Behaviour
Boosting confidence • Teaching good manners • Stopping spooky behaviour
“Remember that horses are incredibly kind animals, so smile at them, as they can read our expressions, and appreciate them every day”
QHave you any advice for upping my confidence whenever I’m working with my horse? I’d love to be cool, calm and collected, but nerves often hold me back as my horse senses it. Ava Jones, Swansea
Emma says... My best advice would be to always try to set yourself up for success and bear in mind the following key points:
First, look at your horse’s lifestyle as a whole. Make sure his friends are the right kind for the type of horse he is, and that he has enough turnout, and is happy, healthy and fulfilled.
Whatever you do with your horse, have fun. If you’re enjoying what you’re doing with him, everything is always going to go better and be more enjoyable for him which, in turn, will make him happier and more cooperative.
Never get fixated on a particular training method. If you understand the underlying principles you can use any method of training and be kind and effective.
Practice — we all become proficient at things we practise a lot.
Remember that horses are incredibly kind animals, so smile at them, as they can read our expressions, and appreciate them every single day.