Re: [RC] Lazy young horse - Diane Trefethen"Lazy" is probably not what your horse would call himself if he could put his two cents into this discussion. "More interested in something else" probably describes what he is thinking. That being said, the only thing to worry about is not letting him learn that he gets to decide what gets done and what doesn't. Never ask for something that you don't fully expect to get... come hell or high water*. A horse that learns that he gets to make the call on what will happen and what won't can become a very dangerous animal. The flip side is that you, as trainer, must never make unreasonable demands, from the horse's point of view, not yours. If you ask for something, be unequivocally certain that your horse knows both what you are asking for and also how to deliver.* Remember that homo sapiens really can think better than equus caballus. Therefore, if part way through a session you realize that YOU failed to properly prepare your horse for what you are now asking... change the lesson. Ask for something different. When your horse complies with the new request and is rewarded with your voice and touch, HE won't know that you originally wanted something else. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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