When I am riding a horse on the trail, I often see a balloon stuck in a tree or cactus. When I am riding in a neighborhood, I see that people often tie balloons on posts or mailboxes to signal a special event. Zum needs to learn to stay calm even around strange blowing objects like balloons. Zum has never seen a balloon before! When I introduced Zum to a balloon, he was jumpy and uneasy!
Even if Zum doesn’t do what I ultimately want, I reward him each time he tries. There is body language that I can use that rewards him for his attempt to get it right. I back away from him, step to the side or look down. If I don’t reward him through yielding, I kill Zum’s incentive to comply. Even the slightest hint of Zum trying to do what I request is reason for me to reward him with a release of pressure. This is my yield of respect to Zum.
After a good physical effort, the best reward for Zum is a rest break. A good rub on his forehead or neck makes Zum relax and feel content. Verbal praise such as ‘Good boy!’ assures him he is doing just what I had hoped for. A relaxed lead rope tells Zum he is responding to my requests as I wish.
Zum doesn’t like things behind his ears. To train him to let me easily put his headstall on and off, I need to teach him that ropes on his head are not frightening. I always reward successive approximations to the final behavior that I desire. Eventually Zum will get to the calm place I want. I am shaping Zum with reward. I am his sculptress!
One of the first tricks I taught Zum is to touch an orange cone. This teaches him the word ‘touch.’ This also teaches him to lower his head to the ground.
I have two girlfriends, one in Phoenix and one in Santa Fe. Coincidentally, each woman has met a wealthy man and is madly in love with him. Whenever I speak with a girlfriend, she tells me how great her boyfriend is to her. Trips, new cars, money in her account, credit cards she can use, jewelry, massages, fancy dinners….I hear about all the fun they are each having with their boyfriends. If they ask me how I am, I tell them that I am having a love affair with a 3 year old colt named Zum!
If I am impatient, Zum will know and it will be harder for Zum to develop patience!
While reason reigns in human minds, horses follow their emotion and instinct. Zum reacts as he feels. He cannot groan or cry. But he can widen his eyes with concern. He can become repressed in his mind and body. Or he can become tense with resistance. Resistance carries a message to me. Something is wrong with my requests, my timing or Zum’s readiness. This is my clue to try something else. When Zum’s eyes soften and he moves forward with cheerful willingness and light feet, I know this is Zum’s smile to me. He feels my guidance motivated by my love and kindness towards him. He feels that he can trust and enjoy my presence as well as my requests.
Horses can make us better people!
The most important thing I have learned about training Zum is to preserve his good opinion of himself. I allow him to feel accomplished and confident. I always use positive reinforcement to let him know when he has done well. This is how I keep his attention and good attitude!
