Trisha wren ~ Connect With Your Horse

We all strive to create a better relationship with our horse, a better bond, and a mutual trust. Why? Well, a variety of reasons - we want a more willing partner, a friend, a horse that listens to us rather than ignoring us, and we want them to be happy. Often, we struggle to think of ways of achieving that goal - but in truth, the only limit is your imagination! Here is the first of some ideas that I've tried myself.

Hand grazing
Many people would discount this straight away, believing that hand grazing your horse causes more problems than it solves. However, done with a clear vision of what you want to achieve, it can be a useful bonding tool. It can increase your horses focus on you, improve your leading skills, and just be a pleasant thing for you to do together! I found it especially useful with a horse that a) didn't like to leave his pasture buddies, and b) was inclined to pull away from his handler when being led. Do this in a safe place, maybe just at the fresh grass just outside your horse's field to start with - you know, at this time of year, that bit he always tries to get a sneaky snatch of when you're trying to turn him out!

The key is to gradually influence when the horse has its head down grazing, and when it doesn't. So, in the beginning, especially if this is a novelty to your horse and the grass is especially good, you may have to let him get a good few mouthfuls without any interference. When he's got over that initial gorge-fest, take some contact on your leadrope and ask him to raise his head. Once you've started asking, keep gradually increasing your cues until he lifts his head; do what it takes, but try not to create a fight out of it. Stay calm and try to project the message that you need his head, and you need it right now. In these situations your intent is the most important thing - but that's another topic in its own right!

What you do next will depend on his reaction. Decide beforehand, knowing your horse, what you want from him - and stick to it as near as possible, and within reason. So, if you'd like him to keep his head away from the grass for 30 seconds, one minute, or whatever, you may need to keep him busy - distract his thoughts from that grass and get his focus back with you. As soon as he raises his head for you, go for a walk, do some turns, some backing, anything to shift his thoughts to you. Then lead him back to the nice grass, and allow him to have a few more mouthfuls. If he tows you to the grass and dives his head down ie doesn't wait to be asked, try to pre-empt him and go for another walk until he's listening to you again. We want him to wait for our signal if at all possible. Depending on your horse and your timing you might find this difficult to start with, but try to stay calm and tuned in to your horse and it should get easier each time.

Remember the whole point is to improve your communication skills, to teach him to focus on you more. By combining this training exercise with something your horse likes (grass), you are showing him that you are trustworthy and a good provider. Try to find some balance between letting him eat and even choose which direction to go, and asking him to come back to you or go in the direction you want to go in. I'm a big believer that if you allow your horse to make some of the choices ie don't say "No!" all the time, he'll be more willing to listen to you when you do ask something of him.

Trisha