April 09 midwest horse digest Page 43
increasing the speed and intensity of the obviously right behind him and he might think average time being around two hours. The
bumps or taps if he continues to back. Stop the it’s chasing him. If so, let him go until he reach- same lesson can be taught at the bridge, or
instant he stops backing. Then simply ask him es a point that is equivalent to the edge of his the tarp, or wherever. If it takes two hours the
to go to the stream again. Eventually he will original comfort zone from the creek (usually first time, your second obstacle crossing will
understand that backing away is an option that 15 – 20 feet). Then turn him around and cross only take about one hour, and the third about
has been closed to him, because when he the stream again. Usually you don’t have to twenty minutes. Then every time you ask your
tries he experiences increasing discomfort the repeat these steps to the same degree, but horse to cross over something for the rest of
further back he goes! you may get a few side to side moves before his life it should never take more than t n min-
He will then try the remaining he paws or looks down. However, it won’t be utes or so because he will recognize the
options of going either right or left. Horses also long until he jumps it again. Keep repeating process and know that you are consistent and
have the option of rearing or throwing them- but gradually decrease the distance you allow persistent in your requests.
selves on the Well, that’s it
ground. (If this hap- for this month.
pens to you it’s Next time we’ll talk
probably because about jigging hors-
you skipped the es and spooky
steps that allow the horses. Until then,
horse to relax. If stay warm and
you didn’t skip that ride safe!
part and he does
rear or “throw © Bob Jeffreys
down”, he probably 2/09. Bob Jeffreys
needs professional and Suzanne
training). Let’s say Sheppard travel
he chooses to go nationwide teach-
right; you must quit ing people how to
using the ‘go cue”, bring out the best
but also must keep in their horses.
his nose pointed at Their homebase is
the exact spot you Bob’s Two as One
wish to cross. We Ranch in
don’t want to let him
get away by allowing
Bob & Suz teach the creek crossing lesson to a student at Equine Affaire Massachusetts.
Middletown, NY.
For info about Bob
him to turn away,
Photo by Geer Teuwen”.
& Suzanne’s Wind
even if you circle Rider Challenge,
back to the stream. If you allow this your horse him to travel until it’s only a foot or two on private horse training lessons, riding lessons,
will think, “I almost made it!” and try harder to either side of the stream. He’ll now be jumping clinics, DVDs, books, Horsemanship Ed
escape the next time. It doesn’t matter if he with less vigor, and when you feel safe Courses and ProTrack™ Trainer Certification
moved right or left at this point in your lesson enough, turn him as he jumps so that he lands Programs please visit
as long as his nose stays pointed at your spe- in the water. Walk him up and down while TwoasOneHorsemanship.com or call 845-
cific crossing spot. He’ll go side to side for praising his bravery; if he wants to drink (and 692-7478.
awhile but will start to narrow down this move- the water is clear), let him. Then take him out
ment sideways until eventually one of two of the stream and begin walking through it
things happen: he may either paw at the water from both sides. Progress to trotting, or even
with his hooves, or he may drop his head down cantering if the footing allows and you feel up
to take a closer look. Either movement is a to it.
sign that your horse is thinking about crossing. This lesson will take anywhere from
Although only some will paw, all will eventual- 20 minutes to four hours to teach, with the
ly drop their heads to the ground to sniff and
look at the water. Accept this as movement for-
ward and release all pressure, rewarding him
for the progress made.
Now we play the “minute game”. If
he leaves his head down for 2 seconds when
you ask him to move, accept this as forward
motion and then let him relax with his head up
for 58 seconds, the balance of one minute. Ask
nothing of him – just leave him be as a reward
for his courage. Then ask him again for move-
ment and this time he might leave his head
down for 5 seconds. When he brings it up he’s
allowed to rest for only 55 seconds. Then we
ask again and he’ll leave his head down even
longer- maybe for 10 seconds, so we ask noth-
ing of him for 50 seconds, and so on. This con-
tinues until we’ve reversed the action of the
minute game so that this head stays down for
58 seconds and up for only 2 seconds.
The next time you ask him to go,
continue to ask until he moves forward; by this
time he’s ready. A word of caution here; if the
creek is less than about four feet wide, hold
on! He will jump it! When he lands the creek is
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