Post by Casper on Feb 19, 2007 16:31:10 GMT -5
#3 The Driving Game
Horses play The Driving Game with each other all the time. They give a hard look, lay back their ears, switch their tails or lift a hind leg to say, "If you don't move, you're going to run into my teeth or my hoof!"
This game comes after The Porcupine Game because the horse needs to learn to move from your physical pressure before he learns to move from your mental pressure. You are developing the language of suggestion. The horse learns that if he doesn't yield to your suggestion, then he runs into the physical pressure of a swinging rope, stick or your hand as a consequence. The game is getting your horse to move without touching him. But if he doesn't move you will touch him until he does.
There's a distinct difference here that a horse really understands. If you hit a horse with harsh intentions, he'll blame you, lose trust or even fight back. Horses do not understand punishment. They only understand negative consequences. The big difference is that negative consequences happen instantly and there are no harsh emotions involved. If you are suggesting that the horse move and he doesn't, then he runs into the same physical object that was suggesting he move away, he learns that he should get out of the way faster. It is his responsibility. He won't blame you and he'll move away faster the second or third time.
One of the worst things you can do is lie to your horse by suggesting, with a physical backup coming, then not follow through. Your horse will have your number in no time, know that you're not going to follow through and disrespect you even more for it. He knows if you don't really mean to make him move around, then he must still be the leader. Your horse needs to know his leader doesn't lie. You must be as fair and just as a dominant horse would be.
To play The Driving Game, see if you can send your horse backward by shaking your hands at him as if you were flicking water. Move his front end by pointing towards his eye. Move his hindquarters so he'll face you by swinging the end of your rope at his hindquarters, even let it swat him if you need to follow through. Be very careful to stay out of kicking range. Use the rope to swat him while you stand near his shoulder. When he faces you, rub his head to help him understand he did the right thing. Play this game over and over until all you have to do is look at your horse's hindquarter like you want it to move and he will face you.
Horses play The Driving Game with each other all the time. They give a hard look, lay back their ears, switch their tails or lift a hind leg to say, "If you don't move, you're going to run into my teeth or my hoof!"
This game comes after The Porcupine Game because the horse needs to learn to move from your physical pressure before he learns to move from your mental pressure. You are developing the language of suggestion. The horse learns that if he doesn't yield to your suggestion, then he runs into the physical pressure of a swinging rope, stick or your hand as a consequence. The game is getting your horse to move without touching him. But if he doesn't move you will touch him until he does.
There's a distinct difference here that a horse really understands. If you hit a horse with harsh intentions, he'll blame you, lose trust or even fight back. Horses do not understand punishment. They only understand negative consequences. The big difference is that negative consequences happen instantly and there are no harsh emotions involved. If you are suggesting that the horse move and he doesn't, then he runs into the same physical object that was suggesting he move away, he learns that he should get out of the way faster. It is his responsibility. He won't blame you and he'll move away faster the second or third time.
One of the worst things you can do is lie to your horse by suggesting, with a physical backup coming, then not follow through. Your horse will have your number in no time, know that you're not going to follow through and disrespect you even more for it. He knows if you don't really mean to make him move around, then he must still be the leader. Your horse needs to know his leader doesn't lie. You must be as fair and just as a dominant horse would be.
To play The Driving Game, see if you can send your horse backward by shaking your hands at him as if you were flicking water. Move his front end by pointing towards his eye. Move his hindquarters so he'll face you by swinging the end of your rope at his hindquarters, even let it swat him if you need to follow through. Be very careful to stay out of kicking range. Use the rope to swat him while you stand near his shoulder. When he faces you, rub his head to help him understand he did the right thing. Play this game over and over until all you have to do is look at your horse's hindquarter like you want it to move and he will face you.