12/ JANUARY 2012 THE RIDER Nature


Q. My trainer seems to get along so well with my horse but with me, he’s inconsistent and doesn’t seem to respect me. Do you think that horses and people can have a person- ality clash?


A. A personality clash implies that two individuals are geneti- cally predetermined to have such conflicting natures that they can’t relate to each other. Now, that’s a shame because we miss a great opportunity to learn and grow when we dis- miss another personality as “incompatible”.


Lindsay Grice


“Is it me or my horse?” Every rider has asked herself that question when encounter- ing a problem. But to say a horse likes or respects one rider over another is simplistic – let’s look deeper into the concept of nature vs nurture.


Certainly some horses are more emotional or sensitive than others. Some are more intelligent than others. Breed- ing, age and sex are some of the factors that affect a horse’s personality and learning abili- ty. It’s best to match a horse’s natural bent to it’s intended use. Within any given breed of horse there are those selective- ly bred to be hotter and more suited for speed, agility and energy. Others are valued because they’re unflappable. A cutting bred Quarter Horse doesn’t have the laid back nature of a western pleasure horse. A thoroughbred suited for racing may be too hot for the hunter ring. I encounter folks all the time who are try- ing to fit a square peg into a round hole and ending up dis- appointed. Is your horse’s nature suited to the job you want him to do? Nurture


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I find the more common answer to a horse/human con- flict is one of training and communication. It’s unlikely that your trainer’s personality simply jives with your horse’s but rather he communicates to your horse effectively. Suc- cessful horsemen are some- times described as having a “feel”, “language”, or “way” with horses and training as an art. I’m inclined to disagree with a mystical description. Having studied the principles of equine behavior and having trained hundreds of horses, I believe equitation is a system- atic science. When diagnosing a horse behavior problem, I piece together what I know


about how horses naturally think as prey animals in a herd hierarchy, together with the science of how they learn to come up with a solution. Learning theory is the mechanics of how horses acquire skills. As a written lan- guage boils down to phonics and grammar principles, horse training boils down to the cues and signals we use - how much and when they’re used. In diagnosing the problem you’re having with your horse, you’ve noted that your trainer doesn’t seem to have the same difficulties. So your horse must understand the system of cues that your trainer is using. Are you and your trainer speaking the same language to your horse?


tions to ask… Here are some good ques-


• Has my trainer described to me effectively the cues he’s using on my horse?


• Do I understand how to use my rein aids to slow, turn or flex my horse? Do I use the same technique, timing and intensity as my trainer? • Am I using my leg aids in the same location as my trainer to ask my horse to go forward, move the hindquarters or fore- hand?


• Do I use the same voice com- mands, including the same volume and tone of the words? • Do I have a secure position on the horse so I can deliver my cues effectively? ( A bouncing seat, unsteady hands or legs which slip out of posi- tion can send mixed messages and noisy cues to the horse, overpowering your signals like static on a radio).


Foundation Reining Training Centre


Specializing in Natural Horsemanship & Body Control Foundation/Western Dressage


Body control/western dressage, reining training, colt starting, lessons, coaching, tune ups, ‘train the trainer’ teachings


Certified Professional Horse Trainer “Putting my spin on things!”


Susan Dahl


Durham, On • 519-369-6767 • reinersue@hotmail.com Blog/Website: www.reinersuehorsemanship.com


Ask your trainer to explain clearly the way he uses his legs, hands, seat and voice. Develop your security in the saddle so you can dupli- cate his system. Practice your technique in a quiet environ- ment before you venture into the busy horse show scene. Trainers will differ on the aids and techniques they choose to get the job done. As long as everyone working with the horse uses the same “code”, personality clashes will cease to be an issue.


Lindsay Grice Bio


Coach, trainer, equine behaviour lecturer and judge, Lindsay Grice, has prepared horses and riders for wins at major horse shows in the US and Canada for over 20 years. Starting her career on the hunter A circuit, she continues to actively compete in both english and western events, specializing now in the AQHA circuit.


Lindsay teaches Equine


Behaviour for several Univer- sity of Guelph courses. She draws on the principles of equine psychology and sports psychology to bridge the com- munication gap between hors- es and riders. In her popular clinics she explains both the “hows” and “whys” of training and showing.


Lindsay is an Equine Canada judge and AQHA spe- cialized judge, as well as a certified Equine Canada and NCCP (multi event) coach. When asked what she loves about her job, Lindsay responds, “I love putting com- plex principles of riding into a language that riders can under- stand. As someone who’s been there – forgotten courses, made training mistakes, lis- tened to hollering coaches and still made it to the winner’s circle, I share with my stu- dents the keys I wish I’d known.”


For more training and showing tips, visit www.lgrice.com


Please Slow Down! Reader concerned about traffic on country roads


I am very concerned about rural drivers who are incon- siderate of horses and their riders who use the local streets. Too many times while riding on quiet country roads in Pel- ham/Lincoln/West Lincoln and all other vicinities, we the rid- ers will signal to the car driver to PLEASE SLOW DOWN. We are not waving HI but want you to know that you are going too fast and we worry that you won't pass us safely. We ride on the side of the road (going with the traffic) so we won't interfere with local traffic. Please give us the same con- sideration when we ask you to SLOW DOWN and pass on the left giving us plenty of room (as you already do for a pedestri- an). We usually ride on the trails and in the fields but it is hunting season right now so we avoid those areas at this time for safety reasons. Our horses are usually well behaved but it only takes a split second for a very quiet horse to spook at something.


Horses are prey animals and if they see or hear some- thing that is unusual, they will want to run away and they could run right into you and your car. As a rider, I'd like you to know that it can be very difficult to make a horse go for- ward and stay to the side if they see something they think is going to hurt them. Their instinct is to move away from it which means going to the centre of the road and you the driv- er will have no time to stop your vehicle. Hitting a horse and rider will most likely be catastrophic for the horse, possibly the rider, you, your car and your insurance rates. So please and I know I speak for a lot of horse people out there please just slow down - it only takes a few more seconds to get where you are going but it may save a life, maybe even yours!!


Glenna Benson Shadow Lane Livery Wellandport


Editors Note: The following information is a summery of a letter to the editor of the Voice of Pelham by Lori D'Ascenzo. For the full text of that letter please visit http://issuu.com/thevoiceofpelham/docs/2011-12-07/5 ----------


Horseback riders and buggy drivers are expected to trav- el on the road in a similar fashion to other vehicles such as a bicycle. They move in the same direction as traffic, stop at intersections and obey the rules of the road. Horses are con- sidered saddle animals under the highway traffic act and have a legal right to safety in all public places including parks. Traffic laws state that cars are required yield to cyclists, hors- es and pedestrians and cyclists are required to yield to horses and pedestrians. When the rules are obeyed, all goes well. Ignorance of the law is not a defence when an incident


does occur. When a vehicle driver or cyclist causes a horse to spook or be injured (deliberately or accidentally), they are liable for the resulting injury or death of the rider/ driver and horse. Some behaviours that may result in charges of "reck- less endangerment" include; speeding, yelling, honking horn or waving while passing, or ignoring the "caution" warning of the rider/buggy driver.


Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!


For up to the minute detailed inventory, pics, prices & payments visit


www.hepburnsales.com • Hwy 9 Schomberg, ON • 905-939-2279


If we are all informed and choose to act responsibly with consideration for the safety of everyone else on the road, we should all be able to arrive home safely.


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