by L Hurley

Created on: November 23, 2010

There are many different training systems for horses. From classical dressage with its origins in Europe, through hunters in England, western training in the USA and the many variations of natural horsemanship that have been heavily marketed in the last few years, each has its proponents and detractors.

These widely recognized training systems are not however the only systems. Around the world horses are trained according to local custom and wisdom. The Cossacks of Eastern Europe and the Mongols on the Asian continent were renowned for their horsemanship and today these traditions are followed by their descendants.

All training systems have one thing in common; they are based on knowledge and understanding of the horse’s physical and mental characteristics and capabilities. Without this base a training system will not work.

If you look closely at the basic training of each system you will find many more similarities than differences. For example, all systems use the application of pressure to get the horse to pay attention and think and the release of pressure as a reward when the required response is achieved. While the pressure may be applied in different ways the training principle is the same.

When correctly applied none of the training systems ask a horse to do anything that is unnatural. To do so would be to guarantee a break down and early end to a horse’s career and lead ultimately to the failure of the training system.

Likewise none of the systems have cruelty or force as an inherent principle. Cruelty occurs because people attempt to apply techniques and training aids they do not understand and it happens in all systems.

Training a horse does not teach it to do anything. The horse already knows how to do everything we want it to do. It knows how to walk, trot, canter, piaffe, pirouette, spin, slide and jump. How well it does these will depend on its conformation but it can do them. Every horse is capable of walking on to a trailer, crossing a stream and ignoring plastic flapping in the wind.

A handler must learn how to get the horse to be willing to do these things when they are asked to do them. A training system is a way to achieve this. So how do you decide which system of training is best for you and your horse?

A good place to start is to look at all the systems, watch the practitioners and select the one that you feel suits you best. You will have more success using a system that feels comfortable to you than trying to use techniques that you’re uncomfortable with.

No single system of training can be said to be universally better than another for every purpose and circumstance. Any system is only as good as the person using it, and none of the systems give a step by step answer to every situation you will encounter. There is no such thing as one size fits all in training horses. Horses are individuals and what works well with one will not necessarily work with another.

Once you have chosen a system don’t close your mind off to others. When something is not working it is always useful to have alternative paths to understanding to offer the horse. Over time you will develop your own system. It may be based on one of the main systems but it will be enhanced by bits and pieces of others, by your own experiences and by the things that the horses in your life have taught you.

Training systems are valuable as they provide principles and guidelines to assist you when starting out in training. They do not remove the responsibility for you to think for yourself, get to know and understand the horse you are dealing with and adjust your techniques when necessary.

Learn more about this author, L Hurley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.