ONE STEP HORSEMANSHIP: A sensible approach to horse handling
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The following method is the ground work for “One Step Horsemanship.”
- Make sure the rope halter fits nicely, the throatlatch is snug and centered, the noseband lies just below the facial crest, and the cheek pieces avoid the eyes. I personally prefer the medium sized rope halters with a balanced, long enough lead rope attached without a snap.
- Standing a couple of yards away from the horse, slowly pull on the lead rope until you move the head and neck “out of the box.” The spine is now “out of straightness.” Do not continue to pull, but merely hold the rope in that position, and wait. And wait some more. (This is a true test of patience.)
- If this request of walking forward is new to the horse, he will not understand. He will pull on the rope, twist his neck, stick his nose out, roll his eyes, and maybe even jerk backwards. But maybe, just maybe, he steps forward. Because you are only holding him out of position, not continuing to pull, the forward step loosens the rope. He has found relief in the release, and with the relief comes understanding.
- To better this lesson, we do the same again, only this time we respond quicker. Our goal should be to provide release, not when the horse’s foot has moved and hit the ground, but before, when the hoof is leaving the ground. Even better, we should be giving release when the horse mentally decides to move the foot. Movement is initiated in the mind, and the faster relief is given, the better the lesson.
- We are merely asking for a step. One step, only one step. We are teaching the horse to seek the reward of release. Release is the initial reward, but better yet, is the praise we give after the release. Verbal praise combined with stroking of the head and neck reinforces the success. Make a big deal of the accomplishment, and comfort him with praise and love. Make him feel good.
- Then ask him again. Move his head out of position and hold. Wait for the desired movement. When done correctly, the hold and waiting period will be shorter. The horse is beginning to understand and is searching for that good feeling you provided. When releasing on initiation of the step, “push” the rope back to the horse making the release even faster. The faster you respond the better the lesson.
- Allow the horse a short time between your requests. Let him process what has just happened. Give him time to relax. He will often lick his lips, soften his muzzle and lower his head in understanding.
- Then ask again. A few steps forward, one step back; a few steps forward, always waiting, always rewarding. With each succeeding move, we lighten our request. Instead of pulling (oops, I meant asking...) with 5 lbs of pull and hold, we ask with only 2 lbs, and now with only 1 lb. And now with merely 1/2 lb, then hardly with a feeling. Finally, maybe, with only a thought!
- We are instilling a desire in the horse to respond to the lightest possible request by putting praise and good feeling into the end. This is his reward, and he soon begins seeking ways to find this reward. The horse is now working for us, he is now thinking with us, he wants to be our friend. He is now our partner, not our slave.
“One Step Horsemanship” is applicable to all forms and levels of education. It is based on one step, only one step, and then another. And then another. It is about our relationship with our horse. It is about our own personal learning curve and our relationship with life. It is all about taking one good step, then feeling good about it. Let’s do it again…
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