21 March Robert Miller

21 March

Willy told me he is a big fan of Robert Miller. We spent the morning watching a video by Robert Miller and talking about it.

The video covered:
(1) Desensitizing the horse through repetition. How it is situation sensitive;
(2) Teaching the horse to choose between evils with a lip chain;
(3) Using the hobble to train an aggressive confrontational horse.Important to note that the horse lives in a herd where there is a pecking order. It is important for him to know his place. Horses understand domination. It is important that the horse understands he is below humans in the pecking order. The hobble leaves then horse impotent and helpless. When he realises the trainer has the power to take away a leg and give it back he knows his place. It is important that this is done with no brutality or hostility. Patience, persistence and consistency are the important watch words. As Willy is always saying it isn't what you do it's the way that you do it!
(4) Imprint training at birth is very valuable. Foal is at his most receptive for learning at birth. It can set a foal up for life.

Willy told me that it is important to understand the cause of aggression/ bad behaviour. Is it because the horse has pain or is it a lack of submission? The two are often hand in hand.

A foal can be born with pain....maybe due to a difficult birth or to the way he falls from the mare!

Taking responsibility for my choices. Don't blame the vet or the farrier....they are doing their best....To grow we have to admit to our mistakes and learn from them. Blaming defeats this.