While reading Gabriele Rachen and Klaus Schoneich’s book Straightening The Crooked Horse I am once again reminded of the harm that can be done on a horse by pushing it too hard too fast mentally or physically. We are teaching the horse concepts that it will use to interact with humans for the rest of its life so why the hurry.
Many disciplines have become too focused on how soon a horse can start competing so it can earn money and points. Some of these same horses break down and are no longer competing before the prime of their life. This is where the Western and Eastern philosophies collide. A good dressage trainer will take as many years as the horse needs to prepare it for competition. It is not uncommon for a horse to be just starting its career when many western horses are ending theirs. These same dressage horses go on to compete and continue to improve well into their teens and some into their early 20′s.
I have to applaud those Western disciplines that have done their best to steer away from the usual approach and actually encourage trainers to slow down. By extending futurities to the six year olds, the reining discipline has taken this important step in slowing the push to start a horse’s career too early. If we would all be more anxious to prolong our horses careers instead of increasing our earnings, we may find we have partners that stay sound physically and mentally for a much longer and more rewarding life.
Pushing a horse too far too fast will lead to unwanted behaviors
In like mind, owners of horses that are put in training, need to be understanding when the trainer tells them it may take three to six weeks to get their horse on track as opposed to those claiming to be able to turn any horse around in three to six days. It is good for a trainer to push their skills for an early deadline, but not at the horses expense. Some training issues are also physical issues meaning that muscles need to be stretched, built and strengthened. In the end, the horse needs to be the winner, not the trainer.
And while a talented trainer could get so good at what they do as to be able to turn a horse around in a fraction of the time, when the horse goes home will the training be solid enough that the owner can continue with the horse on that same path. Yes, the horse learns how to be more responsive to a professional rider, but does the owner learn how to ride their new horse in this same short time? It takes thousands of consistent repetitions for both horse and rider to unlearn old habits as well as learn new habits that will keep them both on the right track.
So while I applaud those who are incredibly proficient in their field, I caution us all to be willing and able to allow the time for those people and horses that may need extra time to become solid both mentally and/or physically and able to handle all we will be asking during our time together. If we take the time now to put in the strongest possible foundation, we will be deeply rewarded with a strong and long lasting partnership with our horse, physically as well as mentally.
