Home
Excerpts
from
The Power of Positive Horse
Training:
- What's "Combat
Training?"
Archived clinics:
Links:
|
What's "Combat Training?"
An excerpt from Chapter 14, The Power of Positive Horse Training
Also called bombproofing, combat training is an
intensive program to safely introduce horses to as many varied and
potentially frightening situations as possible, with as many positive
results as possible.
For horses, the world of people must be a continually puzzling and
sometimes terrifying place. When a horse’s every instinct tells him to
run away from loud noises, fluttering and rustling objects, unsteady
footing and possible predators, we ask him to stand and work quietly.
To set up a program that asks him to meet and successfully overcome his
natural fears, we have to respect his need for safety through flight.
In other words, we must not force him into anything he’s not ready for.
It’s critical to make each horse feel safe, encourage him to trust in
his human leaders, and allow him to use his natural curiosity to learn
about new objects and experiences.
Trainers can (and should) begin small confidence-building exercises
very early in a horse’s life, literally from birth. Rustling paper, the
hiss of a spray can, the sights and sounds of moving bicycles, barking
dogs, farm animals, traffic and noisy children—these are all part of
everyday life. If your horse hasn’t learned to accept these common
experiences—if he lives a secluded, solitary or unusually regimented
life—it’s your responsibility as a trainer to seek out or create
situations in which you can introduce these basic experiences.
Each time your horse learns to manage a carefully controlled “danger,”
you’ll reward him with your approval. As he learns to look for your
guidance in unfamiliar situations, he’ll be more willing to accept your
leadership in all aspects of your relationship. The larger rewards for
both of you should include increased confidence, better trust and
communication, and greater safety in potentially scary real-life
situations.
© 2005 The
Power
of Positive Horse Training by Sarah Blanchard. All rights
reserved.
|
