Overcoming Training Problems

From the June 2014 issue of The Stable Magazine – www.thestablemagazine.com/june2014

Everyone hits a snag in their training at least once in a while, for one of a million reasons. We take a look at some training tips to help make your training sessions less of a snag, and more of a success! 

Be patient: Always

Not all horses learn at the same pace. Each horse needs to take his time and become comfortable with each lesson before the next is taught. Skip things, and you’ll get into trouble later on!

Be consistent!

You need to make sure that you use the same cue for the same movement, time and time again. Same goes for your ‘rules’. If you smack your horse for rubbing his head on you one day, and the next, allow it, you’re being inconsistent. Be firm in what you will and won’t accept from your horse, and stick to your own rules.

Train with understanding

Think carefully about what you’re asking the horse to do, and if your question is clear enough to the horse. If you’re not getting the exact movement or response that you’re looking for, don’t think the horse is ‘stupid’, or misbehaving. Really think about what he already knows, and whether or not he is able to understand what you’d like him to do.

Be cool, calm & in control...

Chucking a hissy fit will not accomplish anything - nor will disciplining your horse for doing something that he doesn’t understand is wrong. The more you can tune in to your horse’s reactions, and understand why he’s doing what he is, the better you’ll be able to further instruct him. He needs to understand what he is being taught, not just to do that one particular thing, because he fears a smack if he doesn’t do it correctly.

Punishment, harsh bits & heavy hands...

Have no place in the training of a young horse, and should only ever be used by experienced riders. The general rule: If you don’t understand what it is for, or how it can assist in your training - don’t use it. A snaffle should be more than adequate for a young horse, but your rein contact is more important than your choice of bit. Even a snaffle in the wrong hands can ruin a horse’s mouth - be it a green horse or experienced schoolmaster, although the latter are generally much more forgiving.

Don’t get ahead of yourself

Baby steps are the way to go! Don’t go from teaching leg yielding, and then ask for a canter pirouette. Overfacing your horse (in all things!) can lead to a frightened or confused (and no doubt frustrated!) equine. Don’t be frustrated at taking things one small step at a time. You should be pleased with any progress, and reward the horse for each small step.

Keep training sessions short

For the mental and physical health of your horse, training should be short and sweet! In many cases, working on a new dressage movement, grid combination or similar will be working muscles that haven’t been previously built up. This is a process, not an instant training session. Keep at it for long hours, and your horse will end up sour, bored and cranky!

Variety in the schedule!

Yes, you must learn that dressage test or work on your flying changes before that event in a month’s time, but you have a month to work on it. You’ll get much more out of a willing partner. Don’t forget that you ride because you ENJOY it - so mix up your training with trail rides, cross country outings, and arena time. Everything in moderation!

Warming up, cooling down & break time

Just as important as the training itself.. if not more-so! Break your session into segments of say 15 or 20 minutes. A good solid warm up, involving stretching, with lots of walking on a loose rein. Build up to trotting, and have a short canter warm up. Have your first 15 minute training session, followed by a loose rein walk and praise. Rein in again for a second session of 15 minutes, a break, and so on.  A young horse shouldn’t be working hard for more than around 45 minutes, a few times a week, and should be given a light walk the day following exercise.

Balance & the young horse

It takes time and training to achieve a well rounded and balanced horse - and you should always take into consideration that you need to ensure that your horse is comfortable and well balanced travelling on both reins - in both directions. Endeavour to work evenly on both sides, and always ensure that your weight in the saddle is evenly distributed, and that your stirrups are even. Help the young horse by working at the trot, on both reins, building up to trotting poles. Start out with large circles - you can gradually make them smaller as your horse develops muscle tone and becomes more balanced with you aboard.

Impulsion & working from the hindquarters

A young horse can’t be expected to collect himself at an early stage, and it is unfair to ask him to do so without prior training. What you can ask for however is impulsion, which will help to condition him and develop muscles necessary for frame work later in training. You want soft movement with impulsion and energy, but a slower controlled energy, with the horse moving forward in a relaxed, yet energetic way.

Confidence is key!

When most people think about confidence problems, they picture the nervous rider. But what about the nervous horse? Some horses can develop mental blocks with particular training exercises or even situations. One very simple example is a refusal to jump an obstacle. If the horse feels overfaced by the jump or if there is something ‘spooky’ about it, the horse may flat out refuse to go anywhere near it. Similarly, the horse may resist when learning a new exercise. So how do you solve this problem of what you may perceive to be a disobedient horse? Firstly, if you can determine what exactly the horse dislikes about the exercise/obstacle, perhaps you can eliminate the problem. Good in theory, until the next time he is faced with a similar situation, he will again resist, and become uncooperative. The key in this instance is to take a step back in your training. Solidify the foundations, and forget about the problem exercise until you feel the horse is ready to cope with it. Back to our ‘spooky’ jump scenario, perhaps doing some smaller obstacles will give him the confidence needed to tackle the higher jump, or attempting to accustom the horse to whatever is putting him off may be a solution. You need to know which ‘battles’ you can win. If your horse refuses a jump, ask yourself what you may have done to put him off. Fix any problem you (or the surrounding environment) may be causing, and approach the fence a second time. If you can’t win this ‘battle’, compromise. Lower the fence, and ask him to try again. Even stepping over a lowered jump is a win for both you and the horse. The aim is never a ‘quick fix’ - but building to success in everything that you do.

Health & Wellbeing

If your training has hit a snag, or your horse is ‘misbehaving’ and you’re at a loss as to how to solve the problem, start with having your horse’s back, teeth, and saddle checked. More often than not, problems with equipment or with the health of your horse can be the cause of problems, and strangely, these possibilities are often overlooked, and instead, the horse is labelled as dangerous or disobedient.

Be honest & stay positive

Recognise your faults and your achievements - both are important. Never take a failure personally, and always strive to better yourself. If you don’t understand how to do something, recognise that fact, and ask someone more experienced in your chosen field for assistance. It’s better to ask a question or two than to ruin the training of your horse. If you have a bad day, put it down to experience - learn from it - and wipe the slate clean for the next training session. Don’t carry that attitude in. If you start out feeling negatively, you won’t get anywhere.

Keep the horse thinking!

The horse should be paying attention to you at all times - this is when half-halts come in. Practice even on the trails can help to keep your horse an attentive student! Give your horse instructions when necessary and keep him thinking, but ride with purpose and don’t harass the horse with aids from every direction.

Minimise distractions & time constraints

When you’re schooling choose a place that is free of distractions for both you and your horse, so you can both get down to business and communicate with each other. Training should be done in small effective sessions, where both you and the horse can work together, distraction free. Time is another factor. There’s no point telling yourself that you have enough time for a training session with half an hour to spare. A time limit shouldn’t be placed on any training session, and your time should always be used wisely.

Fix problems with training, not with extra equipment

Is your horse hard mouthed? Chances are, you may have changed to a stronger bit. Is your horse a head-tosser? Got a martingale? Yep, we thought so. Instead of using equipment for quick fixes, many of these irritating habits (like pulling on the reins) can be fixed using training. If your horse pulls on the reins, try to decrease your rein contact. Always ride from your seat, and improve your balance. You should never hold the reins for balance - and if you do, we recommend being lunged with no reins to hold, and no stirrups! You’ll soon find your seat - or the ground! Changing to a harsher bit and riding in the same manner will only exacerbate the problem, because in the end, you’re riding the same way, and the horse will still resist your contact and pull on your hands. As with any training or riding problem, start at the source - which is NOT your horse’s hard mouth. A hard mouthed pony starts in the hands of an unbalanced rider, and no amount of extra tack or equipment will completely solve the problem.

Set goals & work toward them

Achieving small successes can really improve your attitude and confidence. Remember that when you’re training your horse you don’t have to be perfect. Not everything goes according to plan, and that’s perfectly fine. You are always aiming to improve on what you have already done to build your knowledge and skills. Training at home is where you can sound out problems and work through them. Use your training time as an opportunity to work with your horse towards a common goal.

Rewards & Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding your horse for the correct thing can be as simple as releasing the pressure - or ceasing to give the cue or aid you were applying. All positive behaviours should be rewarded. Rewards and praise should be given instantly, to let the horse know that they have done exactly as you’ve asked. In time and with practice, your horse will become accustomed to your aids. You should always make aids firm, but light, and reward the horse for obeying them correctly. Gradually, your aids can be made lighter and lighter, and with correct training and positive reinforcement, your horse will become responsive, light and attentive!

No matter your chosen sport, or your problem, these training tips can serve to help eliminate problems in the training process. Above all, you should have fun with your horse, and enjoy learning new things together and build a solid relationship. it will all fall into place with a bit of hard work, time, effort and patience.

Thank you to The Stable Magazine for this article, which was originally published in their June 2014 issue. Check out The Stable Magazine online now for FREE. Read this article and many more at www.thestablemagazine.com