Cheerleading and Coaching Horses ( Moved to community.thehorsesadvocate.com )
Tour the new home of The Horse’s Advocate
This post has been updated and moved to our new private community.
The content is still free, but visitors must create an account to see it on all web browsers and an app on any phone or tablet. It is no different than becoming a member of a private Facebook group, except this is more secure and filled with like-minded people (horse advocates). It is also accessible on any phone or tablet, making access very easy.
Please click this link (or the link at the top) to explore all of the features in a tour video, then sign in to view all of the content presented in a secure, beautiful, and easily accessible way on any device. You can also get notified of added material.
So true Dr T. I am always a cheerleader when it comes to my horse, and husband… Lol
Positive reinforcement is so important for our horses well being. I just finished a course on how to listen and communicate with our horses, very powerful stuff, and we get more out of our beloved pets, horses and people with positiveness than anything else. Thanks Dr T. I love your letters and I really enjoyed you course on equine nutrition. Thank you for putting all your knowledge out there!!!
Thank you for reading and enrolling and sharing. I am grateful.
This is a great reminder, and one that works super well with Tuff. I use this on our dogs too. When my now 16 yo daughter was a toddler, she’d climb all over our dog, invade her space, etc.. When I’d observe this from a distance I’d say, “Maggie is such a good girl, you’re such a good girl,” and she’d shift her focus to me and visibly relax, banishing any snarly thoughts.
She was looking for leadership in a situation she was unsure of. Your cheerleading / energy gave her guidance. Perfect example!
I guess it all goes back to the old saying “You can catch more flies with honey than Vinegar.
Thanks!
I admit, I am a nagger. Especially when it comes to my husband, but most of all when it comes to myself! As a writer and editor by profession, one of my traits that has made me successful is an immense capacity for critical thinking, which can easily slide into just plain old being critical–of myself even more than others.
My first huge lesson as a horseman was that self-criticism of my riding is perceived by my horse as criticism of *her.* It was hurting our relationship. Now I’m confronting a new lesson in leadership–which is another word for this topic–as I read your blog post.
Doc T, please help! How can I be a cheerleader and a positive, encouraging force when I let you know that your post needs editing?
😁
LOL – remember that most readers are not skilled at literature. I gave up a long time ago in trying to be perfect. Telling someone you love them doesn’t need to be perfect! Just say it because the meat of the message is more important than the spelling, syntax and puntuation – see how I misspelled that 😉 For me, receiving these positive comments is what makes me grateful. I find being grateful in having a horse and the ability to ride should bring out the cheerleader in you. And isn’t cheerleading leadership??? Coaching is just being a boss, a dictator. So glad you discovered this on your own with your horse. Improvement will come quickly.
Works on dogs at the vet’s too!!! Nailed it!
Thanks Sally! Energy is EVERYTHING!
Great Info, Doc T. My holistic vet was in the barn aisle administering acupuncture to my horse when all of a sudden we heard rumbles of what sounded like an earthquake. Immediately I started telling Dover what a good boy he was. Even though his eyes grew wide, he stayed still, trusting my soothing words. After several seconds (which felt more like minutes) it stopped. Turns out our cupola was working its way loose from the roof. I was so proud of how calm he stayed. I guess you could also say that acupuncture really works!
Thanks, again, Doc T. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
By cheerleading your horse you were able to control your anxiety from the unusual noise. You became the leader and your horse followed your leadership. Great example!
Good one!! The barefoot trimmer I use (when she’s not hurt) could use this approach, if she were open to it. Instead of “cheerleading” she “coaches” with a heavy hand, fights the horse and ends up hurt (none of my horses have ever hurt her). Then blames the horse for being bad and the owner for not properly training their horse. She’s incredibly competent which is why my horses and I endure her when she’s healed and working. My equine dentist used to be the same way, but she grew out of it and is now one of the best cheerleaders. My horses enjoy her visits, as do I – even the ones who endured her “angry” years. Thanks for the post!
Thanks for these examples.
A great reminder, thank you! Sometimes the best thing to do is NOTHING. I so enjoyed watching Melissa float my 19-year-old Alpha mare’s teeth. Am always amazed at how eager horses are to please when given calm, positive guidance. No, it doesn’t always work. No horse (or person for that matter) is perfect, but who doesn’t prefer a smile to a scowl? Temple Grandin always says to tell a horse exactly what you want it to do in as few words as possible with the most important words at the end of the sentence, as these are the ones they really hear. As in, “stop your feet,” not “I wish you’d quit running circles around me.” It’s a minor, but really important difference. The same as between coaching and cheering!
Thanks Antionette!
I always enjoy your emails and your stories . I love your Tesla tales.
Thanks Sally