Noble and I have been engaged in a battle of wills. He thinks that the only time a horse should be wet is with sweat from a good hard play session. I think there are many other good reasons – like cooling, cleaning or soaking. Who would win this battle?
Time for more video fun. Here is a delightful video about British police horse training in 1967. I disagree with the opening statement that horses are obstinate animals to train, but that is just theatre. I love seeing the training methods, particularly the positive reinforcement. The group ride with the spears looks a little scary … … More Video fun: police horses
I was reading the training principles that Colonel Carde has on his website, and it left me with one thought – if every rider stopped to think about how they learn, and approached teaching their horse as they want to be taught, most of the issues they encounter would be avoided.
“If collection is defined not merely as the bodily state in which the horse is best and most easily able to comply with the schooling requirements of its rider, it signifies, when applied to all the branches of horsemanship, increased attentiveness and a readiness of execution that best corresponds to the particular object in view. … More Seunig: Defining Collection
I recently read a thoughtful post that addressed what I would agree is a forgotten area of horse training – that the horse is naturally programmed to make attachments. I say forgotten because, unlike the author, I have read many older training tomes that specifically refer to forming the kind of attachment she refers to … More Leader or attachment figure?
If time and good instructors permit, systematic dressage can bring nothing but benefit to any horse and pleasure to the rider. If, however, the dressage is misapplied, is carried out in an over-hasty manner and in an insensitive way – and this is more often than not the case – then more harm is done … More Give Them More Time!
Horse Crazy Once Again 