Many of you don’t remember the ’60s, but take it from me, there were a lot of different dances back then.  The “Twist” of the ’50’s carried over to the ’60’s and then you added the “Mashed Potatoes”, “The Stomp”, “The Swim”, “The Monkey”, “The Shimmy”, “The Fly”, “The Bossa Nova”, “The Cool Jerk” and probably others that I am forgetting.  Oh how could I ever forget the “Freddie.”  Thank goodness the ’70’s came and brought “Disco.”  Some of those ’60s dances are probably the reason I am now arthritic and into Chiropractic and Acupuncture.  Doing stupid stuff and getting dumped off horses for the last 50 years have absolutely nothing to do with it.  Having a chute set up with jumps, bareback, no bridle, with a person at one end with a longe whip, and another person at the other end with a broom, sending your horse back and forth over the jumps had positively nothing to do with it, but boy those big jumpin’ horses could do a roll back real good when they saw the broom swinging through the air.

But I’m not here to talk about my insane childhood memories, that I hold so dear, I’m here to talk to you about the “Uncool Jerk'” we do to our horses mouth.

Depending on the bit you use, and if it involves a curb chain,  it puts pressure on different areas.  All bits, except Hackamores, put pressure on the mouth, seated where there are no teeth.  If it’s a snaffle, it has a nut cracker effect on the tongue and the roof of the mouth (you only thought this bit was gentle).  Any bit can be gentle and kind or absolutely cruel, depending on the hands that are using it.  Other pressure points can be on the nose, the poll, and the chin.  Unless you get into gag or elevator bits.

Now this isn’t going to be a conversation about bits and their application, it’s about us and our hands.

Have you ever walked along holding someone’s hand.  Has it been a light loving touch that made you feel loved and secure?  Have you ever walked along holding someone’s hand that was intent on dragging you somewhere?  Which was a more pleasant experience.  You were still being directed, but with a different energy, attitude and kindness.  Think about what you do to your horse.

With my students I will first let them put a clean bit in their mouths.  They usually don’t like the weight of it.  Then I will hand them one end of a rein and I will hold the other. and ask them to make-believe that their hand was the horse’s mouth.  I will first, gently pull their hand and lead them to the left, then the right, and ask them to stop.  I will explain, this is how your horse would like you to communicate with him.  Then I will take the rein and yank it to the left, and then to the right, eventually pulling back hard for a stop.  This is how your horse would not like you to communicate with him.  Now remember, you’re not doing this to his leg you’re doing this to his mouth.  Ouch!

I then have to explain that the light gentle touch is like a whisper (same principle applies to their leg pressure).  Sometimes your horse doesn’t hear the whisper, so you have to use a little more pressure, speaking a little louder.  If he still doesn’t hear you, add a little more until you get the required result.  If a horse is used to a lot of pressure, it’s going to take him a little while to figure out what you are asking, but he will, and he’ll be glad to react.  Adding a voice command gives him a better clue.  I break all my horses to voice commands before I even put a bit in their mouths, or get on their backs.  It makes it so easy on both of us.

Don’t start out yanking and then try to lighten up.  He’ll be waiting for the pain from too much pressure.  He’ll set his jaw and his neck in defense.  If you were waiting to get yanked, wouldn’t you?

Once again start at a walk with the whoa and the stop.  Practice the turns, gently.  Watch your horse soften, transform, and respond.  Don’t forget to use your legs to reinforce you cues when turning.

Let’s look at it this way.  If you’re yelling at a child, he doesn’t listen.  They’ll shut down, and tune you out, or just defy you even more.  But if you tell the child to come here and I’ll whisper a secret to you, they are going to come and listen closely.

• First of all, notice who you are.  Most of the time we aren’t even aware of what we are doing.
• Notice how your horse is responding.
• Now try to lighten up and see how long it takes for your horse to notice.
• Think of your hands as speaking to the horse.  If the horse is not paying attention, speak a little louder until they hear you.
• But always go back and try again in a light touch the next time.

Some days it works better than others, because of different outside stimuli, but work on the communication between you.

Your out to enjoy your ride, your tension and attitude will make a big difference in your communication with your horse.  Check on that too.

Be “Cool” – not a “Jerk.”