Relationship Building/Teaching With Treats

I have witnessed a lot of confusion and debate regarding the use of treats both in building a relationship with a horse and in training or teaching a horse. Many people have heard of or used Clicker Training as a method of training a horse, and makes it especially easy to teach “Trick Training”.

People are very pleased when their horse comes over to them, sniffing and nuzzling and acting very friendly. These things are very nice, but when someone is looking to deepen and develop a true friendship with a horse, we need to examine the horses’ motivation, the humans’ motivation, and the results of using treats.

I will try to express what I know about this by relating my observations with my three very different horses.

Let’s start with Bryn: he is young, turning 4 on June 16^th. When I give him treats, his attention is consumed with getting MORE! His attention is certainly on me, but not on learning, not on the lesson at hand, only on putting more yummy things in his mouth. He becomes mouthy when he does not get what he is looking for, and since he is already very orally fixated, I do not necessarily want to encourage this. My conclusions with him are that while treats are a nice surprise every now and again, they have no place in our communication and lessons, at least not until he matures enough to develop discipline in lessons.

Vita is a slightly different story, and has actually changed my position on treats just a bit. For a while during the winter, I started giving her treats every time I went to see her, to help put her in a better mood, and to be a little friendlier toward me. After a very short time, she started expecting, and then demanding them. She hovered around me, blocking my path, and even pushing a bit. She began to get very aggressive, pinning her ears, and trying to bite. I stopped all treating and made the assumption that she should not get treats, except as a rare surprise. Lately, I started giving her one or two treats here and there, and then walking away from her. I would not keep a routine; just treat randomly and sometimes not at all. We had the greatest lesson the other day, and I incorporated treats. I discovered a different part of Vita. While she was still looking for treats, she discovered that I did not always relinquish them. She followed me around, asking politely, but never demanding. I put the cordeo on her, and together we learned about walk-halt transitions with the cordeo, without me being ahead of her and vice versa. Every now and then, I would give a treat and immediately move onto something else for her to think about. The unity and understanding between us was something we had not yet experienced. I have to add, that I do NOT attribute this entirely to the treats! She had just been adjusted by the chiropractor and I think was feeling exceptionally comfortable and lively.

And now onto Daisha. She is such a different story because she has such vastly different life experiences. Being so timid, she has no reason to trust humans to be near her, to touch her. I have used treats with her as sort of a white flag, or olive branch…a peace offering, to demonstrate to her that I mean only good. For the first few weeks she was with me, I did not use treats. I tried gaining her trust by simply being there and respecting her space. This surely is a great way to help a horse to regain trust. But I felt that this did little to demonstrate my intentions, and that they are good! So with my peace offering, I was able to get closer to her, and to offer a bit of comfort while introducing a bit of discomfort (my hand on her neck or shoulder). In a short while, the discomfort of my touch was transformed to comfort as we found delightful itchy places. Treats now give her the confidence to come to me and ask for something, a snack, a scratch, a kiss on the nose. If I notice her getting a bit more timid, especially after some of “pushing the boundaries”, like hoof trimming, I present my peace offering, and she visibly relaxes and becomes soft again. There will surely be times, as her confidence strengthens and our relationship deepens, that I will not use treats as often, and that Daisha, as with Bryn and Vita, they will become what they truly are: a treat. Not a staple or a crutch.

Here are things to keep in mind when debating the use of treats. First, is why you feel the need to use them? If you find yourself using them to bring your horses’ attention to you, to get him to “pay attention”, then chances are, he is acting that way not for you, but for the food. That demonstrates a lack of depth in the friendship. Don’t despair!! All this means is that you may want to take a step back and rediscover each other. If your horse does not seem to want to be around you, try examining your intentions and how your actions appear to your horse. I will expand on interacting with horses and gaining their attention in another post, later.

Treats can create a false sense of closeness. The horse may only be friendly because he wants treats, not because he wants to participate in our activities.

To truly see and feel if a horse wants to be with us, we should not need to coerce them or bribe them. A horse may put aside discomfort, in order to get their snack. If this is the case, we are not actually giving the horse freedom of choice. A horse will show their use of choice by either choosing to be with us because we stimulate and intrigue them, or they will choose to do their own thing, regardless of what we want.

The best example of misusing treats is using them to entice a horse to stretch. This can cause a horse to overstretch and possibly hurt himself in order to get his snack. If a horse learns to stretch by simple human/equine communication, he can become strong and flexible without fear of damage, and by increasing communication.

Think carefully on what treats mean to both you and your horse. Think about and observe his behavior both with treats and without treats. Be creative in thinking up activities to stimulate your horse and create interest in being with you. It is important to have fun in devising new games and activities. And most of all, remember this! The horse is Always right!

The Horse is Always Right: what does this mean?

The horse is governed by instinct. Ever action and reaction is instinct telling them to do something, or NOT do something.

We are governed by rules, that either ourselves or our society have created. We do not often use instinct.

Instincts have allowed the horse to survive for as long as they have.
So, a decision made by a horse can mean life or death.

In domestication, the horse responds in ways to protect itself from pain and stress. Sometimes we see these actions and reactions and wish to alter them for our own convenience or for our own pleasure, or for some, a sense of control and dominance.
What this results in is the horses' natural instinct, sense of self, his VOICE is silenced. He cannot as easily express pain and discomfort, or he must choose between that, and punishment.

BUT if we respect that the HORSE is ALWAYS right, we can seek to understand WHY the horse does certain things, and how we can adjust our own sensibility to give the horse his voice, to educate US about what HE needs and wants.
It's surprising to discover what a horse likes and dislikes when he is given his voice unconditionally. Over time, the horse may CHOOSE to be with us, without force, without coercion.

For a VERY simple exercise in listening to the horses' voice...groom him at liberty (no halters!) with brushes. Groom him as thought you were going to ride. If he doesn't walk away, groom him with your hands, in all the sensitive areas that many horses might get touchy. If he is still with you, walk away from him. Does he follow you? Does he know how to ask for more grooming? What is his body language while you groom? Does he return the favor or just stand there and tolerate it?
If he refuses something, what is your reaction?

*If your horse bites you, WHAT DO YOU DO?*

Returning to the Horse, His Voice

I would like to share an idea that may be a rather difficult concept. The idea behind what I do with my horses, is giving them a voice, an opinion of their own, and a chance to be heard. I do this, to help build their trust in me, their faith that I am a friend, and that everything I do for them is in their best interest, and I do this by removing punishment of any kind.

This seems like a simple idea, to have respect for the horse, to love your friend! But when we really get into the matter, the real idea of the horses' voice, it becomes a bit more complicated and lot more difficult to understand and execute.

This is also where the idea that The Horse is Always Right comes into play.

Here is how I explain this concept:

My mare, Vita, has been handled in a traditional manner for 13 years, since birth. She came to me August 22, 2008. Since then, she is not scolded for the grouchy faces she makes, the threats with her hinds, or any behavior considered negative in the traditional world. She is not pressured in any way to act in a certain way.

She has a problem with her shoulder which also affects her diagonal stifle. Because of this, there are areas of her body that she does not like touched. There are certain ways she does not like to be touched, and certain days that she does not like to be touched, even certain seasons!

She indicates this in the language of Equus. She pins her ears, tosses her head, and stomps her feet and will usually walk away. If something REALLY bothers her, or I startle her with my touch, she will kick out, or snap her teeth.

During a chiropractic adjustment, I noticed Vita's severe agitation at being touched. At several points, she snapped her teeth down toward me while stood by her head. Never having had her bite me, I offered my arm. Sounds a bit crazy, I know. She never bit me. Every time, she would restrain herself. The restraint and frustration was so vivid in her expression. I have carried that with me for weeks after.

Not long ago, Vita was bitten by another horse, a playful gelding, but rather painfully, a clean slice. I checked it every day to make sure it was healing well. One day, I ran my hand along her shoulder below her withers, and suddenly she swung around and smacked my back with her open jaws! It was the first time she had made contact in a effort to bite! (thank heavens for winter and thick coats!) I jumped back and was startled, and she reacted by pulling back also, ready to be punished. I stroked her, and told her what a good girl she is, that I understand she is in pain, and does not want me to touch her in that place! Upon further investigation, she had a second bite, still swollen, that I had run my hand right over, firmly, without knowing. She was telling me, the only way she knew how, that she had been hurt.

Since this time, she has bitten me (again, thanks for nice thick winter jackets) only twice more, and each time with greater confidence. The last time, she snagged my sweatshirt, and when I did nothing, did not scold, did not react in any way other than to stop what I had been doing, I could feel her whole body sigh and say "thank you".

What is important to observe here, is that while I respect what Vita tells me, like when to stop, what hurts, etc, I also understand that her pain is chronic, and we have developed an understanding that sometimes things HAVE to be done....first aide must be administered, or that just want to understand the problem so I can address it in the best way I can. By keeping this in the forefront of my intent, I can let Vita have her voice, I can encourage her to use her voice loudly! She can give me her feedback, she can show me her language, and I understand it.

By letting the horse use his/her voice, we can offer our trustworthiness. By refraining from punishing the horse for expressing himself, we can show that we can be a friend. We can discover a new, different, and incredible relationship with the horse that is far more rewarding than our traditional means of controlling and insisting upon the horse.

Let Me Teach You

Let Me Teach You

by Willis Lamm

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.
When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.
When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.
When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.
When you are self absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion.
When you are tired, let me carry the load.
When you need to learn, let me teach you.
After all, I am your horse

Welcome and Introduction

Welcome to Becoming Equal with Equus.

My purpose with this space to share my experience working with my 3 horses in a way different than any method on the market.

There are no tricks or quick-fixes. I do not consider this "training" but rather, building a relationship and a friendship based on loyalty, trust, friendship and love. Any achievements are simply a by-product of the relationship, and a way to keep an active creature (horse) fit and healthy.

I have had many teachers. The most important one (and yes, this sounds incredibly cliche) is the horse. A wise man once said "the Horse is Always Right". I believe this to be true, and I follow this phrase with every moment I spend with my horses.

I observe many teachers. I enjoy what I learn, including the teachers who show what NOT to do. Over time, I will divulge the teachers who have taught me the most valuable lessons, and why I hold them in esteem, and what of their teachings I leave out.

I will also share what I learn of barefoot hoofcare. I trim my own horses and hope to expand that realm of my knowledge.

I hope others can read this, and expand their view of the horse. We must step out of what has been handed down generation after generation, and begin to learn and think for ourselves.