Horse Behavior Specialist
Licensed 2 Star Parelli Professional
www.nancyslater.com
28 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Student Questions
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much patience, exposure, and positive experiences, he will gain confidence in your suggestion to go through any puddle. It's about a strong relationship between horse and human.
relationship between horse and human.
Q: What has been the most rewarding training experience with a horse you have handled that made you glad you didn’t give up on them?
A: There have been many, but it started with my mule who was extremely troubled and it became my quest to "fix" him. I learned that I was the one who needed fixing, in other words, learning to communicate with him without ego, earning his trust and respect so that we could accomplish great and fun things together. That was extremely rewarding, as trainers had given up on him. He was a great teacher, leading me to Parelli Natural Horsemanship, and the rest is history!
Q: Has there ever been a time where you thought a horse you were working with was just never going to communicate with you or understand you? What motivation can you provide our fellow equestrians with to encourage them not to give up?
A: I know that it's not IF... it's WHEN! I work with horses that have been thrown away because of being "untrainable", dangerous, and willful, because of their experiences with people who didn't understand them. Working with disabled and abused children, I always say that if the student (horse) can't learn, then the teacher (you) needs to take a different approach. Learning style is different for each child (horse). You change and then they change. That's when you get results.
Q: How did you get started in Natural Horsemanship?
A: I thought I knew everything about horses, but I got a dangerous mule I couldn't figure out. I wanted to fix our problems without blaming the horse, not using violence - he’d been through a lot of that and did not trust humans at all. Parelli Natural Horsemanship worked because it is based on Love, Language and Leadership.
Q: What steps would you recommend for someone who is older to take to get started in Natural Horsemanship?
A: Most people just take tips and tricks and wonder why they don’t get much success. You need to follow a program like Parelli Natural Horsemanship (featured in their Savvy Club) that takes you step by step, to increase your knowledge and keeps you and your horse safe. Years of knowledge and learning is available in this program, its the most deep and complete out there. They also have licenced instructors (like me) you can trust to personalize and expedite your experience.
Question #1 How many hands was your very first horse and how old were you on your first ride?
Question #2 Have you ever worked with a horse that was really ticklish? I know that may sound silly.
Answers:
1) 15 hands, Paint horse. I was 4 years old!
2) Yes, not silly! Unconfident or young horses can be very ticklish, especially behind the elbow and in the flank area. These horses are often called "thin skinned" or hyper-sensitive to light touch. But what it really is, is tension. Once they are trusting and relaxed, that goes away. My horse Reminton is very “ticklish”… but not nearly as much as he used to be!
Q: Is it possible for a horse to shutdown after they’ve
mastered a skill during training, hence causing
frustration?
A: Yes! Horses can get burnout. They are not robots. So, if
we mix it up, keep it interesting, keep them feeling
appreciated and successful, keep progressing their skills,
cross train, (arena and trail), etc. they will stay present and
engaged. What makes a happy horse? Reading him, which
means listening to his mental, emotional and physical
needs.
Q: Is it possible for one to love a horse too much?
A: I believe so, if it means love=spoiling. Horses are like
children, they need guidance, boundaries, and understand
responsibility to be safe and dependable citizens. (Having
said that, I love all my horses more than they will ever
know!)
Q: What do you suggest to a rider who has lost a lot (if
not all) their confidence after an accident that required
an ambulance ride and emergency surgery?
A: Go back to groundwork to get a stronger connection
(trust and respect) with your horse. Then use the method
of approach and retreat on yourself. Go at it a little at a time
until you feel like doing more and more.
Q: What exercises do you recommend for a horse that
has a suspected “depth perception” issue? (I.e gets
sketchy about crossing water yet is not afraid to go to the
skyway, be bathed, or cross water obstacles at home- but
gets difficult to cross small water crossing while on a
trail)?
A: Get off and do your groundwork. All puddles look
different. As prey animals, everything they do is based on
survival. Build his confidence with approach and retreat.
He needs to trust you, sniff it, and put one foot in it. With