| © 2004 Andy Curry | | | | Lastly, I'm a big advocate of being careful how |
| All Rights Reserved | | | | you talk to your horse. |
| To the uninitiated, voice commands for the horse | | | | If you use commands that sound threatening (by |
| are nothing more than words. But to the horse | | | | yelling a command), you can actually increase |
| they are only sounds. | | | | your horse's heart rate, frighten and confuse him, |
| Obviously, horses cannot speak our language. | | | | and he may take longer to learn. |
| Since they cannot speak our language we should | | | | For instance, a popular command to teach a |
| think through what we say to them when we | | | | horse is the word "step". When driving a horse, |
| want certain responses from them. | | | | using this command means for the horse to |
| Take the word "whoa" for instance. I have no | | | | move forward...take a step. When teaching it, be |
| doubt this is the most abused word in the human | | | | careful not to yell the command because it may |
| horse language. When the rider says "whoa" then | | | | be perceived by the horse as a punishment. |
| the horse should know to stop. | | | | But if you calmly say "step" you will get better |
| But the problem is this. Often the word "whoa" is | | | | results than if you yell it. Often times, when a |
| said when the rider wants the horse to slow | | | | horse isn't "getting what you want", there's a |
| down...not stop. Before you know it, the rider has | | | | tendency to get frustrated and thus, mad - and |
| conditioned the horse to slow down at the word | | | | your voice volume can escalate. Then you're back |
| "whoa" instead of stopping. Then the rider can't | | | | to sounding threatening and perhaps your horse |
| understand why the "stupid" horse won't stop | | | | will take even longer to understand what you |
| when he says "whoa!". | | | | want. |
| Telling your horse a command when you mean | | | | I've seen where horses were being taught to |
| for it to do something else is lying to your horse. | | | | drive where the owner taught the word "step". |
| You never lie to your horse because the results | | | | When teaching it, he would loudly say "STEP!". It |
| you get will not be what you want. Jesse Beery, | | | | wasn't long before the horse was actually balking. |
| a famous horse trainer from the 1800's, knew | | | | Then the owner was getting frustrated and kept |
| this well and was the first to say "don't lie to your | | | | repeating his command even louder...as if the |
| horse". | | | | horse couldn't hear him. |
| Thus, when you say "whoa" to your horse, you | | | | It reminds me of a show I once saw on |
| must only say it because you want to stop...not | | | | television. One english speaking man was talking |
| slow down. | | | | with a spanish speaking man. The spanish speaking |
| Also, when using voice commands be sure to use | | | | man knew no english. The english speaking man |
| simple words with as few syllables as possible. | | | | was trying to communicate with the spanish |
| Thus, if you want a horse to back up then say | | | | speaking man. After a minute of obvious |
| "back". If you want him to walk then say "walk". | | | | noncommunication, the english speaking man |
| If you want him to trot then say "trot". | | | | spoke slower and louder. Unfortuantely, the |
| Next, when using voice commands be sure to | | | | spanish speaking man didn't understand english |
| associate an action with the command. For | | | | whether or not it was spoke loud, soft, fast, or |
| instance, let's say you're teaching your horse to | | | | slow. |
| gallop at the command "gallop". So while in the | | | | In summary, use short words. Use the word |
| round pen you use one of your aids to teach him | | | | when you want a certain action - only say the |
| to gallop. So first you say "gallop" then bring in the | | | | word when you want that particular action. If you |
| aid to motivate his movement to a higher speed. | | | | want your horse to slow down then say |
| If you want to teach your horse to walk then | | | | something like "easy". (Don't say "slow" because |
| start your horse around the pen in the opposite | | | | he may take it for "whoa".) |
| direction from which you taught him to gallop. | | | | Next, associate actions with commands and |
| When he's gone around several times, stop him, | | | | calmly talk to your horse. Horses can hear very |
| and pet him. If he goes too fast use the word | | | | well and yelling command will not make the |
| "walk" and have him go slower by making a slight | | | | command any more clear - if anything, it will |
| move to the front of him. | | | | frighten and confuse him. |