[Endorphins4u2]

When starting horses, as long as you can earn the horse's trust and respect, does it matter how you get the job done or how long it takes you ?

Going on what the various forums says, everyone's technique is wrong or has some flaw.

Is that possible ? 1000's of years living and working with horses and no one has come up with "THE" method everyone approves of ?

[AllAroundRdr]

There's MULTIPLE training approaches with same/similar outcomes. Every horse is different and therefore training approaches change/vary (or should) -- Life isn't black and white, neither is handling a 1200lb animal let alone training it.

IMO only ONE way of training would be a rather narrow minded outlook on things.

[gluey33]

Hi Endo. Trouble is we're all so damned different. We can't even agree on how to sit on a horse let alone break it in

[madvoice]

There are many roads that lead to a destination. Just like horse training, there are many paths (methods) that lead to similar end result. IMO there isn't 'one' method. Some are better than others though.

[rageandglory]

likely because each horse is as individual as each person. what works well for one will destroy another. common sense for one is greek to another. i, for one, am greatful that i have access to many different methods and can pick and choose the method du jour that works for the specific horse i am with.

[dotgotcalm]

Well said, Rage!

Does it matter how long it takes? Not if I'm on my own time but paying customers seem to take a dim view of that attitude. Everyone wants a 30 day wonder. After training for a while and being sick of customers who complained about having to pay another months fee I started charging a flat fee to get each horse to an agreed upon level instead; regardless of the time involved. I thought that would make people happy and take the time pressure off of me. I liked the deal but some customers still complained about time. Sigh. Can't please everyone and it's against the law to shoot them.

[rageandglory]

also, i think most of us are wholly aware that when 6 people are questioned on one horse/issue, 12 answers, and ALL of them right of course, will evolve : )



thank you, DGC : )

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Endorphins4u2

When starting horses, as long as you can earn the horse's trust and respect, does it matter how you get the job done or how long it takes you ?

Going on what the various forums says, everyone's technique is wrong or has some flaw.

Is that possible ? 1000's of years living and working with horses and no one has come up with "THE" method everyone approves of ?

The distinction needs to be made between the techniques that one uses to get X results, and what results you are after. The techniques aren't so much the issue as what results are being produced. IMHO, you're right, as long as the horse is relaxed and trusting you and respects you, the technique doesn't matter.

But one can have the most relaxed, trusting, respectful horse in the world, and if the rider/trainer causes or allows the horse to do his work in an inverted manner (the results), then yes, that IS wrong and lots of folks do, or should, have a problem with that.

There will be no THE method, because humans and horses are different - humans have preferred methods of teaching (though the GOOD trainers have a huge variety of techniques to deal with the variety of horses), and horses have preferred methods of learning. The best outcome is the trainer who can adapt his methods of teaching to the horse's method of learning, and that goes for any situation, whether it's a horse trainer and his horse, dog trainer and dog, or classroom professor and his "special" student.

However, for the most part, there CAN be "THE" progression", because that is based on the nature of learning in general, not the specifics. In other words, you can't teach a horse to canter if he's not relaxed. You can't teach flying changes if he's not good with the canter. You can't even really ride the horse if he's tense and stiff.

[doublebarr]

My way IS the one right way. And, sometimes, if I take part of your way then it too becomes the right way because it is now MY way. Otherwise, you're just IN the way.

[magicsdoublepla]

XD hahahaha, doublebarr nice. ahaha