Every now and then you here a story, it touches a cord and you know others will benefit from the telling. Soso’s story reminds us of every child who never had a pony, the child who ‘made do’ with whatever animal encounters (s)he could seek out, and the life-long love of animals that ensued. Soso’s story follows, in her own words, and she shares some great ideas about how to learn more about horse and animal training – even if you don’t own a horse!
Just wanted to thank you for taking on some of the biggest issues in the horse world today…. as a young girl I always wanted my own horse but came from a poor family so it was not to be…..
As I grew older, I spent many years working around horses,cleaning stalls, exercising, etc. learning as much as I could and riding whenever someone would offer me a mount to work with…. never had any formal training as most of the trainers I had access to at that time were rough, even cruel to their show horses in the name of winning ribbons…. I just couldn’t bring myself to treat horses in that way…
Though I may not have had my own horse during those years I spent the time learning about other animals as well, working in zoos and museums and eventually acquiring my own USDA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Educators licenses, as well as a wonderful group of exotics, mammals, birds of prey, insects and reptiles who traveled with me to help teach people of all ages about respect and understanding for the other creatures that share this planet with us….
During that time I also had the opportunity to engage in many different animal interaction programs with elephants, sea mammals and big cats learning about the training methods used by trainers at Sea World, Ringling Brothers’ circus and Disney World among others… these methods were different than what I had seen being used with horses and dogs, for the most part by people who believe that animals need to be “dominated”… the exotic and sea mammal trainers I worked with had very different methods, kindness and empathy for the animals feelings ruled the training sessions…. and I learned how to communicate what I wanted not just with voice cues but with body language as well….
When I turned 50 a few years ago I decided that it was time to revisit my deepest desire to acquire a horse, however, after doing quite a bit of research I decided to start with a mule!!! I never regretted that decision and still have mules today…. I will always remember my first mule Tigger who taught me a lot about training equines of all types especially as she was a rescue case and needed retraining on a grand scale…. I learned how to work with her rather than try to beat her into submission and to this day I refuse to carry a crop or whip while working with equines…… there is no need if you put in the time to train properly from the ground first and develop a strong relationship based on friendship not fear….
To be honest I’m not into the horse training method du’jour, instead I take the lessons I have learned while working with other animals and bring them to my equine training with great success… I enjoy reading what other people have to say about their own training methods but mine is a potpourri of methods learned over a period of 30 years which allows me to evaluate each animal as an individual and create a training method that works for that particular animal…. it is unfortunate that too many trainers treat horses in the same way without giving any thought to individual needs creating a cookie cutter methodology which is easy for the trainer but hell on the individual horses they train….
I know a lot of people in the horsie set here in New England think that I’m nothing more than a stall mucker and stable hand, however, all those years mucking stalls, working closely with horses of all types, observing behaviors has given me a base education in equines that goes far beyond a couple of hours a week taking a riding lesson from some trainer who may or may not be competent or even empathetic to the animals they are training… for many training horses and riders is nothing more than a paycheck…..
Based on my own experiences I hope you will encourage all horse owners and trainers to participate in animal interaction programs with other species in order to start thinking outside the box… most aquariums and zoos offer some sort of “trainers day” or “behind the scenes” tours to patrons in order to help people learn more about training methods….
Just because someone has won a couple of blue ribbons or even an Olympic Gold Medal does not mean that they are humane or even capable trainers…. as far as I’m concerned if they need to use methods such as Rollkur, harsh bits, whips, etc., I consider them incompetent, lazy idiots who have the empathy level of a kumquat…. harsh perhaps, but with all of the amazing things that people are doing these days without the use of cruel methods and equipment it’s time that we set the bar a lot higher when it comes to working with and training one of the most beautiful creatures that walks this planet….
With thanks so Soso for sharing her story, which is used here with permission.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Soso, I agree with you totally.
‘THE MORE CLOBBER, THE WORSE THE RIDER’
I teach equestrian riding to willing riders through mental, emotional and physical self control by the rider, using your mind for telepathic communication with the horse, your body language, accurate and controlled body and limb positioning, and positive reinforcement practices.
I tell clients that the more clobber and gadgets that they have on the horse (i.e. nose bands, martingales, tie downs etc etc) and the more clobber and gadgets that the rider has on themselves (i.e. whips, spurs etc) that in my opinion this demonstrates the evidence that the rider has a distinct lack of skill, knowledge and understanding of working alongside our equestrian friends and a total lack of understanding and empathy for the animals welfare and wellbeing.
Put simply the the rider is simply a ‘çontrol freak’ whose deep conscious or unconscious aim is to control and manipulate the horse (or any animal).
There is a definite lack of understanding that the horse (or any animal) is a sentient being that has anatomical and physiological attributes that encompass highly developed sensory senses that can detect a range of stimuli, right down to the extremely sensitive sensory receptors that inform the nervous system that a small fly or other insect has landed on their hair of their body.
With this level of sensitivity and sensory perception available to the horse it is of deep concern to me that horses be subjected to the cruel and harsh treatments that humans inflict upon them in the course of equestrian activities and so called ‘equestrian sporting events’ where the use of an array of incredibly cruel ‘gadgets of force and control’ are legally allowed and on the majority their use is condoned as an acceptable and essential part of equitation.
These pathetic human practices of control and manipulation will one-day be considered archaic and the pratises of the current human civilization and humanities treatment and exploitation of animals will be deplored and condemned.
I will share with you a poem that was communicated to me by a Khartoum a beautiful intelligent thoroughbred horse that had been exploited by humanity, heavily drugged and forced to race as a galloper until he was 7 years of age simply for humanities greed and then was destined for the slaughterhouse alongside billions of other animals as a disposable commodity.
Khartoum
In the barriers
At the at the start of the race
The gates fly open
I leap forward to set the pace
My head is held high
Mouth wide open, searing in pain
Tensed and torn by the cruel steel bit
My eyes flash wild and wide
My muscles twitch and quiver
In fear of the ride
Down the home straight
I am not far back
Out come the whips
Their burning pain
Again and again
Hitting and cutting
Opening up and bleeding
Is the flesh of my sides
My heart is racing
My lungs are exploding
My sides are heaving
As I gallop across the finishing line
Yes I have won
But what a life
As I live in fear
Of the knackers knife
So please when you ride me
Be gentle with the rein
No longer inflict me with cruelty and pain
For I am your friend
Willing to learn
To work alongside you
No longer a servant to humanities greed
Thank you for reading this beautiful poem which was communicated by Khartoum (7 year old ex racehorse) to Alexandria – CritterChatter
Hi Alexandria,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and especially Khartoum’s poem…
It is wonderful to hear of how you work with horses and students.
I agree with you of compassionate consideration for the horse, the part of the ‘partnership’ who really doesn’t have much choice in being ridden. I think you are on the whole right about the excessive and much-abused gear, however a trainer or rider can use a whip as a teaching aid, so to that end, I don’t think it means that everyone who carries a whip is going to ‘give a horse a hiding’. A considerate trainer can obtain enhanced understanding and communication with the horse through a tap or a light touch of the whip, as much as a firmer tap. The key is in the timing and the cessation of the signal. This makes it truly clear to the horse.
If we look at any great rider, trainer or handler who we ourselves personally admire – you will see they use a rope, a bridle, halter, stick of some type (whether the horse is ever touched with it – for guidance say), so therefore is that not still a gadget or an aid in use?
Positive reinforcement certainly has a valuable place in the training of animals, at the same time, many people are confused over what negative reinforcement entails (i.e. there is a problem with the word association, as I discussed here).
Thanks once again for your thoughts and input ; )