This week I would like to discuss the topic of the green horse (uneducated) and the newer rider combination. It seems far too often that newer riders romanticize the idea of pairing up with a green horse. The idea being that the horse and themselves will both learn together. This to me is a very bad idea where neither party wins.

***Advanced, seasoned riders can give unsure, insecure horses a tremendous amount of confidence.***

The combination of a green rider and green horse is one that will not benefit either party involved. The horse will learn far too many habits of ill behavior. The person will most likely end up getting hurt and/or giving up on horses out of frustration.

Horses in general are a very complicated lot. Even for someone who is experienced at being around and dealing with horses regularly. The fact that each horse is different in the way that they learn and behave adds a huge variable to the way in which they should be approached.

Because of this, a person has to have several different exercises and techniques to draw upon in order to be effective at advancement. The idea of there being one, set way, of dealing with horses is non-existent.

Just as people learn from several different approaches, the same is true for the ability of horses to learn. A person new to horses does not have the skill set involved for positive education.

For someone who is new to riding, a more advanced horse is a way better fit. In this scenario the horse has the ability to actually teach the person! An advanced horse will tolerate a lot of poor handling and mis-cues.

They will "fill in" for a person and not be as thrown off by being ridden out of balance. Even when poorly asked, an advanced horse will engage into a trot or lope and slow down when things get off track.

The horse, as a teacher, can communicate lightness back to the rider in hopes of it being paid attention to. The idea of having to kick and jerk and pull and spur is not driven into a person's psyche.

***Seasoned riders have a lot to teach these young horses. This is the first ride on my filly.***

An advanced, responsive, well behaved horse will keep a green rider in a joyful state of being. This, in turn, leads someone new to horses wanting to stick with it and learn more.

The flip side of all this is the green rider, green horse combination. I would say that most, if not all, green horses are very spirited. It only takes a whisper of a cue to have them jumping forward, sideways or even straight up. A whisper... This could be a lesson in lightness right? Wrong.

For the advanced horseman this lightness can be kept in the horse. They know how to move in relation to and go with the horse. Building a sense of comfort and trust.

For the person new to horses the sudden jumps and lunges can be unnerving. The whisper of a cue that results in movement is immediately followed by a jerk on the reins. As the horse moves with tension and a feeling of insecurity, they need to be supported.

An immediate pull on the reins from nervous energy is one that discourages movement and leads to dullness. I mean dullness in response to outside cues not dullness in spirit. The green horse remains troubled and unsure. The green rider has to slowly, over time do more and more to get anything done.

This previous example is not the only way in which things can go wrong. A person new to horses can often times have a romantic idea of the horse/rider relationship. Horses can be looked upon as cute, cuddly and snuggly. "Ahh he loves me. He keeps coming up to sniff and be pet on."

No boundaries are set and pretty soon the horse is learning that they can move the humans feet. Anytime that a person gives up ground to a horse they are submitting. Leading a horse to establish their dominance.

Soon to follow in this relationship is nipping, pushing, and possibly kicking. Also comes the idea that they don't have to move when they are asked. They move the human, not the other way around.

Once a horse learns that they are the ones leading the dance it quickly becomes something less than ideal. The dance can become more of a mosh pit than a ballet. The horse, from past experience, has learned that they can do pretty much whatever they want.

It is not long until they push through the bit and just head for home. Or maybe they blow off the riders cues and throw a fit.

Pawing at the ground or even rearing up. Situations such as these can escalate quickly and become very dangerous. Horses are big animals and trying to out-muscle them will not work. This kind of behavior is sure to discourage most anyone from wanting to continue on.

These examples may seem slightly extreme. I mention this not to scare a person or discourage them from wanting to be around horses. I myself love riding and horses in general.

They are magnificent animals and there is often no greater joy that I seek than an evening spent with a horse companion. I am relating this in hopes that the cycle of green on green be lessened.

Have a friend, loved one, or young person start out on an advanced horse. Or if you yourself are newer to horses and are thinking of getting something to learn alongside.

Get an advanced horse and learn to be with them. Establish a good riding seat. Learn to move with the horse. Only then can one hope to help them learn.

Enjoy many safe and fun filled rides.

Happy Trails!

Eric

Easton Horsemanship