Listening to your horse means being able to read what he’s saying through his body language. Horses express fear, joy, confidence, anxiety, confusion and frustration through movements and actions – when you watch for these behavioural signs and respond to them, you start to open up the conversation between you and your horse.
Even though we’re talking about ‘behaviour’, you can see that it’s really about ’emotions’. How your horse feels causes his behaviour so emotions and behaviour are inseparable.
When we’re looking into the topic of choice and making sure that our horses can safely tell us when they’re struggling with something, it comes down to observing your horse’s behaviour to figure out how he’s feeling about it and then responding appropriately. This gives horses a voice in their training and is key to a fair, safe and trusting relationship.
This video looks into HOW horses express different ways of saying ‘yes’ (that they’re happy with something) or ‘no’ (that they’re unhappy with something).
Let me know your thoughts and questions below.
➣ This is a short extract from a full series of videos on Giving Horses Choice in the CT Club. They cover everything from the emotions, behaviour and importance of choice right up to limiting choice and when and how to restrict choice in your horse’s training or management.
The CT Club is an online membership site where you can get access to hundreds of step-by-step training videos on training your horse using positive reinforcement. You can find out more and sign up here We look forward to seeing you there 🙂
➤ You can also find out more in the #1 bestselling Connection Training BOOK 📖 Get it on Amazon (search for ‘Connection Training’) or download Chapter 1 free here for a preview 👀
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