're working with a horse that attacks you. I've worked with one that I've had to discipline. He reared up on me several times, striking out with front hooves, all the while trying to bite my hair. Then he turned around and began bucking at me. I whacked him as hard as I could on his hindquarters. A kick can kill me. There was an 8 year old girl recently who died from a horse kick. As well as many in the past who have died from horse kicks as well. A whip can only be used as correction when needed for aggression. Some people whip if the horse won't pick up a hoof or if a horse won't stand for saddling. This is just cruel. Only use it as a correction if your safety is on the line. All other times it is an aid.
-Only a flat, nylon halter may be used. Liberty is strongly encouraged. But if you have a problem you need to work out using a halter, you can do that as well. Such as getting a horse over anxiety, leading for vet visits, etc. Or if you need to get your horse over a specific problem and R+ hasn't been working for you. But, it should also simply be used as a training tool when needed. Any other time it's important only to use it when leading to one enclosure to another, for safety reasons. For example, mowed grass is toxic for horses to eat. You'd want to have something on their head if you're walking past mowed grass. Or if there's spilled grain on the ground... You need to pull their head away, since you don't know what's in that grain! Or you have a sticky trap hanging up (a lot of people at my barn hang them up in barns to catch flies) and your horse goes to sniff it. Quickly jerk his head away or he'll get his nose caught in it. Without a halter while leading, accidents can happen.
-Treat the horse with utmost respect.
-Treats are allowed. I hear of many different training techniques where treats are not allowed, or even discouraged. Many people look at them as bribery, or think it makes horses become mean. But treat-giving is a way to spend time with a horse. If you go hang out with a friend, food will likely be involved. Either a snack at their house or you'll go out to eat. Or popcorn in a movie theater. Food is a regular part of hanging out with a friend. Horses eat together in the pasture as well. If you take them out and you two are just standing there together, offer your horse a treat. He'll enjoy it. It's also a good reward in training. R- trainers don't need to use treats, since the reward is the removal of an aversive. R+ trainers need a good positive reward since they don't have anything aversive to the horse, so there is nothing to remove. This is often petting or treats.
-Have fun! Too many people are always busy trying to get something done or achieve something, so they forget to have fun with their horse! One of my main mottos is... Have fun! If my horse is having fun, and I'm having fun, all is good
It's okay to set goals, but don't set expectations. Because if your horse doesn't meet those expectations, you'll be disappointed in him and you and him won't have fun together.