29/01/2024
As I've said so often, here's another expert in positive training weighing in.
PSA: As a reminder…rope halters ARE aversive. Period. They are devices used to control your horse through the use of averive pressure. This is why they are described as:
“The Professional's Choice Clinician Halter is designed by professionals. This custom-made halter features two strategically placed knots that trigger pressure points on the horse's nose to help maintain control of a difficult or young horse. The halter is slightly rigid, has a smooth finish.”
“Hand-Pressed Knots
Assuring the halter will not come unraveled. Knots are strategically placed on the noseband to sit on pressure points of the horse’s nose, which discourages leaning against the halter.”
“The thin diameter of the rope discourages the horse from wanting to lean or pull against the halter.”
Those are direct quotes from Smartpak and Amazon. As you can see from the description it adds control. How does it add control? The thin contact points of rope. Any rope adds a small area of contact which makes it sharper and more concise which equals more control than a flat surface which disperses the contact and minimizes averse pressure. Next is the knots. The knots are all placed on sensitive nerve centers of the horse’s face and head. Again these things create compliance and responsiveness from the horse. He doesnt listen and the many pressure points of the halter instill pain, so it results in compliance. The sheer weight of the lead rope causes pressure and reminds them of the active contact points. It is at work even withou escalating pressure. Pretty soon the aversive association is set and becomes classically conditioned. This means thst the body has a visceral and involuntary response to the rope halter and the emotions that it creates. Pain typically creates fear and constant fear can keep the sympathetic nervous system activated. That means they are sensitzed sndcready for fight/flight/freeze. That unpleasany association grows to include all that goes with it, including the person. This is not helpful for building trust in the relationship, in fact, it may be working against it In addition, the rope is very strong and tightly braided. It does not give and it will not break.
There are ways to teach your horse to lead and be safe without the use of aversives. A flat halter is not, onto itself, aversive. With thoughtful training it never will be, the light, non-escalating pressure can be taught through R+. As another reminder, R+ DOES include preparing our horses to listen and learn to respond even in highly stimulsting situations. Even sharp, sudden cues can be taught to prepare for unpredictable and potentioally scary situations, without creating pain and fear. If you need a rope halter, we understand! But it does indicate a need to address whatever it is that makes them feel so worried. They are communicating that they feel need to flee. A good goal is to work toward being able to use a kinder, more gentle halter. There are some powerful tools to help you reach that goal. --- Shawna Karresch Equine
