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Your Horse is Going to Spook |
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Your Horse is Going to Spook - Are You Ready?
by Josh Lyons and Keith Hosman
horsemanship101.com
Your horse is learning a movement when he's doing it wrong, not
when he's doing it right. That's the funny part. It's when he's doing it
wrong that he's learning it. If you come out pick up the reins and the
horse just accidentally stumbles upon what it is you wanted him to do,
then the horse doesn't really know what he did to that was right. But if
he pulls for an hour, pulling up, pulling down, speeding up, slowing
down, doing everything he can think of, then he finally finds, when I
release, that he's found the answer. What he's learned is that all the
mistakes he made are not the answer. The longer it takes, the better
he'll have learned it in the end.
We all get into bad habits. And it's going to take awhile to break the
bad habits that you've picked up over time. If your feet get behind you
as you ride, then there's nothing to stop you from flying forward if the
horse stops quickly. If we pull our arms out as we ride, extending them
out far from our bodies, then we have no strength to pull. It's simple
mechanics.
When we ride, we want to keep our hands in close, always close to our
belly buttons. That allows you to use maximum strength when you pull. If
you pull off with hands far out to the right or left, then you've
minimized your strength and you're off balance too. The more off balance
you get, the greater chance you have of getting thrown off if that horse
jumps or spooks. He'll see his shadow and put you on the ground. The
whole idea is to stay up in that saddle. So, keep your weight in your
stirrups and keep your feet in front of you.
It's not a matter of "if" your horse spooks, it's "when." It's not a
matter of how broke your horse is. Sooner or later it will see something
that makes it spook. You can't control your environment so you can't
blame your environment. If somebody comes up and throws something at
your horse or drops something in front of your horse, and your horse
spooks and you get bucked off, it's not their fault and it's not the
horse's fault. The first thing you do may be to blame that person – but
it's not their fault that your horse bolted or spooked. It has nothing
to do with them. It has to do with the fact that you lost control of
your horse. It's your fault. Because if you put your safety in their
hands, you're guaranteed to get hurt. It's your responsibility to train
and ride your horse correctly. Too many things can happen.
People who don't know anything about horses may come around your horse.
Your horse has to be trained to keep them safe. Other riders will do
things around your horse that doesn't bother their horses. Maybe they're
not bothered by things coming up suddenly behind them or hitting their
horse. They'll do things that they and their horses are used to –
without a thought to whether your horse is "used to" it or not. Their
horses is broke to this kind of stuff and they'll assume yours is too.
But when all of a sudden something happens to scare your horse you can't
blame them after you went and placed your safety in their hands. It's
your job, your responsibility to make sure that you have control of your
horse no matter what somebody else does around your horse. It's your
safety, don't ever put it in somebody else's hands, because I promise
you you'll get hurt.
About the authors:
Keith Hosman: Certified John Lyons Trainer, Keith Hosman is based near
San Antonio, TX and is available for clinics, lessons and training. He
frequently travels coast-to-coast conducting clinics.
Josh Lyons: A co-writer of many articles available on this site, Josh
Lyons is one of the most sought-after clinicians in the world. He offers
you and your horse a second chance or an enhancement of your existing
relationship. His gentle and objective methods, pioneered by his father
John Lyons, have helped novice rider and pro alike. For his tour
schedule or for more info, visit his site
www.LyonsLegacy.com
Disclaimer: Equine training can be a hazardous activity which may
subject the participants to possible serious injury. Keith Hosman, Josh
Lyons, Patrick Benson and their associates will not assume any liability
for your activities. Our newsletter, books and videos provide general
information, instruction and techniques that may not be suitable for
everyone. No warranty is given regarding the suitability of this
information, the instructions, and techniques to you or other
individuals acting under your instructions.
All Rights Reserved (TM) 2007, horsemanship101.com
No part of this website, including newsletter material and photos, may
be reproduced without our express written permission. |
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