TRAINING TIPS
trial and error: “Punishment shuts down
the window of things that they’re likely
for them not to do what you want with
the try, so if they’re not confident to try
to want to offer. You might be able to
huge weight shifts or pulling beyond
how are they ever going to be trained?
do what I call wrestling and wrangling,
flexion levels, but that’s using everything
When you punish a try, you then close
which is physically making it impossible
Amanda’s coaching style stems from a lifelong interest in education (Image courtesy Amanda Clifford).
else but the horse’s understanding - and that’s a mistake.” Which brings us back to the importance of studying the horse. “Horses are so incredibly trainable if you understand equine learning theory,” Amanda says, “they build associations remarkably quickly and it doesn’t take long for them to understand that when the pressure of your aid is released, it’s telling them that they got it, that it was the right answer. Work on creating those positive associations, so that if at first they don’t get it right, they’re not afraid to try, try, and if necessary, to try again, because that’s what it takes for a horse to become a well-educated, sound and willing partner.” You can follow Amanda by joining her DRESSAGE→←CONNECT Facebook group, or call her on 0407 460 413.
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