21/02/2020
The other day I was asked by a client about my thoughts on relaxation in horses, and more specifically, whether you can train a horse to truly relax or whether it has to come from inside the horse.
My answer was quick and very clear,
“I think that signs and symptoms of relaxation can be trained into the horse, but true relaxation and acceptance, which allows the horse to use his body better, can only come from the horse trusting his trainer and feeling safe in his surroundings.”
Yes, you can train a horse to lower his head rather than raise it and prepare to run when you make a loud noise beside him, but watch the horse’s eyes closely. Are they soft? Do they blink softly? Are they dull and resigned or wide and alert? Next, watch for any tiny movements which his head or neck may make. A truly relaxed horse will move his head and neck very smoothly and deliberately, or he will be still. A tense horse will move his head in a series of jolts; quickly moving from one position to the next, and will often be ‘locked’ in each position while he looks for danger. Observe the speed at which he licks (his lips) and chews at; is it a slow and soft movement, or rushed and exaggerated? How is he breathing? Softly? At all??!
There are many ‘signals’ of a horse moving towards ease but these signals alone are not enough (and can sometimes be misleading). They must be coupled with soft breathing and fluid movement, an ability to reach forward with the neck into the rein contact, and with a tail which freely follows the soft movements of the spine.
In Britain we have had many weeks of wet weather and storms. Yesterday was no exception, and whilst working one of my mares on the lunge during gale force winds and intermittent hail storms I thought about how much she had changed. From a horse who would explode at seemingly nothing, and remain tense for an entire session, she has become such a pleasure to work with. It was at this point I was reminded of the conversation I’d had with my client earlier this week:
“True relaxation and acceptance can only come from the horse feeling safe in his environment, trusting his trainer and feeling good in his body.”
Now I’ve written about this mare in the past. By nature she is sharp and extremely sensitive, particularly to noise. She was trained using chain mouthpieces and draw reins in an attempt to keep her attention when training. This unfortunately caused more tension in her body, which, in places, can still be seen today.
Yesterday, she listened to my instructions and remained calm and attentive despite the wind muffling my voice. She worked completely at ease for 99% of the session, even when some of the show-jumps blew over, or she was challenged to do something with more activity or difficulty. That’s good enough for me, and in my opinion, is a sign of a horse who is becoming truly relaxed. Her muscles are soft, she moves with fluidity, and her mind is focused. She behaves in the way I want, not because she is afraid not to, but because she doesn’t feel the need to behave in any other way.
She now rides comfortably in a snaffle and is confident and comfortable enough to take her neck forward into the rein contact in all three gaits. She still has the same personality as ever, but her actions are a hundred times more civilised.
In my opinion, a horse’s personality is what it is. Some are naturally more sensitive than others. It is up to us to help them to become a more level and balanced version of themselves. Yes, that may include creating boundaries, but it also includes compromise, patience, and an ability to ‘let things slide’.
The horse wants to know only one thing when he feels unsafe; do you add to his problems, or help him with them?
