Start with a clear definition, figure out the rest later
What does it mean to you when you describe your horse as slow or sluggish? Maybe you call it something different. Perhaps you use 'lazy', 'unmotivated', or 'stoic' to describe it.
Define your problem, your starting point
Start by making a definition for the behaviour you want to change.
Maybe you don’t even see it as a ‘problem’, but more something you would like your horse to do differently… Better!
Here are my definitions of ‘slow’ and ‘sluggish’ in Movement Training for Horses.
‘Slow’ or ‘sluggish’ Horses
I thought long about how to exactly define this.
A good definition needs to be measurable.
Then you can see if it’s a fit for your horse (yes) or not (no).
Here’s my definition of a ‘slow’ or ‘sluggish’ horse.
It takes longer than 3 seconds to respond to your (forward/whoa) cue
Your horse needs 2 or more cues before responding
Your horse needs reminders to ‘keep going.’
What’s next
Now that you have a definition, it’s easy to see if it defines your horse’s behaviour. Falls his behaviour within ‘slow’ or ‘sluggish’, or not.
It’s a simple way to measure.
Maybe yes on the ground, but not in the saddle.
Maybe he’s great under saddle, but slow to respond on a lead rope.
Then you need to ask yourself:
Does it bother you?
If not, keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy your horse.
If it does bother you, even slightly, that you have to ask twice or more times, you can now consciously decide to change it.
What do you want instead?
Let’s define ‘forward’ and ‘responsive’ horses. It’s the opposite of slow and sluggish.
Responsive
Your horse responds within 3 seconds to your cue, without going into flight mode
Your horse responds with the desired behaviour after just one ask
You don’t need to repeat your cue to 'keep him going’ in the desired pace. Walk is walk, until something else is cued. Trot is trot, canter is canter, and whoa is halt. Simple.
Bridge the gap
Training is bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
You can train your horse!
You don’t need to be a “horse trainer”.
Just like dog owners can teach their dog to sit and stay, without being a professional dog trainer.
You can train your horse to become forward and responsive.
And if you don’t know how, you can ask me. I specialize in R+ Movement Training for Horses.
I can teach you to train your horse to become responsive and forward.
Clarity
How do you feel now that you have clarity?
When is your horse ‘slow’ or ‘sluggish’? When do you need to repeat your cue twice or more before he responds?
Would you like to ask him only once?
How would it change your relationship with your horse if he listened better to you?
Next time, I will explain why some horses are slow or sluggish.
When you know WHY, you also will know HOW to change it!
Horse training is easy! Everyone can do it!
Don’t believe that you need to be an expert.
For now, Happy Horse Training! You are the trainer!
(Now you know why I say this ↑)
Sandra
HippoLogic
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