MAY 2020 THE RIDER /33
The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Rebuilding confidence, retraining skills after a setback.
curately? No abrupt signals or mixed messages? As a coach, that “deep breath” is my opportunity to
assess – Am I explaining this clearly? How does my stu- dent learn best? Could I use a different illustration? Dif- ferent words? Would it be helpful to get on the horse and feel for myself for missing “buttons” or points of resist- ance?
• I evaluate analytically. Devise a logical, systematic plan to rebuild the skill. “Be satisfied with anything that is ‘a little better’.
Your horse will not go from lousy to perfect, or from stiff to supple. He will get a little less lousy until he eventually becomes a little better, then a lot better.” Jane Savoie
By Lindsay Grice, Equine Canada certified coach and show judge.
In the middle of this unplanned interruption
of Life As We Know It, I thought it was fitting to write about rebuilding. While we may not be able to control life’s disruptions and disappointments we CAN control how we respond and rebuild. In my workshops on training horses by “eq-
uitation science”, I show a slide with a steps and landings. Frustration’s inevitable when we find ourselves one flight down from our last schooling
session...especially if it happens in the warm up ring at a horse show! (Been there). “But he never does this at home!” “C’mon
– you KNOW this, perfectly well!” Equitation science helps us understand objec-
tively how horses learn and think. We shape skills using logic and a systematic plan. (and reshape when we regress!) The best gift we can give a horse is communicating in a way that makes sense to the horse. So, let me share some keys that help me re- sume climbing after a set-back:
• I do my best to prevent them from happen- ing! Don’t skip steps. “In almost all training situations, the most
effective way to “delete” behaviours is to prevent them from being expressed.”Dr. Andrew Mclean.
• I detach from my frustration. Emotions make our aids unclear. When hitting a snag in a training session, I take a deep breath and assess the com- munication gap with my horse. A “deep breath” takes the emotional aspect out of the picture. And the assessment: Does my horse understand a clear system of aids? Have I delivered the system ac-
Frustration’s inevitable when we find ourselves one flight down from our last schooling session.
“C’mon – you KNOW this, perfectly well!”
• Reward every try from your horse with release. “Yes, you’re on the right track!” Then give him time to process before asking again.
• Ride the horse you have TODAY.When I assume my horse “should know better” the truth is, at that moment of frustration, I’ve really just run out of creativity, patience and my grasp of equitation science. Assuming my horse or student “should know better” closes the door on a learning opportunity for the horse, rider…and me! “Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelli- gently.” Henry Ford On another note, in this social distancing interruption, I’ve been really missing in-person, eye-contact coaching
Larry Brinker Appointed To Equestrian Canada Driving Committee
Ottawa, ON, April 29, 2020 – Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce that Larry Brinker of Langley, BC, has been appointed to the 2020 Driving Committee for a two-year term. Brinker brings much experience to the Com-
ground and is an EC Judge for Eventing, Jumping and Dressage, a Course Designer for Hunter and Jumper, and an EC certified Competition Coach Spe- cialist in Eventing. Brinker’s extensive background will contribute to the EC Driving Committee’s current initiatives,
mittee as a Senior Combined Driving Judge and ex- perienced clinician who most recently taught two combined driving clinics in 2019. He also has a strong multi-discipline back-
member, Cora Hohenberg of La Broquerie, MB, who was appointed in May 2019. EC offers its thanks to Hohenberg for her time and service.
which include: • Advising EC on strategies such as coaching and ed- ucation; • Reviewing the Officials development pathway; • Developing a tool kit of resources for competition organizers; • Finalizing an agreement with American Driving So- ciety (ADS) to use ADS dressage tests in EC com- petitions; and, • Analyzing and aligning the EC Rules with ADS. Brinker is replacing outgoing Committee
“But he never does this at home!” Explaining to a clinic participant how to systematically rebuild after a set-back.
riders! The next best thing? I’m coaching some riders online or via telephone.
Let’s review a video
together of a recent school- ing session or last season’s horse show pattern, course or test- stride. We’ll target small trouble spots and I suggest some doable fixes. And a homework plan for your next ride.
I’d love to meet you and your horse!
in equine behaviour. After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance instruc- tor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse as- sociations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges many disciplines and breeds and serves on an EC judg-
About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding coach with a special interest
ing committee
Why do horses do what they do? “In the horse world, our traditions and evidence sometimes collide – I love to help riders solve their horse puzzles with logic, patience and equitation science.”
www/
lindsaygriceridingcoach.com
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