TRAINING - If communication between a horse and handler breaks down it can lead to bad equine behaviour, frustration and resentment on both sides. Advice of the “he’s just trying it on - give him a good wallop” variety may be offered, but obviously pain and fear will only increase the bad feelings. Steve believes that while training horses to change their behaviour there are three main stages in establishing a successful partnership -

Compassion, Consideration and Cooperation.

By following these stages, he can help a horse to understand what is required without causing stress. A stressed horse will switch off and refuse to listen to the trainer. They will react purely by instinct and the opportunity to teach them something will be lost. Yes, they can be stressed and forced to do something - but unless they have been given the opportunity to think things through for themselves, in the same situation they will again make the same 'mistakes'.
 

Once you've admitted to yourself that you can't cope with your horse's behaviour, you have various options:

Avoid the issue – By avoiding an issue you allow the horse to dominate you and you are probably setting yourself up for trouble. Let’s say your horse is aggressive when feed is taken into his/her stable. The easy answer is to avoid the problem by having the feed in ready. What then happens when your horse is put on box rest, for example?

Send it away for retraining – It’s expensive. You’ve lost an opportunity to learn and be part of your horse’s education. When in unfamiliar surroundings many horses behave very differently and when returned to their home revert back.

Sell it – Passing the buck, let someone else deal with it. What happens to your horse after you’ve sold it, or is he/she just a commodity like a car or trailer?

Have it euthanized – Unless done on welfare grounds this is a disgusting option and the owner would probably be better off keeping a hamster instead.

Go on various courses in an attempt to learn how to deal with it – A much better idea than all the above but this also has drawbacks. You could be one of up to 25 students on the course, thereby getting very little personal attention. Courses are designed to be very general to encourage you to come back on the next course and the next and so on. In a strange group people are often too embarrassed to ask questions. The course probably won’t cover your issue in any depth and is not designed with you and your horse in mind.

WAIT FOR IT .......  LIGHTBULB MOMENT COMING UP .......

Get a professional to visit – This is the best option of all because you get individual attention specific to your needs. One visit is usually sufficient. It’s done on home ground so you and your horse will be more relaxed. Everything is explained in detail with reasons given. You won’t be encouraged to buy expensive pieces of equipment and any future advice or help you may need is just a phone call away.

You can contact Steve on 01383 621283
or on his mobile which is 07860598126
Email him at steve@horsehandler.co.uk

WHAT - NO ECLAIRS?

There was a time he scared me stiff
something I'd try not mention,
but that's now gone I'm pleased to say
I now pay him attention.
He'd been telling me of things he liked
of some he was not sure,
but now I understand him
and know his heart is pure.
It seemed that I just couldn't win
he'd never be quite right,
but then I called the quiet man
one frustrated angry night.
My horse behaved, did nothing wrong
how could that be I thought,
an hour or two with a strange man
but see the change he's brought.
I remember all the lessons
simple things I'd never tried,
how to listen, how to ask
it worked so well I cried.
Now the spell is finally broken
thank you Steve for all you've done,
with those quiet words you've spoken
horse and I are having fun.
(A client)

HIGH SPIRITS