If I summed up the entirety of horsemanship, I would define it as a constant educational experience. You never know it all, it's just not possible.
We learn from and with the horse, and likewise, the horse is learning from and with us.
Establishing a Good Learning Environment
Have you looked at what type of learning environment supports you and your horse lately?
I don't just mean what motivates you to be most productive because learning is subjective and circular so progress might not necessarily look like progress at the moment.
But what motivates you to keep on trying even when things are tough, when you would rather be relaxing in a hammock sipping lemonade than running around an obstacle course with someone giving you direction?
A reward can be one tool to foster a healthy learning environment for the horse.
Ways to Reward Your Horse
Consider these types of rewards when you next work with your horse. Try them out, see how well they work for your individual style and relationship.
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A positive attitude
can be used to indicate the horse is doing well or on the correct path. If you aren't feeling particularly positive or high energy, fake it. Talk to your horse in an upbeat tone and stay light on your feet. Walk tall with ground covering strides.
When was the last time you looked forward to working with a grumpy co-worker or boss? Your horse will be much more willing every time he sees you if you approach him in a positive, happy and energetic way.
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Verbal praise
can be used to quickly tell the horse they're correct, good, excellent. Don't just pet your horse or release the pressure when they've done what you want. Remember to speak up and tell your horse what a good job they're doing at the moment. It can be as simple as a happy-toned, “ah!” to let him know he's on the right track.
You can't use your voice in competitions, but that doesn't mean using your voice is a bad thing in training, so speak up and reward your horse with your voice.
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Physical praise
like rubs and caresses can act like a good pat on the back when your horse has done a good job. A hard slug on the arm doesn't feel too good though, so remember to make your touch a rewarding experience and not a bruising one. Don't open hand slap your horse, rub them instead to say “good job.”
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Release the pressure
from time to time. Sometimes we can get caught up in work, work, work and forget to release the tension we're holding on the lead rope, lunge line or reins and just give our horse a breather. You'd be a little tense if someone led you around by the arm for an hour straight too, so give your horse some room to just be a horse and enjoy being in your company.
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Explore and observe
with your horse. While so much of our time spent is teaching the horse, we need to be open to learning from the horse too. Take time out today to observe your horse's natural tendencies with little interference, call it a Science experiment if it helps put you in the right mind-frame. Does your horse lean to the outside when you're trotting circles to the left, or pick up speed when walking in a particular spot of the arena?
Though the reward might not be that big in the moment, doing this exercise regularly can help open our creative mind to work with our horse's natural self instead of putting them in a rigid box. Your horse is an individual, take some time to study this individual.
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Play or get serious
You may need to take more time out to play with your horse. Get free from a strict regimen of training and reconnect with each other. Think of it like date night for a veteran married couple. Get a babysitter for the kids, pack a sack lunch and go have fun!
On the other hand, if you spend most of your time playing with your horse, you could benefit from setting up a more exacting lesson plan. Just like kids crave structured routine to help keep them focused, calm, and happy; our horse can find enjoyment from the same. Don't be surprised if, like a kid, he doesn't throw a little tantrum at first! It's all about balance though, so don't swing 360 degrees and get all serious every day – keep your play time too!
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Explore other disciplines
and take a break from your usual habit. When you identify with one particular sport – be it dressage or jumping or reining or western pleasure, etc – you can become afflicted with disciplinitis.
There are good exercises to be found in every discipline (with a few exceptions). Go explore other disciplines on occasion for a break from the daily routine.
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Put your horse first
Our horses always have something which they especially enjoy doing. Maybe it has nothing to do with riding at all but their favorite pastime is grazing or being hosed down on a hot day. A great grooming is generally well received too. If your horse prefers trail rides over lateral work then go mosey down the trail, or even do your warm-up or cool down by riding through the pasture on a loose rein.
Make Your Horse Fall in Love with Training
This list is far from exhaustive. I'm sure you've got some favorite rewards too, what can be added to this list?
My own boys particularly enjoy group grooming and being bathed loose in the paddock. Some days are dedicated to forming a grooming circle in the paddock, bonding and strengthening a relationship built on trust.
What new thing will you try with your horse today?
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I think Xenophon best said it, some 2300 years ago (too bad we don’t see followers of his believes, in our times)
“Supposing, when he is in the riding-field, you push him to a gallop until he is
bathed in sweat, and when he begins to prance and show his airs to fine
effect, you promptly dismount and take off the bit, you may rely upon
it he will of his own accord another time break into the same
prancing action. Such are the horses on which gods and heroes ride,
as represented by the artist. The majesty of men themselves is best
discovered in the graceful handling of such animals. A horse so
prancing is indeed a thing of beauty, a wonder and a marvel; riveting
the gaze of all who see him, young alike and graybeards. They will never
turn their backs, I venture to predict, or weary of their gazing so long
as he continues to display his splendid action. ”
Περὶ ἱππικῆς
I am sort of always a bit worried about the thing about releasing the pressure as a reward……because to me that says that having the pressure on is unpleasant for the horse because removing it is pleasurable?
I think of release of pressure like this — I can go to the gym and it feels really great to physically exert myself with great effort for a time. However, I would not want to do that all day every day. Taking a break from that intense focus and effort is just as satisfying, and is like giving the horse a release.
Another way to think of it is work. Let’s say you have a big team project with a fast-approaching deadline. So you work and work and work very hard to successfully finish the project on time. That can be satisfying, but only because there is an end-date. If you had to work at that pace forever without a break or release, you would burn out. In fact, people burn out all the time from this very thing. But, being able to work hard and then enjoy a release makes it possible to look forward to going back to work.