Just Watch 'Em

In the past little while I've started to realize that in all my blogs I havent said much to actually help anybody in their training. Of course in my 3 years of training horses I have had the privilage of learning countless techniques from famous clinicians, local trainers, my dad, and other self proclaimed proffesionals such as myself. But without a doubt I have learned the most "straight from the horses mouth." If youve ever watched a group of horses most can tell within just a few minutes which is the dominant horse... usually a mare, surprise surprise. When she feels that another is threatning her authority or is too close to a mate she will at first hint that the violator should probably move on. Usually by lifting her head and slicking her ears. Then she will suggest by moving into the violators space and perhaps turning her "kicking" end in the violator's direction. When/if the suggestion is ignored she will automatically use a physical command to ward off the violator, either by kicking, biting, or striking and the violator WILL move on and take the hint. Now I'm not telling everyone to go out slickin their ears, kicking, biting and or striking their horses...generally not good ideas. What I am saying is to "do as they do!!" just not literally. When I train a horse I use this same three step process. First I will ask the horse to, lets say, move their hindquarters by changing my body language and focusing my energy and perhaps snappin or pointing at their hindquarters. Next I will suggest by "bumping the air" with a lunge whip or "handy stick." I wont actually touch the horse but there will be a clear suggestion in progress. When/if my suggestion is ignored I will escalate the horses energy by bumping/tapping the horses hindquarters with the lunge whip with an ever increasing pressure until the hindquarters moves. So basically what Im saying is to Just Watch 'Em and do as they do..thats the basis for anything and everything I do with any horse. Remember to leave comments and/or suggestion or feel free to email me at thebartjr@gmail.com. Ohh and wish me luck, we (my dad and I) sent in our applications for the Extreme Mustang Makeover just a little while ago. Thanks