While Mike may have submitted his post for editing to minimize confusion,
he is not "wrong" in the concepts he proposes.
I would be willing to bet that every horse handler/rider has used
"force" at some level.
For example:
I have, on many occasions, ended up in a "battle" of sorts, with initial
training, when the horse wanted to go right and I wanted it to go
left. I simply use the benefit of angles and force (mild force is needed
to hold the head in the correct direction) to my advantage. When a horses
head is turned, it has much less power to protest and most often will turn in
the direction of the "pull". This is no different that what Mike is
saying.
Another example is the "emergency stop" taught by the NH clinicians, and
others. Yes, it is less a function of the angle of the neck/head and
more a function of disengaging the hindquarters, BUT, the result is
that, from the saddle, I can effect a change in the speed and direction of
a 1000 pound animal using leverage and force to my advantage. This is no
different that what Mike is saying.
I also grasp the neck of my youngsters, when they are small, and hold fast,
bracing my weight against their normal "flight" response, releasing only when
they stop and stand still. This teaches them, when they are small, that I
can "subdue" them. This is no different that what Mike is saying.
There is absolutely NO abuse in any of these actions.
These are not elements of "force" as you and I might want to define it
because of the way it is often negatively utilized. It is the same as
taking the hand of a 2 year old, as one walks down a busy sidewalk, to prevent
the child from rushing out into traffic. The parent may cringe if I
said that he/she "forced" her child into submission by holding fast to that hand
when there was a need to "teach" and to do so "safely" until the child could
understand the negative consequences of running into traffic.
One can, very successfully, teach a horse with consistent and appropriately
applied pressure (as Kristi stated) and a well-timed release. Should the
pressure continue for minutes, until a full release is offered, does not make it
abuse.
Reflect on the "patience pole" or the tall oak tree. When one
uses those tools to teach a horse to tie (which is highly recommended as an
effective teaching tool) the "pressure" continues until the horse releases the
pressure. Same concept, longer "lag" time.
Karen Everhart MEd Co-founder and Executive Director Rainbow Meadows
Rescue and Retirement, Inc. Serving the equine companions who have so loyally
served us... www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com 620-725-3402
Owner/Operator Horse Calls - Equine Management Solutions Centered
Riding Instructor Distance Horse Conditioning and Training www.horsecalls.com 316-648-5082
