Bits from Beth Bits from Beth SRI's Lead Equine Director      The training of a horse goes back to the beginning of time (well at least 8000 years).  At first it was trial and error. Then the pendulum swing to classical horsemanship of Vienna. Then it swung all the way to the cowboys of the old West. Tie them to a pole, buck them out and ride them till they are broke. Later we went through The traveling trainer, that could break any mean horse, never mind what method, just get the job done. Next, came the Horse Whisperer (Nice if you had the special touch). Then the market was flooded with every Tom, Dick, and Harry that had a little luck training, they wrote a book, made a video.  So the Public figured each one was the right way.      Now you have a horse, and you want to train it. Whose method is right for your horse, and for you? No instruction can be explained by generalities alone. Every detail must be laid out. You must have knowledge and the ability to train. Without knowledge you are only a workman with no art. The art of training is closely related to the wisdom of life. The horse teaches us self control, constancy and to understand what goes on in their mind and how their feeling. From this relationship with the horse the rider will learn that only kindness and mutual understanding will bring perfection. Many Roads lead to "Rome"!  Which is best and which is shortest? To be successful the rider must be able to distinguish between cause and effect. The effect is easy to see, the cause of the effect is recognized only through knowledge. Each horse has it's own talents, character, physical abilities, past experiences, tolerance to being pushed and his own heredity. When we see extreme behavior from a horse (such as striking, kicking, biting etc., we must match the training method to the behavior. When the behavior is under control, we can use the far gentler method to reinforce good behavior. Then go directly back to your step by step training building blocks. We must listen to the horse to understand how to proceed. Is he showing fear? Do we help him face his fears and grow into a useful horse? Or do we allow him to slowly over come them doing the same process over, and over? You must decide! Listen to what he is telling you. Is your horse stepping into your space, pushing you around? You must first establish the pecking order, or he will train you. If you can't lead him, you best stay off his back. Is he jumpy and high strung? Keep in mind. When you feed a horse high protein diet, with treats and no exercise, you will get what you put in. The more the coal, the hotter the fire.!! Add a little cold weather and wind, then stress him with new surroundings, new routine, new horses around him and you're off to the races!  Do you see where I am going with this? Give him time to adjust. Now consider his age, the younger the shorter the attention span. Do you quit when he shows confusion, and over load? Go back to what he knows and end on a happy note.      Have you chosen the right sport for his build, and his temperament.? If he quits his normal level of work, have you checked his temperature, looked for swelling? Are his teeth bothering him? Have you had his feet checked? Did you do a complete vet check, looking for soreness? Maybe he needs a day off once in while. Sometimes even blinders change his attitude. If the horse checks out, look to yourself. A horse can tell if you are depressed, sick hurting, to busy, or scared. Some trainers believe each day should build on the next, and are upset when they don't remember what you taught them the day before. Often you have one step forward, two steps back. Then one day they surprise you and remember everything. They are not human. They think like a horse. Their response to life is about survival or reproduction.  Survival mode can create a reaction of flight, fight, or freeze. They can have flashbacks of fears that they have never been helped to face.      I think you'll agree we need to study our horse and find out who he is and what we need from him in order to develop a partnership. Have a plan. Each day is a new experience for you and the horse. Learn from each other. Most of all have fun! Ms. Beth Helmbrecht Morris Do you have a horse question?  Contact Ms. Beth via email at cabbie40601@yahoo.com