30/ NOVEMBER 2022 THE RIDER


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn “What do you mean by that?” Confusing horse training jargon.


By Lindsay Grice. Equestrian Canada coach, horse show judge, specialist in equine behaviour.


Mystical, humorous or deliber-


ately elusive – the terms we use in the horse business can leave the rid- ing student scratching her head. As a young rider, I was a coach’s worst nightmare - “What do you mean by that?”, I’d ask. I rarely got a meaningful an-


swer. “Everything should be made


as simple as possible, but not sim- pler.” Einstein. When I’m coaching, if a rider hits a sticking point in training her horse, I’ll try to cut through any confusion (in horse, rider or both) this way: I’ll often ask her to explain the aids she uses for that maneuver. If she strug- gles to put it into words, we’ll clar- ify the goal (what do I expect from my horse? What does it look like?) then isolate the pieces step-by-step. For example, for a rein-back, I


may ask 1. How are you using your reins? Steady, pulsing, or releasing with each step? Are you using your legs as well? If so, legs before or after your reins? Legs at the girth or behind the girth? Alternating or si- multaneous? What part of your leg?


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1. *As a young rider,****I was a coach’s worst nightmare - “**/What do you mean by that?”, /****I’d ask.


Training a non- English speak-


ing horse partner is complicated enough without employing unclear terms which prompt riders to give unclear signals and horses to be clearly stressed out. If we can’t de- scribe our aids in such a way some- one who’s never ridden could understand, chances are the aid is fuzzy to the horse too! I love those light bulb moments – my student grasps the “phonics” of a certain skill, communicates more precisely, the horse relaxes – and responds.


So why do we do it? Why do


we horse professionals have these weird terms?


Here are some of my ideas: • Unique terms define my per-


sonal brand • A little mystery makes my


clients more dependent on me • I know how to do it, but strug-


gle to explain it • Jargon adds some comic relief


to the conversation. Some horse trainer lingo is just – funny!


So here are some of the top terms


I’m often unscrambling for folks: Pick up his belly. Dropping his


shoulder. Drive him into the bridle. Disengage his hip. Engaging his back. Ride him in front of your leg. Put him on the bit. “Through”. And the ever elusive, Half- Halt.


Confoundingly complex? So what about using scientific,


academic language to describe the horse/human relationship? Equine researchers employ


plenty of scientific terms. Terms that may seem befuddling in their own way, yet their complexity is de- signed to cut through any fuzziness to the exact meaning like a scalpel. I guess that’s the key – are the


terms we use meant to create mys- tery or to unpack the mysteries of humans interacting with horses? I figure that the best gift I can


give to the riders AND the horses I work with is to communicate clearly, saving them from having to ask, “What do you mean by that?”


https://lindsaygriceridingcoach.com /horse-training-jargon-clear-or-con- fusing/


2. *Are the terms we horse-people use meant to **/create /**mystery or to **/unpack/**the mysteries of humans interacting with horses?*


About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding coach with a special interest in


equine behaviour. After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse associa- tions, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges many disciplines and breeds and serves on an EC judging


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 sci- ence.”


www/lindsaygriceridingcoach.com


Don Barnes Continued From Page 29


Stephen Clarke (UK), which continue to run in two parts of the country over two weekends in September/October every year.


As president of CADORA On-


tario, a position he held at the same time as the president of CADORA Inc, Don organized the Silver Dressage Champi- onships each year, as well as the Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet, which recognized the winners with fab- ulous prizes—picked out and paid for by Don personally, who never sought reimbursement. In the 1990s, when the internet was just a toddler, Don held in- person show organizer meetings to com- pile a list of shows for the following season, ensuring there were no or very few show conflicts. As one of the founders and long-


time area representative of Glanbrook CADORA (a local group), Don organ- ized “Educate your eye” judging clinics, and in the early days, trips to the Mon- treal and Los Angeles Olympics to watch the dressage competitions. Don was committed to the grass


Call (416) 675-3993 ext 3440 www.longrunretirement.com • info@longrunretirement.com


roots. When Dressage/Equine Canada prohibited the use of the USDF tests at schooling competitions due to copyright restrictions, Don wrote and published CADORA tests, which were—and still are—free of charge for competition or- ganizers and riders to use, ensuring the continuation of schooling competitions. These tests have also been widely used for online schooling competitions since the pandemic began.


The Ontario Equestrian Federa-


tion (now Ontario Equestrian) twice rec- ognized Don’s dedication and contribution to dressage in Ontario. In 2005, Don received the “People Make a Difference Award” for his “selfless and passionate commitment” to dressage, and again in 2011, as the recipient of the Yvonne Collard Award which recog- nized his lifetime contribution to the sport.


Don was hospitalized this past


September, just before the eastern Stephen Clarke clinic was to begin. He felt he was letting everyone down by being unable to run the clinic. When it became apparent that he would not re- cover, CADORA called upon the dres- sage community to rally behind Don on Facebook. We wanted him to know how much he has meant to us, while he was still with us. Some of the comments ex- emplified Don’s wit, wisdom and empa- thy: “I remember being bucked off in front of Don, and we laughed about it years later”; “How do you score half pass at buck?”; “He always had such nice tests comments”; “He took me under his wing when he realized I had no family at the show.” Don was a force. He was also ex-


tremely funny. You can’t think of Don without thinking of a funny comment or anecdote—some of which are not suit- able for print! As per Don’s wishes, no funeral


service was held. Donations in Don’s memory can be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Association, cpff.ca. (Use Don Barnes as the contact, and dressagegames@aol.com as the email if you are donating online.)


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