When your horse makes a "mistake". Part 2

There was an accident on the trail yesterday and the rider was taken away by an ambulance. The horse tripped, got caught in the reins, panicked, the rider fell, and then the horse fell on her.

The ambulance was able to drive down the trail in a special AWD vehicle and retrieve the rider that has probably broken her leg. We are still waiting for confirmation.

It was a freak incident. Rider and horse are well tuned trail horses and have lots of miles under their belt. But accidents happen.

So what did the horse do? The mare stood stock still next to its owner until help came. Friends and family made it to the trail section of the incident and walked the mare home while the owner got loaded in the ambulance to then spend several hours at the hospital getting x-rays.

Clearly this wasn't a "mistake". But I thought I would spend some time thinking about the "correct answer" before I deep dive into the land of errors, snafus, and miscommunications.

Having started three young horses now, I have come to appreciate the analogy of The Box. My mentor taught me this concept many years ago when we were starting horse #1 together. I caveat all that follows with the statement that I am an unaccomplished amateur rider with opinions that far exceed my abilities. I am also an educator and University professor and have a fine appreciation for the learning experience in humans and horses (and dogs).

The Box

I have come to recognize that the "correct answer" adjusts over time as we increase precision, adjust the lightness of our aids and give the horse more room for mistakes. An analogy to childhood learning would be:

1. Recognize the letter A and the corresponding sound.
2. Identify A as the first letter for apple, ant, animal.
3. Carry a pencil in your hand and scribble.
4. Create the shape of A in block letters, perhaps with someone holding your hand.
5. Transcribe the letter A in small and large caps.
6. Learn how to spell Ant.
7. Write Ant without copying.
8. Learn how to write A in cursive.
9. and many years later, be able to write and spell in block and cursive, Atrocious Analogy.

Back to The Box analogy, this means that the precision of my request narrows The Box over time, and would look something like this:

1. Cluck means forward.
2. Leg means forward. Anywhere, anyhow, at any speed.
3. Calf means forward. Anywhere, anyhow, at any speed.
4. Different calf pressure means different directions and speeds. Rein pressure and seat also require adjustments.
5. Intention and seat mean something. Horse should maintain "something" until asked otherwise. Calf and rein pressure are only added when the intention is not followed through.
6. Intention means something. No other aids are used unless not responsive. Then the progression continues with seat, calf, rein, leg, direct rein. If the aid progression is required more than a few times, go back to step 2.

The Box acts in two ways. It makes the intention clear between rider and horse. It increases the precision as the aids disappear. It allows for a ladder progression and return to basics when the correct answer is elusive. It also encourages the rider to both provide an immediate release of the aids, and a progression of the aids from a "whisper of intention" to the "crisp request of an obvious aid".

I believe that many riding schools and coaches do not teach their students to whisper.

I believe that horses have an ability to sense our intention that we often do not give them credit for.

I believe that many riders dull the horse with a constant presence of the aids in reins, legs and seat.

I believe that horses are quick to provide the "correct answer" if given the opportunity and an immediate release.

I believe that horses take comfort and confidence in clarity, consistency and the release associated with the "correct answer".

I believe that horses can rise up to our expectations. 

I believe that we should ride the horse we want.

I believe we need to be quiet.

I recognize with time that narrowing The Box increases the opportunity for the horse to make "mistakes". And so providing the space for the horse to achieve the "correct answer" with only intention as our aid means we need to have a clear yet respectful way to correct "mistakes" while recognizing that sometimes we are the problem.