AMA: How Do I Know If I’m Rushing My Horse’s Training?
I’m bringing along a green horse and my friend is encouraging me to enter him in his first three-phase next month. Training is going well but I’m afraid it’s too soon. Any advice?
“The development of the mind and body, either human or equine, to perform at its optimum goes through many stages before it reaches its peak. Along the way, it encounters mental and physical barriers, which must be overcome if it is to be the best it can be. Some of these challenges improve the resolve to succeed, while others leave scars that impede progress or even threaten the realization of the ultimate goal.
How do we keep our horses and our partnership with them on the right track?
Education should be an enlightening experience full of understanding, but the success of all forms of education depends on adhering to a progressive system: one step at a time, layer upon layer of information, you build a solid foundation, progress to the next level, and so on.
This applies to both physical and psychological challenges, especially in the early years of development. To move from one stage to the next requires a confidence in where you are and a belief that where you are going is within your capabilities.
Without this solid base, progress is uncertain. This is true of humans in their education but is even more true of horses whose education is guided by humans.”
– Eric Smiley
This excerpt is from “The Sport Horse Problem Solver: What Works, What Doesn’t and How To Make It All Better”, available at Trafalgar Square Books.
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