Reading Horse
Your
Palm Partnership Training™
Building a Partnership with Your Horse
Before we start training outside the box (a confined
area), it is important to recognize and learn
how to read the horse to tell if he has inner energy
and playfulness that needs to be released through
forced exercise like longeing.
Many riders do not realize that any healthy, fit horse has some
level of inner energy that must be released before he can concentrate
on the task the rider will be asking him to do. The
level of inner energy can vary among horses, but is always
there. It may be present in a healthier dose in higher strung
or sensitive horses.
Most riders will also face another issue when training outside the box.
Their horses may be overly sensitive and more high-strung than usual
when taken into new surroundings. Riders tend to expect that the
horse will work and perform in new surroundings in the same way as
he does at home. They do not realize that a horse will nearly always
be different in a new and different environment. This is especially
true of horses that are not ‘seasoned’ - - those who have not become
experienced in going different places and traveling many miles over
many years.
Probably one of the hardest, but most important, things to learn is how
to read a horse to know if he has inner energy that should be released
or is calm and ready for schooling. One of the most obvious signs of
inner energy are his ears moving very fast and his head moving side to
side. Under saddle the ears and head are an easy indicator to observe
because they are right in front of the rider! We can see tension or
relaxation of the horse’s mouth while on the ground or hear him be
nervous under saddle with noises like grinding his teeth. Relaxed and
soft eyes indicate acceptance, while bulging eyes show alarm.
His breathing is an important indicator, especially when riding outside.
A horse will always try to smell with big breaths if he is unsure or afraid,
before he spooks. His skin, whether it is relaxed or tensed tight and
twitching like there is a fly on it, communicates his mood. Also, another
very obvious indicator of alarm in your horse is his tail. If the horse is
wringing or switching the tail, he is irritated or frustrated.
While doing a forced exercise, like longeing, a horse will tell you if he is
playful and has inner energy to release through these common signs:
(1) shaking his head, like he is saying “no”, (2) flicking his ears with
tight or tense muscles in his neck and body, (3) drastic loss of attention,
and (4) wanting to run, buck, kick up heels, or kick at you.
If the horse is communicating with one or any of these actions, it is
important to work him to release his energy, instead of trying to calm
him down. Working him means making the horse go forward, but not
running like a maniac. While longeing, if he starts to run out of control,
put both hands on the longe line, lean back and use a checking pull,
instead of a constant pull, to bring him back to a controlled speed and
keep his head to the inside. Get him to exercise at the trot, then walk,
back to the trot, then back to canter. Trot should be a square trot, not
a jog. Do not let your horse cross-canter (left lead in front, right lead
behind). If he does, bring him back to trot, balance and get organized,
then go back to canter.
Let the forward motion help you evaluate his level of inner energy.
When the horse begins releasing it, his stride will become smoother.
The tenseness in his body will relax. His tail will relax and swing with
his gait. His nostrils will flare and the veins in his neck will pop out,
even in cool spring weather. These are signs that inner energy is
releasing. His head, eyes, and ears will lose their tenseness or quick
movement. When one ear cocks toward you, his concentration is coming
back to you. He will begin to respond quicker to commands.
When you think his inner energy is released, test him by stomping
your feet or clap your hands while he is longeing. If he shows any of
the four signs of inner energy, he needs more work to get it out before
schooling.
Your Next Step…
If your horse’s past reactions or behavior while schooling outside the
box surprised or concerned you, prepare to deal with them by bringing
longeing gear along on the next ride. Attach the longe line to the
saddle, leave the halter on the horse, stick a shorter 3-foot longe whip
in the back of your pants or some other place where it will be safe and
easy to carry.
As soon as the horse shows signs of nervousness, or becoming high
strung or distracted, get off, control him on the ground, and longe him
when you can find a safe place on the trail. Lead him to an open area
where he can be worked. Don’t worry that getting off will cause him to
repeat a misbehavior just to get you off his back. This will not happen
if the rider has a plan to take this action. However, if the rider jumps off
in fright or worry, the horse will sense it. This will reinforce to the horse
that misbehaving will intimidate the rider.
Remember, a horse knows what we are thinking. We are all afraid
of falling off; it is a natural reaction. Get the horse’s inner energy out
first. If you are worried or frightened in the saddle, get on the ground
and take charge of the horse. Riding with a friend on a very seasoned
horse will help your ‘green’ horse on the trails. It will make schooling
outside the box safer and more fun for you and your horse.
70 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com TRAINING & Showing
EE
Lynn’s Training Tip…
If you are planning on training “outside the box” (a confined
area) or out on the trails, longeing is one of the best ways I
know to help the horse to release his inner energy so he can
safely concentrate on the lesson.
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com