Why We Have Poblem Horses

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Why We have Problem Horses Victor Yasco Equine Appraiser
by Victor Yasco Equine Appraisals - TJS Equine Appraisers

It is the hardest pill for all of us would be horseman to swallow, but it is absolutely true, if the horse is not responding properly, we are probably doing something wrong. Horses almost always mirror their owners. Sure, basic physical problems such as poor conformation or a nervous disposition can make a horse more difficult to train. Or emotional problems brought on by previous bad experiences can cause difficulties. Keeping your horse in a stall all week and expecting him to come out of the stall calm and relaxed is another mistake that has become very common. Many of the behaviors we feel need to be corrected can be helped with regular
turnouts.

Our horses need repetition and patience If we don’t know or understand the basics principals of correct riding and training, we could be making mistakes . If we are highly skilled and educated trainer or rider, we can still make mistakes in the way we apply the basics to any individual horse. If a horse steps on your foot, it’s probably your fault for having it were it does not belong. If he does it again, it’s your fault for not being quick enough and firm enough with correction the first time it happened. Correction, however is not the answer in most points of finer riding. If your horse does not execute a certain pattern, ask yourself if you were clear with your request. If a horse is capable of doing what you have asked, it is up to you to ask in such a way that he will do it. Be sure your horse really understands how to do the exercise you are asking for, and remember repetition is needed to confirm he has learned it. Doing what you have asked one time doesn’t mean he can do it every time you ask. Repetition with patience is a key to communication.

Once you understand that the answer to your horse’s problem is probably yourself, you are on your way to finding solutions in your relationship with your horse. Horses learn best through the release of pressure. We ask for a step and when we get it, we immediately release the pressure as a way to tell the horse they got the answer correct. Consistency is one of the first principals you should learn for good communication. Poor communication by being inconsistent is one of the main reasons so many horses today develop bad habits.

Learning to read a horse takes experience with many horses and practice. Horses are individuals and so are their owners. In the modern world most of us spend much more time with people than we do with horses, not to mention most share a common language, and look how difficult it can be to understand our fellow humans. Horses are a thinking animal but they don’t look at life the way we do. Humans think like predators and horses think like prey animals. Horses are born knowing everything they need to survive. Horses want to get along with us so if they aren’t doing what we ask the it almost always means they aren’t sure what we are asking.

Before I train a horse, I study him running loose in the pasture or arena and watch when he is being handled by his owner. I watch his eyes, because they do have expression in them. It is important to understand those expressions. A horse can glare in anger and can show fright in his eyes. A horse’s eye can look soft, showing relaxation and willingness. They can have a worried look, which indicates lack of understanding about what you are asking the horse. If the worried look is still there even when the horse is not being handled, they indicate a nervous disposition, a health problem or a lack of trust. It is the action that accompanies each look that tells you its meaning, not the imaginings of your mind. This brings me to an important point. Only on rare occasion and for specific reasons should you ever look a horse straight in the eye. Hardly any horses like it. You can check a horse’s eye expression with a quick glance or watch it out from the corner of your eye. I check it often while I am handling him from the ground and whenever the horse turns his head while I am on him.

If you handle a lot of different horses and make it a habit of studying the shape and expressions of their heads, you can lean a lot. Horses tell a lot about their moods by watching their ears, their tails if they are swishing and their lips. You must translate all the nuances of expressions you have seen on the ground into what you felt when you are on the horses back. You have to listen while you are working a horse to see if he understands. If the feed back is positive you know you can continue what you are doing and make progress. If the feed back isn’t positive don’t be afraid to make some changes in the way you are working with your horse.

About Victor
For the past 15 years Victor has been involved in horses, starting as a hobby, progressing to shows, consulting, and buying and selling of quality horses.
Is Victor Qualified To Appraise Horses?
Absolutely! In addition to the vast knowledge of horses gathered over 15 years of intense work with horses, classes on hooves and anatomy, Victor successfully completed a 35 hour course on principles of Valuation and is a Certified Member of the American society equine appraisers
Lic. nb—04358
Victor is also a member of:
AQHA—QUARTER HORSE
AMHA—MORGAN HORSE
APHA---- PAINT HORSES
NOTE: Victor is also certified to evaluate WORKING RANCH HORSES
Equine Appraisals by TJS Appraisers
Equine Appraisals by TJS Equine Appraisers
Contact: Victor Yosco
16 Sherry Lanes
Saddlebrook, New Jersey
Phone: 201-226-9897--Cell 201-519-7137
Email: VY541@OPTONLINE.COM

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