If you are a horse owner, you will probably understand the value of training. It is like educating the animal to behave well and obey its master. Moreover, it is a lifelong process to keep the equine obedient down the line. Professional training is an investment rather than an expense, and you must not skimp on it. When a seasoned trainer teaches tricks to the animal, they go the extra mile to keep it happy and content. A lethargic equine is hard to handle, and you may even face the risk of injuries with it. Here are the happy horse training tips that seasoned professionals rely on.
Keep the sessions short
The first piece of advice is to keep the sessions short. Opt for 15-30 minute sessions at a time, and take breaks between them. Pick an activity to work on during each session, and quit when you get results. You may even take a break earlier if the animal seems lethargic, sick, or tired. Extended sessions can wear down the equine, so make sure you time them properly.
Treat the animal as an individual
The worst thing you can do is to compare your horse to others. You will end up pushing the animal too hard and making it unhappy with the training attempt. Treat it like an individual and let it learn and progress at its own pace. Do not let competitors and celebrity equines define your training plans. Keep in mind the comfort level of your pet, and design a personalized schedule accordingly.
Learn your horse’s language
Like any other pet, horses have their own language and expect their trainers and masters to understand it. Experts at Downunder Horsemanship emphasize the value of communication during training. Watching the animal closely and taking note of its actions is a good way to understand its body language. You may find it hard to decipher to start with, but it gets easier to pick the cues as you pay more attention.
Reward small successes
Have realistic expectations when you train your equine. You cannot expect the horse to become a start overnight, but rewards keep it going. Start by incentivizing small successes so that the animal knows it is doing a good job. You need nothing fancy as a prize. Give it a bite-sized treat or a pat on the back. Even the release of pressure is good enough to appreciate good work.
Be a kind and confident leader
Horses are animals of habit, and they obey authority figures. If you want the animal to respect you, be a leader. Showcase confidence as the alpha in your herd, but be a kind and empathic leader too. The equine will develop a comfortable relationship with you and obey without resistance. Being aggressive does more harm than good as it makes the animal fearful and nervous.
Good training is about ensuring that your horse is happy and comfortable. It will be much easier and safer to handle the equine and get it to do what you expect.
