persistent horsemanship.
To find magic we need to humble ourselves and study the horse and begin to understand that this majestic animal is not human and its ability to read us far surpasses our ability to read it.
When we train them to navigate obstacles we must understand that their instinct says that this may be dangerous and therefore we should avoid it at all cost. Recently while teaching a clinic in Pahrump Nevada the majority of horses were scared to death of the water pond and water box. I was not surprised since most of the horses had only seen water in a bucket or water trough. However with persistent coaching and encouraging each and every horse conquered their fear of water. When it was over each horse took the time to play in the water. Was it easy? No it was hard for the owners, myself and the horse but our goal was the betterment of the horse and when it was done each and every horse was happy.
Much of it comes down to timing with pressure and release plus the horse’s instinct must believe that you are above them in the pecking order and trust that you will protect them. At this same clinic I was asked to demonstrate how I was to train a horse to cross the swinging bridge. This was a horse that had never been exposed to the bridge and was scared to death.
I first established my Bolender Bubble and then asked him to step a foot up on the center of the bridge. He did this and when the bridge moved he immediately drew back. I held my ground and asked him the try again which he did. Even though he was shaking he held his foot on and soon placed two feet on. I asked him to try again and he jumped up and over quickly. He looked to me to see if he was in trouble and I assured him everything was fine. There is no discipline needed as long as the horse tries.
Soon he was stepping up and over in a calm manner. When I attempted to send him from the center of the bridge to the end of the bridge he would not go even though he was standing on the bridge. At this point I changed up my normal plan and took him to look at the end. This seemed to reassure him enough that he soon was able to go half way to the end.
At this point he was locked in to me and was trying to please even though the horse was still scared. In short order the horse was calm and walking over the bridge. By forcing this horse to address its fears I was able to have the horse overcome its fears and become bold and confident. There was no magic involved but just good old fashion horsemanship in understanding the mind of the horse and knowing how much pressure to apply and when to allow the horse to think it through using it’s intelligence to overcome it instinct of the fear of the unknown.
Happy Trails and Bolender Blessings.
Mark
M
38 / Sport and Trail Magazine
agic for sale! I have a magic Mountain Trail Video that will make your horse perfect on every obstacle. I will sell you this magic bit for it will give you the perfect head set. I have this magic training halter which will make your horse perfect. Please look at this saddle pad for it fits like magic and your horse will be perfect. Buy this stick and string quick before the supply’s run out for it is truly magic when it comes to training. Your horse will move its hip like magic when you bend over ever time. Magic draw reins for sale. This set will put the perfect head set on every horse. Magic horse for sale! This horse does ever thing perfect for we have covered him with magic.
Magic Tools For Sale
By Mark Bolender
obstacle. I will sell you this magic bit for it will give you the perfect head set. I have this magic training halter which will make your horse perfect. Please look at this saddle pad for it fits like magic and your horse will be perfect. Buy this stick and string quick before the supply’s run out for it is truly magic when it comes to training. Your horse will move its hip like magic when you bend over every time. Magic draw reins for sale. This set will put the perfect head set on every horse. Magic horse for sale! This horse does ever thing perfect for we have covered him with magic.
We humans are funny impatient creatures.
We love our horses but we would love them to be perfectly trained and become world champions by tomorrow!
Since that does not seem to happen we are always looking to purchase the magic halter, stick and string, perfect bit, saddle, training DVD and or find a better horse trainer who puts on clinics to end all problems. The bottom line is there is no magic and anyone who tries to sell you “magic” is a fraud. The only magic I know of is hard work and persistence horsemanship.
BUILDING CONFIDENT TRAIL HORSES
ONE OBSTACLE AT A TIME
Learn more online:
www.imtca.org