Horse’s motivation for training and learning
Often people simply do not know how to communicate with the horse and therefore trying to replace this lack of knowledge with treats. But what do we know about motivation? From the first glance, it may look so simple…types of pressure techniques, reinforcements… but is it all? Do we really understand the psychology of the horse? What does it need? If you choose the right approach, you can find the key to the motivation of any horse, regardless of gender and age. But before you begin to look for the right keys for your horse and dive into books, I would like to draw your attention to the words like justice, fairness and, in fact, the choice of which is necessary to provide the horse to get her attention and interest to cooperate with us.
Remember that horses are like children to some extent, and are very honest with their answers and their reactions can always be used to analyze the correctness of our own actions. If you want to engage a child into cooperation, give him the right to decide something, give him the right to choose, a certain share of independence and you will see the enthusiasm with which the child would start to work. The same applies to horses. Therefore, the topic about the horse and the motivation arises a question: Does the horse really have a choice? Or our classes are turning into a regular session, where the horse is just tolerating your presence, fulfilling all of your requests just to get out of the ring as soon as possible?
This is why it is important to have a clear lesson plan, where you offer a horse to play, to work, to learn. It is particularly important that the horse wanted to engage with opened arena’s gates, in the field or any other open area – this this how you would really see that the horse is really motivated.
In addition, never forget that we have a great responsibility for the life and health of the horse. And the main principle that we must always be guided by is the analysis of our motives and actions in order not to harm the horse not to force the physical training, do not push psychologically.
When I say that I create a situation where the horse would choose the right answer for me - it does not mean that I am getting my horse tricked into something. It only means that I offer horse pay attention to me, and once achieved, my task is to convince the horse that it is interesting and comfortable to stay with me. Offer the horse the journey to go with me through all the stages, all the layers of a huge learning iceberg – Join Up, Confidence, Interest, and Comfort. In a sense, with this approach we are "doomed" for success. However, if you get carried away with creation of that “perfect” situation (especially with applying all kinds of pressure) and forget about horse’s individual personality, her opinion, her current mental stage and mood, yes, the horse would continue to perform all your tasks and requests but you would lose the connections with her heart turning her into a machine that acts on command. That is why I am against training the horse using 100% of “famous” Natural Horsemanship methods. I'm always open to simple communication and BE with the horse, no requirements, without conditions, without creating situations for the "choice" but to “feel” it. And this is the most wonderful moments of our lives together! That is what honesty is all about do not to forget that your horse is first of all your friend. In racing through the training and getting satisfied that the horse is getting quite and obedient – we are forgetting the simplest things - to be thankful and love the horse…. We are losing the ability to simply be with a horse ... and then wonder what would happen to the horse's motivation? By offering choices to horses we have two directions to go- the horse must understand that she needs to guess and figure out what you want, and the second directions –is to have a dialogue of love. If you offer a choice to a child - often it ends up with meltdowns, because he cannot choose by himself, he needs your guidance, so does the horse. She needs someone to “win” her, to care for her, to offer safety and security. When situation allows (and it does not have any safety concerns) - don’t be afraid to offer your horse choices - without creating situations, without your own benefit. Just ask where she wanted to go for a walk today and be open to her suggestions. Be careful though - the horse always understand your signals when the game is over - we should not forget that in certain situations you need to take full control in your own hands.
