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Horses can get confused if their training is inconsistent, contains unclear or mixed messages. Horses can react differently to these training mistakes in various ways, sometimes resulting in only mild unwanted behaviour or with extreme over-reactive behaviour. It is always appropriate to establish in these cases whether there is a pain issue or whether the behaviour is a training issue. When training a new aid, I always like to ensure that the horse has fully accepted it rather than just tolerating it. Acceptance comes when the horse realises that the response produces positive outcomes to it's correct behaviour every single time and this is shown clearly in it's body language. Horse's wear their heart's on their sleeve!
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"Horse's can't talk, but they can speak if you listen."
Monty Roberts |
"Listen to the horse. Try to find out what the horse is telling you". Tom Dorrance
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The rider needs also to play their part in being able to conduct themselves in a way that is clear and fair to their horse. This requires them to be aware of their request (aid) and know when to reward, whether ridden or on the ground. A conscious decision and not an unconscious random one that the horse has little chance of interpreting because the request is either unclear, unintended or not yet trained.
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