Correcting Behavior We Dislike In Our Horses

Let's talk about the idea of correcting a horse for behavior that we don't like. I'm going to share three examples of corrections, a different way to think about corrections, and a story to help you remember it all. How smooth are your corrections? If your horse anticipates your correction, does it make him better or does it make him worse? I'm going to share some examples of corrections that I want you to ponder. Take the time to think about what these corrections would look like from the horse's point of view. The ultimate goal is for the horse to get better as a result of just thinking about the possible corrections.   Show Notes:   [02:03] Stacy kicks the show off with an extreme correction example that she saw when she was in college. [03:36] It's really important to think about it from the horse's point of view. Does the correction cause the horse to anticipate it and get better or worse? [04:08] A horse can't make the leap of the rider's mind. The anticipation of the correction can cause a problem. [05:20] You don't want to send your horse confusing cues. If you can't get forward motion, stop backing your horse up. [06:10] Horses running backwards is very dangerous for you and the horse. [06:23] Keys for good corrections includes slow hands and a stair-stepped progression. Coupled with the release of the queue on the desired response. [07:53] Try a light tap with a rhythm. A hesitation in the rhythm is a noticeable difference. Rhythmic tapping can be much more effective, because the reward is much more noticeable. [08:53] Clarity is required for your horse to figure out the pattern of the queue. [09:33] Your correction should be smooth and clear and if the horse anticipates it, they should correct themselves. [10:21] It becomes a beautiful thing when your horses understand your smooth clear corrections and start correcting themselves. [10:46] Stacy shares an example of using horse training techniques with her kids and the power of anticipation. Where the correction helps get the outcome.   Links and Resources: Episode 29: 3 Negative Thoughts Riders Often Have Toward Horses