By E. Landers

In recent years, “natural” horsemanship trainers have brought round pen training into forefront when it comes to training horses. This type of training employs the round pen to build a basic foundation or to re-train an older horse instead of using traditional methods.

What’s the basis of this type of training? Well, round pen training is actually derived from behavior modification principles used in training any type of animal, including horses. On a side note, these techniques also work with people.

Round Pen training uses rewards in the form of body language that mimic the horse’s natural herd instincts to encourage the desired behavior. Results are usually seen very quickly and a strong bond is often formed between horse and human through these training methods.

A study at Michigan State University shows that by the seventh training session in a round pen, horses react with a predictable response in as little as six repetitions rather than the 60 it took in the first session (Nielson, B & A. Zanella). Once the behavior is learned, it is embedded for life as long as the horse receives the same consistent human responses.

Round pen training is an invaluable tool to teach a basic education for beginning horses or remedial work for older horses.

Horses have a natural instinct called “fight or flight”. Using a round pen, a handler can avoid the dangers of the fight response and maximize the benefits of the flight response.

Round pens allow the horse to mentally escape from the pressure of the human, giving them time to think over what response they should be giving. If the handler were to use a lounge line in a pasture or arena, the scene often appears to be a struggle, while in reality, the horse is simply trying the flee.

The design of the round pen is yet another advantage in that it maximizes the horse’s thinking capacity. There are no corners for the horse to “hide” in which limits his options for controlling the situation. This focuses the horse’s behavior on the trainer.

By having enough room to move away (flee) and think about what is being asked, the horse will learn that cooperating with people is the easier decision to make. The trainer must keep in mind, however, that there should be specific lesson plans for each session since mindless running of laps will actually give the horse time to “tune out” the human.

Using round pen training with a calm focused plan, can afford a trainer and horse a safe environment for establishing a line of clear communication. Of course, every horse is different, but round pen training consistently produces positive results in a relatively short amount of time.

Learning the appropriate techniques and working your horse in a properly built round pen are the keys to fast results and long term success.

© 2006 E. Landers

E. Landers
Round Pen

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Landers

By Stevi Weissbach

Have you ever had that synchronicity with your horse, -where he seems to do everything you have thought? It is an amazing feeling, and it isn’t usually “just by chance.” Is telepathic communication really a possibility?

If you have ever spent time with horses in a herd, you may have noticed when two horses are in new surroundings they seem “glued,” as if a rope is holding them together. Have you ever noticed how their fear spreads like a wildfire? These “natural instincts” are great for survival. It keeps the horses safe and connected to one another. So how can this help humans work with horses?

The reason horses can communicate through telepathy is because they are honest with each other when they are scared, upset or content. They don’t always listen to us because so many of us are used to lying about our feelings and what we really mean. You may have heard the expressions “leave your problems at the gate,” and “show him who is boss.” We, as a human race, should take the time to understand one another and the ideas we live by. Instead, many of us rely on someone else’s experience or what has been taught as “right.” It is more helpful to the horse if there is no right or wrong: just what works well to get a task completed, and what doesn’t. Becoming a good horseperson isn’t about following a program. It’s about following a feel.

If you believe your horse can listen to your thoughts, try this.

Think of a task you want him or her to do.

For example: Walk on, or go forward. What you want to do is put yourself in your horse’s feet. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Why will you (as the horse) want to move? What will cause you to go forward?

• Should you respect her (the human) enough to do what she asks?

• Will she quit nagging you to complete the task after you have done what she asked?

• If you don’t understand her, will she get mad and frustrated and discipline you unnecessarily?

• Is your leader assertive enough to mean what she says?

Before you ask your horse to move, you should have a general idea of what it is you want, if you are asking clear enough for the horse to figure it out, and if it is even physically and emotionally possible. Anything is possible with the right guidance.

You are ready to “execute” the task.

Picture or imagine being in your horses body, pushing off at a walk. Feel which leg will go forward first, the momentum and the release of pressure. The more vivid your imagination is the better.

Then ask your horse in a way he has been trained to move.

Try it a number of times, picture starting and stopping. Then follow through with a command he understands.

Your horse should start to get the idea, which is really your idea passed to him.

Then start to add different elements and have some fun with it. You will find that you will be more in tune to your horse’s movements and he will understand you better.

It is very similar to the visualization any Olympic athlete, project leader, or business person might use; the only difference is that you are doing the visualizing for your horse. To be successful at communicating with your horse you will need to be clear and understandable.

If you enjoyed this article then pass it on!

Interested in learning more? What about if the learning was combined with an amazing vacation?

Email me at Stevi@YemayaHorseRetreat.com, Visit us online at: www.YemayaHorseRetreat.com, Or give us a call at (250) 295-0569 (Princeton BC, Canada).

Stevi has worked around different breeds of horses, many dynmamic instructors and motivational speakers. She understands how people and horses learn best, how to communicate with horses on a physical and spiritual level, and knows how to make situations fun and positive for both you and your horse.

Stevi writes her articles to enlighten you to have fun with your horse, be creative, and treat your horse with respect. “We’ve all got so much to learn, but if we can just take one small step in the right direction, that will make all the difference to your horse. And be creative-it’ll keep your horse wondering what fun things you will come up with next!”

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/

by Ray La Foy

Each horse is different in how it learns and how it reacts to outside stimuli. Certain methods of horse training may apply to some horses, but it does not mean that it will be effective to all breeds of horse.

To start horse training you must develop a communication system with the horse. This might take time. In the same way as children may not fully grasp the idea of things at an instant, baby horses in training may not get every pressure, pat or way of holding the reins at once.

When you apply a certain pressure, you expect a certain response. During horse training, you must make the horse understand that a certain pressure should elicit a corresponding response. We don’t expect full compliance in the beginning, but as time goes by, these actions will be part of the horse’s vocabulary.

Throughout the course of the horse training, one by one these actions will be added to his vocabulary. But these actions should still be broken down into minute details that the horse can take in one at a time. Learn how to pace with each individual horse. Training is something that should be done slowly and surely.

You must also learn how to “speak” to your horse in a way that it will be able to comprehend. This manner of speaking would mean fewer words and more body language.

Horses are herd animals. They learn well by imitating the leaders of the herd. You should be that “leader” your horse will follow. Patience is a key in training your horses.

You must also take into consideration that no one, animal or human, learns well when under stress. You should not force lessons into your horse during horse training. They don’t appreciate the yelling and whipping, especially if they do not know what all the harshness is for. Unlike humans who can speak their minds, horses resort to more physical responses. And you certainly wouldn’t want your horse to whirl, kick, strike and do out of hand movements.

You must create an environment wherein the horse can learn on its own, aside from the horse training that you give it. It is also important to see the difference between having been able to teach the horse something and it just accepting it. If a horse is relaxed when you do something, this does not necessarily mean that it is trained. This might just mean to it as another thing a human being normally does. Resistance at first is needed in order to see that the horse recognizes that something new is being taught to him.

The horse’s daily training routine should not be based on a set of particular things you want to teach to the horse. It should be based on how your horse reacts to your actions. Don’t teach something new to it without reviewing what it already knows.

Most importantly – don’t force your horse to go on horse training if it doesn’t feel well. A good routine does not only maintain the horse’s attention level, but also its comfort level.

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Horses and Ponies
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