My Soap Box

Earlier this year Bill and I attended a clinic presented by a nationally acclaimed and world renowned horseman.  

For the first demonstration this clinician worked with his exceptionally well trained 15 year old quarter horse mare showing groundwork techniques, and continued by discussing the psychology of the horse.  We spent this entire time realizing that what he said was the same that we say, over and over, almost to the exact same wording.  What he did during the groundwork demonstration was no different to what we do.  We felt validated in our training and teaching techniques, and found a new sense of confidence in ourselves by watching this professional work.  And he did work hard, immediately, to produce the results needed from both his own horse, and a raw, green demonstration horse.  Again, how often do I tell people to put the hard work in, break a sweat, take the time it takes and make the effort necessary?  Do as little as possible but as much as necessary for the result you need?  Furthermore, even this exceptionally well trained horse reacted suddenly when the clinician was demonstrating a sensitization procedure, and he had to work to desensitize her, repeatedly, until she accepted the same action.  How many times had this horse been desensitized to this action?  For how many years?  In how many situations, all over the country?  Too many to count, and yet she still quite dramatically over-reacted at that moment in time.  I am not picking fault in this clinician, just using this as an example that a horse is a horse, and you cannot predict every eventuality and you never take away the instinct that Mother nature instilled for survival.  Indeed, his comment was “why did she do that?  how the hell do I know?”.  Again, validating what we try to teach all the time; that horses are unpredictable and despite many months or years of good training unexpected things will happen, and is not the fault of the horse, handler or trainer.  It is just how horses are.

On another demonstration while working with the green horse (remember, this is a ‘super-trainer’) the horse did test him repeatedly, despite following all his program procedures.  The horse made him work hard, physically and mentally, and yes the end result was a compliant, respectful (how many times do I need to tell people to gain their horses respect first, and everything else will fall into place?) and submissive animal, and yes, the horse repeatedly made contact with his ‘training stick’ – but we do have to correct horses at times, and that is not abuse!  The trainer stressed human safety first and foremost (sound familiar?) and then the safety of the horse, and also that a respectful horse is safer to work with. 

As you know I do not blow my own trumpet, I do not have a huge ego, both of these unattractive characteristics inhibit the opportunity to learn (and neither did this trainer exhibit either of these characteristics, he stressed that learning about training horses is the school of hard knocks, sweat, blood and bruises) but I do know that I could have worked that same green horse with the same results?  Would I have achieved the results in a shorter or longer timeframe?  Who knows?  Only the horse has the answer to that question.

During the advanced riding demonstration we were somewhat disappointed.  The clinician’s riding skills were obviously rusty, and I feel bad for him.  As trainers, seldom do we have enough time to hone and improve our own riding skills as our time is spent working with other people’s horses.  Please don’t think I am being critical, I just want you to know what Bill and I observed.  There were late lead changes, disunited canters, and on at least three occasions quite drastic loss of balance (see, it happens to the best riders in the world) and yes this is a great horseman, and excellent rider who knows his horse so well.  His ‘professional clinician’ assistant (one of only two people to have completed his four year apprenticeship) showed amateur riding skills.  She struggled with her diagonals, lacked a secure lower leg and therefore had a loose and ineffective seat, and was obviously struggling to keep a consistent gait and ride effective transitions.  Did everyone notice this?  I doubt it; you need to have an experienced eye to be able to see these issues and after so many years teaching riding, to myself and to Bill, these faults were glaringly obvious, however to the untrained or novice eye, they were probably unnoticeable.  Again, I am not picking holes, but I am making justified observations.  Remember, I am highly critical of my own riding skills (that is how you improve, right!) but I again came away from the clinic feeling confident and even quite proud of my seat, my technique and my ability to work a horse correctly, English, western, the discipline doesn’t matter.

This clinician presents a great training program.  Many of his techniques we use in our training program (and have been doing so for many, many years, before marketing machines came along and put fancy names to centuries old techniques so that people smarter than I would make more money!).  Horses have not changed, but training has evolved to become more natural and less oppressive and cruel techniques are used in these times, and this is a good thing.  But one thing remains the same, respect, respect, respect. All training programs of substance are based on this. However, be wary of  generalized DVD ‘training programs’ because one size does not fit all when it comes to training horses and people.  Every horse is different, every owner is different and training should be ‘custom’ made to take these factors into account.  What is the age/physical/mental ability of the horse?  Of the owner/handler?  How confident is the handler? What skills do they possess?  Are there limitations to their riding skills?  Are they fit enough to work the horse effectively?  It is hard work!  Yes, you will learn from watching DVD’s, from attending clinics, and from watching trainers work.  However you won’t become a good trainer just because you have purchased the clinicians training series, stick, or special halter - yes certain halter designs will make your job easier but it’s not the tools, it’s the hands they are held in, that makes the difference and produces the results necessary.  You will learn by investing time, money and dedication working with your horses, other horses and working with a competent, experienced trainer on a regular basis (here’s my advertising kicking in!).   But you have to be prepared to listen and learn, appreciate and respect the voice of experience, and realize that horses are horses and mistakes will be made by horse and trainer, and, good grief, even by the ‘special’ trainer with his ‘to die for’ horse!

So, why am I on my soapbox?

Because I lose sleep over these issues, honestly, I really do.  People don’t listen, therefore they don’t learn, and they are always looking for the quick fix and it doesn’t work that way with horses.  And, this is an instant gratification society where people are judged by results, results, results.  Working with horses, riding, handling horses is a constant learning experience and should not be a goal orientated pastime.  I would bet money that people who only follow the ‘special’ trainers DVD training program spend most of their time on groundwork only, if, and IF, they have any riding skills they might be just about able to walk and trot in the saddle and a select few who already had prior riding skills beforehand, would be able to canter and ride some advanced maneuvers.  There is no substitute for taking lessons on a well-trained (remember, it’s a horse, not a machine, anything can still happen) from an experienced instructor (ok, advertising a little again!) in order to become a good rider and all around knowledgeable horse person.  But, all joking about advertising aside, it is so very true.  It amazes me how many of the most novice riders seem to think they don’t need riding lessons, yet experienced, effective confident riders who I might even allow to ride my ‘best’ horse, KNOW that they still need lessons to stay effective and perhaps even improve some more.  Furthermore, the novice horseperson will often buy the novice/green horse, to ‘learn together’.  Agghh!  What do I always say?  “Green and green makes black and blue’.  What did our infamous clinician say on Saturday?  “Green and green is a recipe for disaster’.  Sound familiar?   To me, that shows the ignorance on the part of the novice horse person for which it is usually the horse that suffers.  Furthermore, the clinician pointed out that no-one should take on the responsibility and challenge of working with a young horse under saddle unless they are competent riding walk, trot and canter.  This is to try and prevent accidents and incidents, because usually it is due to the fault of the rider/handler that the horse loses confidence after such a negative experience and only an experienced handler can then work on fixing the problem.  When it comes to stressful incidents, horses have the memories of elephants.  Remember, instinct prevails, survival comes first.

So, in stepping down from my soapbox I have a few closing statements:

Remember to gain your horses respect first and foremost, don’t try and become their friend and saviour, be a leader and then your horse will trust you and you will make progress.  Don’t try and learn everything from a DVD.  Put in the time, effort, sweat, broken fingernails, time, effort, sweat, bruises, TIME, EFFORT, SWEAT  that is necessary and be tougher on yourself to become better horse people. 

Appreciate and respect the voice of experience, don’t constantly contradict, ask questions like ‘why did ‘little precious’ do this, that and the other’ or try and find fault or issue with an experienced trainers methods.  I’m talking about having more respect for me and my training crew, Bill and Kerry.  As much as it may peeve you, we do know more about your horse than you do.  Yes, really, even if you don’t keep your horse here, I can figure he/she out in a very short time and know how to work that horse based on my findings. 

Your horse is not a large pet, it is approximately 1000lbs of flight instinct, and you will never change that fact.  Respect what you are working with and expect no less than 100% respect in return.  Correcting your horse is not a sin, think of this as a parent-child relationship – would you endure constant bad behaviour from your child?  I hope not, yet your child does not weigh 100lbs and won’t run you over in one or two quick steps, yet so often people let their horses behave in completely unacceptable ways.  Don’t do it; you, the horse or someone around you will eventually get hurt, I can guarantee that.

I have found a new confidence in my teaching and training methods and techniques, I am an experienced, talented rider and I know that any rider who spends dedicated time with me will become a good rider.  What about talent? If you don’t have natural talent that is fine, but you will have to work harder.  WORK?  Yes, you will have to work harder.  If you do have talent, then you are blessed, but make sure you work harder still to make the most of the talent you have.  Nothing grieves me more than to see talent go to waste, however if you lack talent but show dedication, commitment and work hard, you have my full respect.  I know that my training techniques work (I haven’t yet thought of fancy words for them so I can market myself and become wealthy, although I have considered changing the name of the business to ‘UpOver Horsemanship’, of course to reflect the fact that we teach jumping, what do you think?) because I have worked with and achieved great results with horses of all temperaments, breeds and sizes.  I own six broke horses, and you can actually ride every one of them, alone, in company, arena, trail, shows, jumping, trail obstacles.  Even our babies are just about ‘whatever’ in their attitude despite what they are presented with.  It takes time and work, that’s all.

I sincerely want to help people with their horses.  I care not about blue ribbons or national recognition, I’m too old for that now - and I just want enough money in the bank to pay the bills.  I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ horse trainer who will be with you every step of the way, through good and bad, and will endeavour to help you become better horse people.  However I would like to see more dedication, commitment and effort.  Don’t work your horse if it is dangerously windy or too cold to breathe, however do toughen up and get out there if it’s mildy windy, a little chilly (I work horses in 18F and I do warm up because I put the physical effort in, can you?).  If you never work your horse on a windy day living in eastern Colorado is going to limit your horse days somewhat, and you need to be able to cope with situations, not avoid them.

Let’s see more respect for me and my crew and the years and years of collective experience we have to offer, it’s probably close to 100 years with horses all told, let’s see more dedication from those of you who really, truly want to improve, and let’s work together to make our horses’ world a better one, and then perhaps I can get a full nights sleep – and if you don’t believe that I lose sleep over this, ask Bill  J

Heels down!

Sue Borders ABRS ITA

P.S.  I think I’m only half way down off my soapbox, there may be more to follow….

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