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Ivonne Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:04 pmIt may seem at first that pressure is something the horse is wanting but the last thing he would like to be doing is putting pressure on himself, but he doesn't know what else to do. It is our responsibility to help him overcome his problem.
This quote reminds me of when a person has a "lazy" horse that they overuse pressure with, further dulling the horse to pressure, instead of teaching the horse to respond to light...
So, when you start with light....and add more as needed...until the horse finally responds, then reward his try with an immediate release of pressure = I think only then can the horse start to fully understand..."Oh! If I move quicker...at the lightest pressure...I'll get released sooner" = the horse starts to respond sooner to lighter pressure.
The horse is learning to yield to that firmness. We are trying to present it to him as if he puts that pressure on himself, and when he figures out it's him that's putting the pressure on, then he finds a way to relieve himself of that pressure by yielding to his own pressure. Then it becomes his idea.
Hmmm...like when a person hangs on the reins or the line a little too long and ends up pulling against the horse = the horse knows....the pressure is coming from the rider/handler = the horse doesn't want to do it (respond).
BUT if the person takes the slack out and holds and waits. Waits. And Waits. The horse won't get in a tug of war. Instead, he learns he's pulling on himself and then it's his idea to give to that pressure.
Your thoughts? Examples with your horse?
