Ask Clinton: Asking More of a Horse

Q: My horse does everything I ask of him, but he takes his own sweet time doing it. So I amped up the pressure and he went berserk. What did I do wrong? Should I lay off the pressure because he can’t take it? – Amy C.

A: Most people have low expectations when it comes to what they expect their horses to do. They accept mediocre performances when their horses are more than capable of putting in more effort and reaching the next level. Good on you, mate, for stepping up your game and expecting more out of your horse! What you experienced is very common, so don’t be discouraged. Since you’ve been working with your horse, he has gotten away with putting in very little effort and you rewarded him for it. Now you’re telling him that what you accepted before isn’t cutting it, and he isn’t happy about it.

Think of it as if you had let your teenage son sit on the couch all day and play video games for the last 18 years. Then one day, you told him he had to go out and get a job. He probably wouldn’t do it with a smile on his face. In fact, he’d probably throw a fit when you first confronted him. Your horse is going to do the same thing.

My advice is to continue asking your horse to respond immediately. Not when he feels like it, but right now! That’s how you’ll get him to the next level. However, be conscious that you are applying pressure effectively and not being a barbarian and giving the horse a reason to overreact. When I say applying pressure effectively, I mean that you’re using rhythm and always starting with the lightest amount of pressure possible. Then, if the horse doesn’t respond, you gradually increase the pressure. As soon as the horse tries, be quick to acknowledge his effort and give him a release of pressure. Horses learn from the release of pressure, not the pressure itself.

You’ll find that once you get your horse over the initial shock of having to step up his game, he’ll readily respond with energy as soon as you make a suggestion.