Training a Horse is More than Equine Psychology

"Hoss Logic" is More Than Horse Psychology It's Learning About your Horse from Head to Hoof

by Bob Blackwell

It is necessary to understand the complete horse in order to truly understand your horse. This is true regardless of breed. There is more involved in effective horsemanship than horse psychology, superficial communication or commands and or other gimmicks. There are both internal and external factors which create responses and motivate equine behavior. Force free training, along with understanding the internal thought process and motivation behind the responses of a horse, is nothing new, but has survived in various forms from the days of the Bedouins. Many different methods of teaching these principles have emerged in recent years and many approaches are available today. These methods vary from the straight forward to the highly commercialized. The best methods are those in which the practical horseman strives to apply knowledge, understanding, and communication to "think ahead" of the horse. There should be no need to rely on force or gimmicks in these program since these have been bypassed in preference for a genuine understanding of equine behavior.

The method of getting "inside" the horse's head is not a new concept either. One way that the ancient horsemen used to accomplish this level of mutual understanding was by bringing the horses into their own "human" environment. An example of this is the Bedouins who raised their foals from birth in their own tents. This created an atmosphere of "nurturing" and bonded horse and rider in the closest of relationships which today we call "imprinting." Another way this can be accomplished is to take the rider into the environment or perspective of the horse. Either approach accesses the familiarity necessary in the process of developing communication skills. In either process a person with a keen eye for observing external factors and observing evidence of internal reaction and motivation to those factors can use the familiarity involved to "nurture" the WILL within a horse to do what is asked of it. It is at this level of what many call "horse sense" that what my grandpa always called, "Hoss Logic" starts to develop amd practical horsemanship begins. In practical horsemanship the combination of nature and nurture go hand in hand. Only through this supportive process can a genuine "attitude change" as a result of nurturing can be achieved as opposed to blind obedience or involuntary natural reaction.

A "nurtural" environment is one that is not intimidating to either horse or rider. This environment of "safety" permits a calm, reassuring setting in which a more complete relationship between horse and rider can be achieved. When a "nurtural" environment is created new lessons are more easily accepted, processed, and learned. Practical horsemanship is never strictly about the horse. It is also about the rider and developing a relationship based on nurturing.

A practical horseman strives to understand and communicate with his or her horse, but will also evaluate the complete horse for any indications of any physical attributes which may effect either attitude or performance. You can not begin to understand the true nature of your horse until you are trained to adequately evaluate your horse head to hoof. The physiological aspects of your horse, i.e. how your horse is built, what effects on performance and response the construction of the mouth, hooves, shoulder and hip angles, functional back, etc., will have as important a bearing on how you proceed as that of "knowing" what your horse is thinking. All relative attributes and needs must be addressed in order for a horse to be able to live and perform at its best, comfortably, relaxed, and safely. Real understanding comes from understanding what creates comfort and relaxation of your horse physically and mentally, so that he will not be distracted, or what allows the horse to relax and focus on the lessons to be learned. It's just plain "Hoss Logic."

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Hosslogic is a unique equine program which incorporates the muscle building activities which effectively enhances the atheletic conformation of non-gaited breeds, but also provides the muscular development necessary to support the of the gaited horse to encourage the gait. This makes this program desirable for those who like both gaited and non-gaited breeds. The physical traits and desired activities of the horses of various breeds must be considered separately when it comes to the training that goes into the horses and riders in this program get a broader perspective of the reasons why various builds are necessary in achieving the various purposes of those breeds.. Having worked with a number of those gaited horses and riders who have participated in programs first designed for stock horses I generaly find that it is necessary in some areas to reeducate both the horse and rider in order to teach both to "find" and achieve the gait.

In using "hoss logic" the rider learns to listen to their horse and allow the horse to relax asking for routine responses before progresing to new lessons.. Once a rider learns the art of listening to what the horse is telling him or her the rider can go on to learn some basic force free riding skills which are necessary for gaited horses. When both horse and rider are relaxed, positive, and moving as one the gait is allowed to surface naturally. It has also been my experience that when the magic "gait" is achieved it is usually accompanied by screams or exclamations of delight from the owners who obviously have never felt the characteristic gait of the breed.

How does all this work? Learning is a give and take process. When learning is shared a horse and rider have the opportunity to bond in a way that truly represents human/equine interaction to the highest level. To the degree that this two way communication is established will be the degree of success in learning and retention achieved, but, if one party forgets to communicate or listen, the avenues of communication are severed and there is a break down in not only this interactive flow of communication but it quality of the ride. In other words, we must learn from our horses and our horses must learn from us. Horses are unique and though some responses will be the same, what causes one horse to respond with "fear", etc. and another not to have the same response as another horse to the same situation is often caused by nurture rather than nature.

There are steps to achieve this interaction which I call "interactive activities." Though these are usually "fun" activities I prefer not to suggest that these are "games" in order not to undermine the importance of these interactive activities or excercises. Children play games which are actually role playing activities which will develop the character and personality of the child when they have reached maturity as an adult. Horses learn in much the same way. There is no reason to talk or behave "down" to horses. It is important to share language teaching them the meanings of certain human vocalizations as well as learning their methods of communication. Horses are very intelligent and need to grow in their understanding of their external environment and their ability to understand various methods of communicating just as much as humans do. The object is to raise, nurture, and grow this level of communication rather than be simply a participant in a herd.

When horses engage in play within their herd they are role playing to develop the activities they will engage in at maturity. When horses mature they engage in interactive activities which resemble the play of youth, but have the added aspect of creative role playing necessary for herd survival at a more mature level. Games are replaced by learning and even creating new skills necessary for survival at a higher level in new environments . Play becomes more serious. Relationships become more real in nature rather than simply an "acting out of" basic breed instincts. Contrary to some belief's, horses do like to "work" just as humans do to the extent that the horse understands that rewards are to be gained from performing tasks necessary for the good of the "herd" or family. When these tasks are successfully and well carried out there is the personal reward for the horse of "belonging" to the "herd" and being a useful member. This has been exhibited time after time in "work" horses throughout civilization.

In training this knowledge is highly useful since it can be used to strengthen your relationship to your horse and create a family (herd) equivalent under which you and your horse can optimize your relationship. Selected activities should be those which develop needed skills to accomplish tasks of importance for this alternative herd or family structure and will have a practical benefit for both you and your horse.

In the end you will be happy you chose to understand horse and work with your horse toward a common end. By considering your complete horse from head to hoof you can learn to communicate with and understand the outside factors which motivate equine behavior. You can learn what is necessary to create relaxation and reliance through providing what is necessary for your horse to insure his confidence and comfort in the following areas.
1) The genetics and physiology of your horse. (which includes inherited conformation, breed characteristics, etc.)
2) The psychology of your horse. (which includes understanding the effects of natural along with environmental influences) and
3) The physical (which includes ailments, injuries, hoof or shoeing problems causing discomfort, etc.)

It is important to understanding the effects of outside and inside influences on your horse and just as important to know when to seek outside professional help to remedy problems you may encounter. It is as important to be able to recognize when you might be getting in over your head before you get there (realize if your horse is suited for your level of abilities or if you should save a lesson for another day) as it is to know when a physical problem is causing a reaction that can only be solved by a trip to the vet or farrier or tack store." Hoss logic" is understanding which only comes through an active knowledge of your horse from head to hoof.

To learn more about the principles of "Hoss Logic" call:
1-417-473-6574 or visit www.hosslogic.com