Post by Calaminty Jane on Oct 14, 2010 10:25:12 GMT -5
Hi Kris,
What a great post!!! I have a couple of comments and questions, if that's okay.
1. not sure about the verbal praise. I've thought a bit about this issue and wondered what you or others might think.
I've always used some verbal praise with my horses. With Dakota, I found that for a while, at first, every time I'd say `good girl' or something else she'd stop, like she was thinking okay I did it, now I can stop. So I had to let her know it didn't mean stop, it is just means she is on the right track.
In using verbal praise, there are several things I notice. First I'll mention what happens in me. I feel, well, it sounds corny, but I feel a wave of love for Dakota. In response, I see her ears turn, and sometimes I feel her relax, like giving a big sigh. Other times it's kind of like she lifts up and steps a little higher. In all, she seems to understand she's nailed it and when I ask for whatever it is again, she usually gives it to me with more confidence.
So I think it can do a couple of things. It can act like a release in some ways, in that she knows, yes that's it! But I think, as a human, the words go with a feeling, and as a horse, Dakota can read the feeling. What's really at work is the good feeling I have when I say the words, not so much the words themselves. I don't really know how she feels, but I feel really connected to her in those moments.
Of course this all can happen without any verbal praise as well. It's just that this kind of verbal communication is another way we can connect with each other. I'm ready to be wrong about all this! It's just how it seems to work for me and Dakota.
2. regarding groundwork, now that she is under saddle, I admit to not doing too much of it. I only do groundwork if I want to show her something without her having to concern herself with me on her back. I might also do a bit if I haven't ridden her for a while, just to see how she's feeling. I find that 95% of the time, she feels fine and I hop on. But should I be doing more groundwork? Is there a reason to keep doing it if the work under saddle is going well? I've wondered about this. I've wondered if I can see things from the ground I can't notice from the saddle, like some of the things you mentioned. To be honest, now that I have her under saddle, I'm kind of bored with groundwork. But doesn't mean I shouldn't do it if needed!
You are so right about how fast horses learn. One of my biggest challenges is staying ahead of my horse! Not letting her get bored (or me either!). I'm less surprised now than I used to be when we work through something, and then she not only nails it in our next session but takes it farther! Many things she learns in one try. She's a smart cookie!
Again, thanks for the post! A lot of food for thought. Of course, I'll get to see a lot of this in action during that Young Horse clinic in March!! Can't wait for that!
Hope the chores went well!
Alex
What a great post!!! I have a couple of comments and questions, if that's okay.
1. not sure about the verbal praise. I've thought a bit about this issue and wondered what you or others might think.
I've always used some verbal praise with my horses. With Dakota, I found that for a while, at first, every time I'd say `good girl' or something else she'd stop, like she was thinking okay I did it, now I can stop. So I had to let her know it didn't mean stop, it is just means she is on the right track.
In using verbal praise, there are several things I notice. First I'll mention what happens in me. I feel, well, it sounds corny, but I feel a wave of love for Dakota. In response, I see her ears turn, and sometimes I feel her relax, like giving a big sigh. Other times it's kind of like she lifts up and steps a little higher. In all, she seems to understand she's nailed it and when I ask for whatever it is again, she usually gives it to me with more confidence.
So I think it can do a couple of things. It can act like a release in some ways, in that she knows, yes that's it! But I think, as a human, the words go with a feeling, and as a horse, Dakota can read the feeling. What's really at work is the good feeling I have when I say the words, not so much the words themselves. I don't really know how she feels, but I feel really connected to her in those moments.
Of course this all can happen without any verbal praise as well. It's just that this kind of verbal communication is another way we can connect with each other. I'm ready to be wrong about all this! It's just how it seems to work for me and Dakota.
2. regarding groundwork, now that she is under saddle, I admit to not doing too much of it. I only do groundwork if I want to show her something without her having to concern herself with me on her back. I might also do a bit if I haven't ridden her for a while, just to see how she's feeling. I find that 95% of the time, she feels fine and I hop on. But should I be doing more groundwork? Is there a reason to keep doing it if the work under saddle is going well? I've wondered about this. I've wondered if I can see things from the ground I can't notice from the saddle, like some of the things you mentioned. To be honest, now that I have her under saddle, I'm kind of bored with groundwork. But doesn't mean I shouldn't do it if needed!
You are so right about how fast horses learn. One of my biggest challenges is staying ahead of my horse! Not letting her get bored (or me either!). I'm less surprised now than I used to be when we work through something, and then she not only nails it in our next session but takes it farther! Many things she learns in one try. She's a smart cookie!
Again, thanks for the post! A lot of food for thought. Of course, I'll get to see a lot of this in action during that Young Horse clinic in March!! Can't wait for that!
Hope the chores went well!
Alex