Difference between revisions of "Join Up With a Horse"
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| − | A 'join up' is a trust activity developed by avid horseman Monty Roberts.<ref>http://www.horsespirit5.com/join-up.html</ref> Joining up involves using a loose schooling activity and developing awareness of a horse's body language cues. The technique aims to give the horse a choice between accepting the trainer as a herd leader or not. The principle involved is similar to a mare teaching her foal, where the foal accepts the mother's gentle authority. If you're interested in developing a stronger trust bond with your horse via completely non-violent training, the join-up method might be what you’re looking for. | + | A 'join up' is a trust activity developed by avid horseman Monty Roberts.<ref name="rf1">http://www.horsespirit5.com/join-up.html</ref> Joining up involves using a loose schooling activity and developing awareness of a horse's body language cues. The technique aims to give the horse a choice between accepting the trainer as a herd leader or not. The principle involved is similar to a mare teaching her foal, where the foal accepts the mother's gentle authority. If you're interested in developing a stronger trust bond with your horse via completely non-violent training, the join-up method might be what you’re looking for. |
[[Category:Communicating With Your Horse]] | [[Category:Communicating With Your Horse]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#Move toward the center of the pen while encouraging the horse to move away. You want to encourage the horse to move toward the perimeter. To do this, you may need to firmly "shoo" the horse away. You do not want to frighten the animal, but merely point out that it needs to be somewhere else, in the same way a mother may send her foal away. | #Move toward the center of the pen while encouraging the horse to move away. You want to encourage the horse to move toward the perimeter. To do this, you may need to firmly "shoo" the horse away. You do not want to frighten the animal, but merely point out that it needs to be somewhere else, in the same way a mother may send her foal away. | ||
#* The process of moving the horse away presents you as [[Train a Horse to Lead|lead mare]]. | #* The process of moving the horse away presents you as [[Train a Horse to Lead|lead mare]]. | ||
| − | #Position the line. You will still have the longline attached to the horse’s halter. As the horse moves away from you, throw the line out behind the animal while keeping hold of the clip. Position the line to the far side of the horse. This will cause the line to trail alongside the animal’s body, behind the tail, and across the hind quarters.<ref | + | #Position the line. You will still have the longline attached to the horse’s halter. As the horse moves away from you, throw the line out behind the animal while keeping hold of the clip. Position the line to the far side of the horse. This will cause the line to trail alongside the animal’s body, behind the tail, and across the hind quarters.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #* Flicking on the long line now has the effect of geeing the horse forward. Encourage the horse to move in a circle around you.<ref | + | #* Flicking on the long line now has the effect of geeing the horse forward. Encourage the horse to move in a circle around you.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Work the horse in circles around you. Continue to push the horse on gently, working in circles around you. As the horse becomes familiar with what's expected, you will see its body language start to change. The horse may angle its head toward you and twitch the inside ear (the one closest to you) toward you as if awaiting instructions. This is a sign that the horse is ready to negotiate his position and do what you want.<ref | + | #Work the horse in circles around you. Continue to push the horse on gently, working in circles around you. As the horse becomes familiar with what's expected, you will see its body language start to change. The horse may angle its head toward you and twitch the inside ear (the one closest to you) toward you as if awaiting instructions. This is a sign that the horse is ready to negotiate his position and do what you want.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Continue to push the horse on gently. You will see the horse angle his head to you, which is a sign he is ready to negotiate his position according to what you want. | #Continue to push the horse on gently. You will see the horse angle his head to you, which is a sign he is ready to negotiate his position according to what you want. | ||
#* After 5 or 6 circuits (if using a 50-foot diameter pen), change direction by blocking the horse using [[Read Body Language|body language]], but not actually getting in the way. After another 5 or 6 circuits change direction again, and start to coil the line and maybe drop eye contact down to the neck/shoulder. | #* After 5 or 6 circuits (if using a 50-foot diameter pen), change direction by blocking the horse using [[Read Body Language|body language]], but not actually getting in the way. After another 5 or 6 circuits change direction again, and start to coil the line and maybe drop eye contact down to the neck/shoulder. | ||
| − | #Look for other signs from the horse. Other signs the horse is paying attention and looking for your guidance include making the circle smaller, turning the inside ear toward you, licking or chewing at the air, and lowering the head perhaps even touching the nose to the ground as if looking for somewhere to graze.<ref>http://www.montyrobertsuniversity.com/q_and_a</ref> | + | #Look for other signs from the horse. Other signs the horse is paying attention and looking for your guidance include making the circle smaller, turning the inside ear toward you, licking or chewing at the air, and lowering the head perhaps even touching the nose to the ground as if looking for somewhere to graze.<ref name="rf2">http://www.montyrobertsuniversity.com/q_and_a</ref> |
#* The fact that the horse is relaxed but looking to you for instruction means the horse has started to trust you. Now you are both ready to move onto the next phase and test that trust. | #* The fact that the horse is relaxed but looking to you for instruction means the horse has started to trust you. Now you are both ready to move onto the next phase and test that trust. | ||
#Change your body language. When you see these signs, drop eye contact completely and soften your body language. Try bringing the hand nearest the horse across your stomach with fingers closed. Turn your back and take a few steps away from the horse while remaining alert (watch out he/she may lose attention on you while you are not looking). This will cause the horse to come toward you slowly and 'join up'. | #Change your body language. When you see these signs, drop eye contact completely and soften your body language. Try bringing the hand nearest the horse across your stomach with fingers closed. Turn your back and take a few steps away from the horse while remaining alert (watch out he/she may lose attention on you while you are not looking). This will cause the horse to come toward you slowly and 'join up'. | ||
| − | #* If everything goes according to plan, when you turn your back and walk away, the horse will step toward you and follow. This is the same way a foal follows the mother when she moves off. You want to reward this behavior so that the horse is more likely to repeat it in future.<ref | + | #* If everything goes according to plan, when you turn your back and walk away, the horse will step toward you and follow. This is the same way a foal follows the mother when she moves off. You want to reward this behavior so that the horse is more likely to repeat it in future.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#* If things don't go to plan and the horse ignores you, start working the animal in a circle again and go back to the beginning. However, if the horse is starting to tire, stop and try again another day. | #* If things don't go to plan and the horse ignores you, start working the animal in a circle again and go back to the beginning. However, if the horse is starting to tire, stop and try again another day. | ||
#Reward the horse. You can rub between the eyes or offer a nice stroke on the neck. This is how horses naturally groom each other or assure a lower status horse. They do not approach the lead mare unless she is very relaxed and not exerting her authority. | #Reward the horse. You can rub between the eyes or offer a nice stroke on the neck. This is how horses naturally groom each other or assure a lower status horse. They do not approach the lead mare unless she is very relaxed and not exerting her authority. | ||
