From Green To Great

I guess you could say that bad horse training keeps good horse trainers in business.  I know several trainers that earn their lively hood based entirely on re training poorly trained horses.  The job of re training a horse can be much trickier than doing it right the first time.  The process entails spending a  great deal of time  regaining trust and unlearning bad habits.  However, bad training is not always the root of the problem.  When someone takes a green horse to a trainer and expects to get back a finished horse in 30 or even 60 days they are setting the horse up for failure, and encouraging the trainer to take shortcuts.

I'm not implying that I have never or would never back a horse in that time. In 30 to 60 days I can give you back a horse that rides, and if the horse is nice enough and your not a competitive rider you might just get by. However, laying a solid foundation, or training horses to carry themselves, to collect or to perform well at a competitive level typically takes the average horse around 18 months. 

Taking Short cuts in  training horses is a bit like dieting.  There are plenty of ways to lose weight.  You may even lose a lot of weight fast.  Unfortunately, as many of us learn the hard way there is no magic pill or exercise free way to get in shape, and just because your thinner doesn't necessarily mean your healthy and It certainly doesn't mean its going to last.

Every now and then I get the opportunity to work with a young green horse.  A clean slate with an open mind.  They have no reason to be fearful of people and no real damage to undo.  Such is the case with my latest training project, a three year old Morgan named "Tucker"  He is full of youthful exuberance and curiosity.  He is eager to work and will do just about anything to hear the words good boy.  He is one of those horses with the rare combination of intelligence with great temperament. The best part about working with Tucker is that his owner is not in a big rush.  She knows she has a really nice horse in her hands and wants to bring him  along right, rather than right now.

That is the difference between breaking and training.  I consider Breaking as a sort of one sided conversation.  There is no real communication happening.  The horse is asked to do something it can not understand and then made to go through a series of wrong answers and correction until it stumbles upon the right one.  This often accompanies Force, restraint and correction until the horse finally gives in, gives up or submits.  Breaking horses may condition them to perform certain tasks but there is no real learning going on.  In fact the only thing actually being taught is what not to do.  Most horses will learn to do the "correct" thing eventually if for no other reason then fear of punishment for guessing incorrectly. 

The trainer I learned from used this analogy... "If you grab the handle of a hot pan, it doesn't take you long to realize your mistake. Your body reacts to the stimulus and you let go of the pan. You learned not to pick up a hot pan but since you didn't really have time to process all your options, your learning isn't very complete. Just like the horse getting "gentled", you got a negative education. You learned what not to do, what to be afraid to do. If you had had the time to process the situation, you might have gotten a more positive education and learned the way to pick up a hot pan so you wouldn't get burned"

Tucker has been in training for a couple months.  With the exception of some time off for his disagreement with a metal gate, and a few snow days he has been worked an average of four days a week.  While many trainers would tell you that he should be backed and well on his way by now, Tucker has yet to see a saddle.  He is making great progress and eagerly awaits his training sessions, actually running over to me  when he sees me enter the paddock with his halter and lunge line.  There are no treat rewards he just knows its his turn to play in the arena.

This past weekend I gave his owner a demonstration of all we have been working on in the time he has been in training.  She was elated to see his progress.  For the first time she watched her young horse paying undivided attention to his handler, patiently awaiting then performing every request on command from changing direction, backing up, transitioning between walk, trot and halt with and without a lead line, then doing the same while on a lunge line.  He has now accepted the bridle and surcingle and will hopefully be fully tacked up by weeks end.  He has established a great trust and gained much confidence all while developing the muscle and balance necessary to make a smooth transition into work under saddle.
I realize that training can be very expensive.  I'm not suggesting that its necessary to spend thousands of dollars nor am I implying that you need to send your horse to a trainer for two years.  I do suggest that you set realistic training goals for your horse.  Its also important to educate yourself as much as possible about the techniques your trainer uses.   I am constantly amazed at how many owners want to simply drop the horse off to be "fixed" or trained and have no desire to learn how to maintain what they paid for. Every time you interact with your horse you are training him whether you realize it or not.  Ask your trainer questions, take lessons, learn how to continue the work your trainer began.  There is no secret short cut to turn green into great overnight. That is the beauty and the challenge of working with horses, no matter how many horses you've worked with there will always be more to learn. 

Comments

[Patricia Barlow-Irick]

This is a great post... gives you something to think about. I treasure your description of breaking!

But.... I don't totally agree. Here is my opinion. In a perfect world we all would have infinite time and resources to devote to our beloved equines. We could pay $900/month for equine education enrichment, but here on this planet, most of us can't pay that kind of money for our own kids, much less our horses. It's not just a matter if you want the best for your critter, its the compromise with reality about what is possible. That doesn't, however, mean you have to hard break a horse.

If you have the money to afford it, it's something you can feel good about. If you have to choose a faster option, it isn't a bad thing. It's when you have to get that piece of horseflesh you bought at the sale barn last week ready to go in the ThriftyNickle next week so you can churn a little postive cash flow, then it gets really really ugly. Poor pony!!!

Tucker is a lucky pony, indeed.

[Patricia Barlow-Irick]

No, I just realized in re-reading your post that we are in total agreement.

I love your blog!

[MiKael]

I thought I'd commented on this post already. The cybergoblins must have eatten it.

I totally agree that bad horse trainers keep good ones in business. It's just to bad the horse is the one that pays the price for the bad ones. Saw a couple of my babies started by a bad one and wonder if they will ever be fixed. It's enough to make me think about no longer breeding horses.

[Liz]

Hello,

I am researching training as I need some advise. I am a green rider with a green horse. He (and I) have been in professional training for 6 mos. My horse will be 6 yrs old tomorrow. 20/20 hindsight reveals to me what my trainer was begging me not to do which was to buy a green horse. On the other hand, I got lucky and found a really nice one; even my trainer loves him.. Oh, I am 47 years old too. Like others, I am not made of money and moreover, my husband and I are looking to buy horse property to help with the cost (I know, I know - a big lifestyle change). Where we are looking, there are 1700 acres of trails and 7 rings for various disciplines for the sole use of the homeowners in the planned equestrian neighborhood. All great stuff! The issue is, that I am kind of scared to take my horse out of his environment and engage in training continuation myself. I am totally resisitant to selling him. I absolutely love my horse, but he is green afterall.. Here's my question. Is it reasonable for me to consider continuing his training myself (with guidence of course), or will his potenital be severely oppressed if he is not trained professionally. I guess the answer seems obvious, but I just wanted some feedback. THanks for your response! Liz

[kelly]

Liz,

This is a tricky situation. The answer really depends on you. My first mare was purchased as a two year old and she was very green. At that point she was beyond my skill level and she was very aware of this fact. I took the horse on with the mindset that we would learn together. I did not ride my own horse for the first 6 months that I owned her. Well, thats not true... I should say that I did not ride her again after the first time for six months. Within a few minutes on her back I knew I was not ready for her. Over time I became a strong enough rider to ride through her young and green issues with confidence.

It is truly a great feeling when you get to that point. When you feel as though there is absolutely nothing up this horses sleeve that could phase you. Thats when real work can begin. They begin to focus on whats being asked because trying to get you off course is no longer fun. However, this was not without several victories on the mares side. She certainly made me work for it. I have been run away with, reared with and bucked many times before reaching this point.

I honestly feel that the real concern is your fear. If you are uncertain of your ability to ride the horse through the new situations which WILL arise, then it is very important that you have the guidance and assistance of someone who can. What I would hate to see is for something to happen which results in fear of riding your own horse.

If I was in your situation I would probably do both. I would try to find a trainer to help me on a part time basis as I could afford (maybe once a week?) and work at my pace between sessions.

There are several things you can do to prepare the horse on your own for the new things he might be apprehensive about. I would spend time just walking (beside him not on him) through the trails. Getting him used to the new sights, smells and sounds. I would do a tremendous amount of ground work, focusing on getting and keeping his attention and respect.

I would teach him new things very slowly making sure that nothing is more than a small step from what he already knows. If I walk up to you and ask you to swallow a big ball of string you will look at me like I'm crazy and say " I can't" and "I won't" Now If I take that same ball of string and break it up into small little pieces and give you one each day you will eventually swallow the entire thing with out any great hesitation.

There is nothing you can't accomplish with time, patience, and preparation. If you are mentally ready to ride through the bad things and you do your best to set your horse up to choose the right thing then I think you will do just fine. Don't be afraid to ask for help! Don't let the little things turn into big ones! Sometimes green horses are a blessing. They can be shaped and molded when in the right hands. They know no real fear or pain and have no reason not to trust you. You are lucky to have a situation where you can have him at your disposal each day. Take advantage of that time with him as much as possible and don't be in a rush. I am always happy to listen and offer my humble opinion:) Good Luck & Keep us up to date on how it goes with your baby.

Kelly

[Liz]

Thanks Kelly. I really appreciate your response. It helps a lot. I have to say since my last post, I've had a 'substitute' trainer for a lesson who I have had before... She is tough but has pulled the best performance out of me to date and in doing so really beefs up my confidence. Moreover, she is intolerant of any pansy attitude that I may display and has laid down what is properly expected insasfar as gaining the respect of my horse. SHe pulls NO punches. I'm not sure if because I have come along a bit more since she trained me last that this time, I seem to have performed that much better under her guidance, but in any case, I feel like I can do this... My plan is to switch to her for a few months full time as I think she will push me and my horse a bit further perhaps in a bit less time so that I can be as prepared as possible for taking him home.. As it stands right now, we are still awaiting an offer on our house but have had our offer accepted on the horse property.. Thank you again for your support. One thing I don't want either is to be afraid of my horse. I aim to conquer! So far so good...

[Pat]

Is there any where to post a warning about bad trainers? It would be nice to know who the bad trainers are, so people don't have good horses ruinned.
Thanks, Pat

[Marvel]

Wonderful information.

We've had horses for nearly 30 years, but learn every day that there is so much more to be learned.

Patience is probably the most important thing we have found the most effective in almost every situation.

Thanks for the great advice you are giving.

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