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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] HORSE TRAINING

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  • From: <Jorene@CEOates.com>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] HORSE TRAINING
  • Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 20:16:59 -0700

 
A GENERAL QUESTION?
HOW DO FOLKS FEEL ABOUT DESENSITIZATION TRAINING FOR OUR EQUINE PARTNERS?
Mandatory. ;)
I HAVE BEEN TO ONE TRAINING WITH A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUP, THEY BASICALLY USE PAT PARELLI METHODS AND IT WAS A GREAT CONFIDENCE BUILDER FOR ME AND MY MARE.
Any kind of hands-on desensitization training is a confidence builder ... assuming you're successful with your efforts. ;)
 
I did some reading on Parelli methods, got some input from excellent horsemen who have known him for decades, and even sat through about 15 minutes of a demo at a major equine event. I've heard from people I know who have a pretty good handle on good horsemanship who investigated Parelli methods and had fun. Those same people said it wasn't appropriate for the novice because too many things could happen that the novice wouldn't even understand was a step in a wrong direction ... working towards a potentially big problem. I haven't been hands-on with his specific training routine, so I can't comment on that.
 
But I confess it doesn't give me a warm, fuzzy feeling that Parelli's target market is the "I love my horsey" crowd - the reason I couldn't tolerate more than 15 minutes of his demo. I disagreed with too many of his "explanations" regarding herd behavior, etc. Doesn't mean the training methods don't work - if performed by someone with a clue about horses - but the reason Parelli was giving was obviously slanted toward his target market. Way too much anthropomorphism for my taste. A horse is a horse, not a human. Trying to label horse behavior with human thoughts and emotions fails to clearly explain the horse. The successful handler/rider is tuned in to how the HORSE perceives the human's attempts at communication.  
 
But you're pointed in a very good direction! Some options to consider ...
If you have the opportunity to attend a Mark Rashid clinic, or Richard Shrake, I recommend them.
www.markrashid.com  www.richardshrake.com  Also take a look at Richard's latest book, Resistance Free Training. He told me he wished he'd written that one years ago. I agree it is a particularly informative book and well worth the read. Better still, try it hands-on with your own horse. ;)
 
If you have a trainer locally who is very well qualified in Trail (arena competition) that skill is very advantageous in MSAR and I recommend taking lessons. (I have 2 trainers in CA I'd recommend, and they now both live in Central CA.)
 
Desensitization training is the contemporary - and politically correct! - term for sacking out a horse. Not always done correctly, much less thoroughly, but the game plan has been around for many generations of horsemen. Thorough desensitization should be part of every horse's start under saddle ... but far too often, it isn't.
 
If you want to expand your horizons at home, you might find some ideas in some ancient posts I made to rec.equestrian newsgroup. Copies are on my web site because I got tired of re-sending. Easier to send a link. <g>  One post directly addresses sacking out a horse ... the way I learned years ago. Other old posts are related because the better you understand the horse and read the horse in front of you, the better you can develop the necessary 2-way communication ... and the better relationship you have the opportunity to create on the ground and in the saddle.
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Technical Rescue, Cave Rescue,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT Program Coordinator
www.tk-cert.org



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