We all want our horse to acknowledge our presence and come up to us. So bring your horse to your “classroom”. This can be any enclosed area where your horse can be at liberty. Allow him a few minutes to walk around, roll and check things out. Go find something to do outside of the area. After a few minutes, enter the teaching area. If your horse immediately comes up to you, that’s great! Be sure to praise him. If he’s just hanging out, not really paying any attention to you, go stand in the center of the area’ Square your shoulders to the side of your horse and give a short “kiss” sound. As soon as your horse looks at you, praise him. If he moves off, (the “kiss” cue is also the move your feet cue), turn away. Take all the pressure off your horse until he stops. When he stops and looks at you, praise him. If he just ignores you, make him move. Then try again. Give the kiss cue. Praise him every time looks at you. It might take several tries as he might still want to move off. Just practice the timing of the praise as soon as he looks at you.
Practice and Praise
After several successful looks, position yourself a little closer. Stand more towards his hind end so he really has to turn his head to look at you. Give the kiss cue, praise him and turn in toward the center of the area as soon as he looks at you. You are praising him for looking at you. You are also inviting him to join you. Wait for him to take a step toward you, praising him as soon as he does so. Keep working with this until your horse understands that you kiss to him to get his attention and that it is good to be in your presence.
Lower the Head
A relaxed horse stands with his head at or below his withers. This cue is great for helping take the anxiety out of any horse. It’s also great for making haltering and bridling easier. You can practice this anywhere. Begin with your horse standing quietly, you stand at his head. Gently but firmly apply pressure at his poll (top of his head between the ears) and at same time, apply light downward pressure on halter. A soon as he makes the slightest downward movement with his head, release the pressure. Practice this until you can use the lightest possible pressure. Also switch around, using your hand on his poll or just the halter pressure. This cue helps teach the horse to relax. It can also be done from the saddle by leaning forward, reaching behind the ears and applying light pressure. Release the pressure as soon as he gives to it. Again, when the horse’s head is low, chances are he’s relaxed.
Using these exercises will help to strengthen the bond between you and your horse. Your horse will learn that it is good to be in your company. He will also learn to relax on cue from you.
