Ruth , who used to work as an aviation security consultant in the UK to fund her passion for horses , says often people buy horses that are inappropriate for their skill level . “ Young thoroughbreds off the race track – not the best first horse for people but cheap , easily available , pretty much everyone ’ s dream horse . “ If people ask our advice on that we say green on green makes black and blue … “ There are plenty of nice steady horses out there but you may have to pay more for them . We do see some unfortunate choices . “ People find they can ’ t get their horses out the gate on their own , or into the trailer . People get scared and unconfident . “ A big part of our market is ladies whose families have left home , they think they might want to get back into riding or begin . They might buy an unsuitable horse , get scared , and it ’ s not quite the dream .
“ Horses are very powerful animals . We need to have respect for them .”
Russell reckons about 80 per cent of adults who buy horses get out of horses within two years . But with Parelli , it is possible to have that dream . “ It can be fun .” The secret to horse training – and what every good trainer knows – is it ’ s the release that teaches . Apply enough pressure so that they learn and only release that pressure when they get it right . “ It ’ s a big surprise for all humans that horses are not like dogs ,” says Russell . “ It ’ s not about praise or recognition . One of the best things you can do to them is leave them alone . When they can be mentally and physically comfortable there is a lot of reward for them . “ The release is the real secret , and the timing of the release . “ If I pick up the reins and the horse responds , I release and that ’ s the reward . If you offer release he will do it again . He is not looking to own anything , just peace and comfort .” Says Ruth : “ There has to be a certain pressure for the brain to be in training . It is just chemistry , really , but it ’ s wrapped up in a 600kg animal . Their nature is to always reset themselves to this place of comfort .” In the comfort zone , horses – like people – are “ snoozing , not learning ”. Apply a little pressure and their brain switches on – too much pressure and it becomes too stressful to learn successfully .
“ I ’ ve seen a lot of horses under a lot of pressure and you know they are not learning , they are just trying to survive ,” says Ruth . “ We really work on their minds , everything is a puzzle and there will be an answer . They do become amazing learners .” A lot of what she and Russell do is entry-level work with horse owners . The owners are regular people – people with office jobs , grandmas and children . The couple teach most weekends , and clinics include ground skills , before a rider even gets on a horse ; confidence in the saddle ; liberty , where riders communicate with their horse without a rope or bridle ; cattle camp , where riders “ get to play at being real cowboys ”, using their horses to round up cattle and herd them through various tasks ; and green horse clinics , for young horses who usually “ have some little problems they have developed ”. Russell , who has been hospitalised a few times from restarting horses , says every horse that arrives on their farm has been trained in some way and can have learned behaviours that are detrimental .
“ Every time you interact with a horse they learn something . It can be constructive or destructive .
“ The job we do is like unwinding a tangled up ball of string . “ I like to say everyone is a horse trainer . If you interact with them you are training them . That ’ s why we like to work with people .”
Inger Vos