The Horses' Natural Progression of Learning

When working with horses, there are three main aspects we deal with; mental, emotional and physical. The physical part is the easiest for most of us, as it is the most recognizable. We can notice changes in the horses body and use our bodies to influence movements. The mental and emotional are harder to read. We should look at the mental part of training in relation to whether our horse is making decisions about his actions. This could be positive or negative choices, but none the less, the horse is thinking about his responses; using the left side of his brain. The emotional reaction happens when instinct or fear take over; the horse is using the right side of his brain (Right/Reaction).

Before we can begin to shape our horses responses, we must learn to be a good leader. One our horse can trust, have confidence in and respect for. This is our first responsibility as a horseman. By learning to recognize our horses learning progression, we will then begin to acknowledge each phase and further develop our patience thereby allowing our horse to learn.

REACT, RESIST, RELAX, RESPOND

When first introducing a new task, a horse will REACT to the new stimuli. Whether they try to get away (flee) or face it head on (fight), you will most likely get an emotional output to your request. Running away, running backwards, pulling, coming toward you or freezing are all reactions you may experience. These are natural instincts coming out, and we need to calmly wait until this emotional outburst is over with. Depending on just how emotional the horse is, will depend on how long the REACTION phase will last and if it will escalate before it gets better. As the horse gets more mentally fit, the emotional reaction will lessen with each task, and if you stick with it long enough, can even dissipate all together. This is when you have a thinking partner.

On the deeper side of the reaction phase....a horse can actually learn an emotional reaction through rough or improper handling. This is often a case when a horse is asked (or made) to do something it was not prepared for in the first place. Being forced onto a trailer can cause horses to have an emotional, right brain reaction when it sees the trailer again. Once a horse learns to be reactive, it can be very difficult to overcome and takes hundreds and hundreds of positive experiences to change that initial panic.

Once the horse engages his brain, he will naturally come to the RESISTANT phase. This is the mental part of training (left brain negative); meaning the horse is making a conscious decision to not cooperate. This can manifest in many ways including trying to out run, out pull, out smart, out wit and out maneuver you. A horse can ignore you completely or zone out; this is a form of resistance most do not recognize. Some will want to change tactics, thinking they are doing something wrong because the horse does not understand. He understands if he resists you long enough, you will give up or make it happen (thereby doing his work for him).

A horse can come to the resistant phase honestly, not all are purposely trying to blow you off. They can be resistant through fear, lack of understanding or even learned behavior. A horse can also go through many different levels of resistance in one session; from trying to out run the aide, ignoring you and using a multitude of evasions. The key is to be patiently persistent and eventually the horse will try things your way.

During both the REACTION and RESISTANT phases, your horse may do what you are asking, either through an evasion or flight mode. Example: when asking a horse to accept being touched with a rope, he may just stop and freeze up. Though your goal is to have him stand still, you need to look at the reason he is standing still (through fear) and realize this is not a possessive RESPONSE. Your horse CANNOT give you positive responses during the REACT or RESIST phase. He is either too emotionally upset to know the difference or too mentally distracted to care.

Regardless, you will give the horse the release (through your relaxation) and hope he can make a connection that he will still use once he engages his brain and starts to relax himself.

Which brings us to the next phase, RELAX. There is actually a metabolic change in the horse when his head is lower than his wither. Endorphins can be released through the system and cause the horse to relax. He starts to reach forward with his stride instead of up and down as he does when upset. The horses' feet gain purpose and the muscles start to unlock and be used more efficiently. When the horse is upset emotionally or mentally, the body will show it in some form or fashion; usually in a type of brace. He stiffens against your leg, resists aides or ignores the rein.

The bigger picture of this is that this is when most injuries can occur. He can wear down physically through tension or not paying attention (or caring) how he throws himself around. Joints can damage (through over exertion), muscles pull or legs get knocked into panels of the round pen.

When the horse starts to RELAX, he is no longer making random, emotional reactions. Mentally, the mind is clear and can now start to make positive responses to your requests. Physically the body is loose and can be used properly and develop good muscle strength and suppleness. ONLY when a horse is RELAXED, can he then RESPOND.

Once all the braces are gone, emotionally, mentally and physically; your horse can open his mind and positively RESPOND. This is also when progressive learning actually begins. He may have learned earlier he is faster or stronger than you, or he can tune you out for hours, but now he can progress through POSITIVE RESPONSES and build on this knowledge.

Here is the answer to the most commonly asked question: "How long do I do this?"....you ask your horse past the REACTION, through the RESISTANCE, into the RELAXATION so you can get POSITIVE RESPONSES. You must get to the point where your horse is RESPONDING so it becomes a positive learned behavior. Only then can you progress.