An essential tool for anyone engaged in coaching horses is a round yard of 22 feet.
Horses are prey animals. Their eyes are set in the sides of the head and this enables them to see on the side and the rear. Obviously, each eye gets a very different lateral picture. Horses are also more likely to resort to flight when they feel threatened, and they are provided well for very fast getaways. Their flight instincts have been sharpened over centuries and millennia of evolution. When there's nowhere to run, horses switch over to the other part of their instinctive reactions to perceived threats: they fight. A fighting pony is one great inspiring sight!
Horses are also herd animals and tend to stick close to one another. The herd generally has sentries posted to provide early warnings of threats.
Homo sapiens on the other hand are probably the largest and most wasteful predators in the animal kingdom; we have eyes in front, but don't let that stop us.
Like autistic youngsters and cattle, horses have a natural tendency to move in circles, not in straight lines. This pattern of movement is comforting to them, and it is something we are able to use to advantage when coaching horses. We can make effective use of the fact horses can take themselves from zones of discomfort to zones of comfort at a walk, a trot and a canter. When we work with horses in round yards, we are enabled to work from both right and left of the pony, we are also enabled to work them clockwise as well as counter clockwise. This way, they get to sight objects with both right and left eyes. It is routinely prudent to switch sides regularly when leading, mounting and dismounting, so your horses becomes used to your presence on either side. I know this is in contrast to the commonly quoted exhortation to 'always do everything from the left' the mounting from the left is a totally unnecessary carry over from the times when army troops were lined up on one side of the pony for symmetry and coordination of mounting, and that side happened to be left. It could just as well have been right!
You are helped by a round yard in getting your horse to move around in circles while you are afoot, then getting him to come in to you, stop and do nothing. There's little a horse likes better than to do nothing. The horse whispered Monty Roberts shows John UP in a video that will help you learn and understand all about it.
Make sure the round yard's surface is totally bereft of anything that would cause discomfort or discomfort to your pony. Practice as much as you can. Don't forget to practice the following at walks, canters and trots:
- Riding on a saddle;
- Riding bareback;
- Riding on the halter;
- Riding on the bridle and on rein end (the buckle).
Be sure to do everything counter clockwise that you do clockwise, and vice versa.
The round yard is a small easily controlled area where you can practice with little distractions. You can truly build up your confidence and comfort zones. Don't forget to practise center turns and stops. Sometimes, when you're out of your comfort zone, you want your horse to be in his, and it works the other way round too. Some tutor once asserted, "Be as steady as a fence post for your horse", and keep him in his comfort zones always. It isn't just your horse that's getting trained in the round yard, you are , as well. There's no end of matter to learn about horses, But you need to get cracking right away.
Horses are prey animals. Their eyes are set in the sides of the head and this enables them to see on the side and the rear. Obviously, each eye gets a very different lateral picture. Horses are also more likely to resort to flight when they feel threatened, and they are provided well for very fast getaways. Their flight instincts have been sharpened over centuries and millennia of evolution. When there's nowhere to run, horses switch over to the other part of their instinctive reactions to perceived threats: they fight. A fighting pony is one great inspiring sight!
Horses are also herd animals and tend to stick close to one another. The herd generally has sentries posted to provide early warnings of threats.
Homo sapiens on the other hand are probably the largest and most wasteful predators in the animal kingdom; we have eyes in front, but don't let that stop us.
Like autistic youngsters and cattle, horses have a natural tendency to move in circles, not in straight lines. This pattern of movement is comforting to them, and it is something we are able to use to advantage when coaching horses. We can make effective use of the fact horses can take themselves from zones of discomfort to zones of comfort at a walk, a trot and a canter. When we work with horses in round yards, we are enabled to work from both right and left of the pony, we are also enabled to work them clockwise as well as counter clockwise. This way, they get to sight objects with both right and left eyes. It is routinely prudent to switch sides regularly when leading, mounting and dismounting, so your horses becomes used to your presence on either side. I know this is in contrast to the commonly quoted exhortation to 'always do everything from the left' the mounting from the left is a totally unnecessary carry over from the times when army troops were lined up on one side of the pony for symmetry and coordination of mounting, and that side happened to be left. It could just as well have been right!
You are helped by a round yard in getting your horse to move around in circles while you are afoot, then getting him to come in to you, stop and do nothing. There's little a horse likes better than to do nothing. The horse whispered Monty Roberts shows John UP in a video that will help you learn and understand all about it.
Make sure the round yard's surface is totally bereft of anything that would cause discomfort or discomfort to your pony. Practice as much as you can. Don't forget to practice the following at walks, canters and trots:
- Riding on a saddle;
- Riding bareback;
- Riding on the halter;
- Riding on the bridle and on rein end (the buckle).
Be sure to do everything counter clockwise that you do clockwise, and vice versa.
The round yard is a small easily controlled area where you can practice with little distractions. You can truly build up your confidence and comfort zones. Don't forget to practise center turns and stops. Sometimes, when you're out of your comfort zone, you want your horse to be in his, and it works the other way round too. Some tutor once asserted, "Be as steady as a fence post for your horse", and keep him in his comfort zones always. It isn't just your horse that's getting trained in the round yard, you are , as well. There's no end of matter to learn about horses, But you need to get cracking right away.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
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