Why??
You know. You've been there. The child asks a question. Usually in a contained
environment. The car. A crowded store. The topic is almost always a complicated or
embarrassing one. So the adult gives a quick answer that is seemingly inadequate to the child. And the follow up is "why?" with several more "but why's"!
Just this past week, I worked with three new clients that might have been happier
before now if they had asked a few more "why's", too.
Georgia showed hunter pleasure horses with more than one top trainer for a few years, dropped out for a while, is starting up again. No one explained how to identify the correct lead or diagonal. Ever! She was always guessing and luckily for her, the horses she rode were pretty automatic when it came to leads. Why?
Dan's daughter took riding lessons for two years and didn't know how to halter,
lead or saddle a horse. She looked pretty sitting on a horse but was very insecure about
riding one. No one was asking why.
A couple came to buy a new reining horse and I took them to one of the best
ranches and trainers here in north Texas. As the woman was riding, the trainer
correctly instructed her to use a combination of cues for a specific situation. But he
didn't tell her why.
Now if you go after the trainer, instructor or judge with why's like the child does,
you are likely to get the same aggravated, frustrated responses! But I encourage you to
liberally ask "why?".
When it comes to training and riding, the principles are not complicated:
-pressure and the release of pressure
-punishment (not abuse) and reward
-the four natural aids: voice, hands, seat, legs
-correct position in the saddle
-six rein positions and three leg positions
-common sense
And nearly every training technique will fall back on these. It's not that hard to
explain. The challenge comes from the fact that there are an infinite number of
situations. But once you understand the principles you can figure it out, have
plenty of confidence, and get good answers when you ask why.
Happy Trails,
Anne Johnson
I own just two horses-Bonita San Olena a 2002 Half Arabian mare that is a reining horse and her half brother, Bandosolena a 2004 gelding that likely will be a wonderful cowhorse. My immediate goal is to develop these two uniquely bred horses, to enjoy them and what they can do. They are very good horses!
There's an old cowboy saying that in his lifetime, a cowboy should have one good horse, one good dog, and one good woman. A judge friend of mine added to that one time saying all a woman needs is a good horse and a good dog! Well, if that's true, I have succeeded.
Thanks again for stopping by……until next month…….Happy Trails!!
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