Consistency is the Key
Written by: Kay Cox-Eveleigh

Therefore, the key to getting better results, is to be sure that you, as the teacher, are very consistent in what you do while working around your horse.

Remember the old schoolrooms that had the map that pulled down over the front of the blackboards Now picture yourself as a student in that classroom and every day your teacher came in and wrote the daily lesson on the blackboard and made sure when your class entered that the map was up and not covering your lesson for the day. When you came in you looked at the blackboard so you could turn to the proper place in your schoolbooks and begin to read and discuss the proper lesson with your teacher. Everything runs smoothly and you are learning each day. Now suppose one day you come to class and the map is down, hiding your lesson plan for the day. Your teacher, who is distracted by another teacher, says to you, as she leaves the room to finish her discussion with the other teacher, "Class please look at the blackboard for your lesson and begin to read." Now, the teacher has asked you to do something that you should have been able to do, but because of the inconsistency of not being able to read the blackboard, you won't be able to respond properly to her request.

This is the same thing with your horse. He may know the routine, but is what you are asking of him being asked in a consistent manner? You have to remember that your horse does not know when he is and when he is not being "trained." By that, for example, I mean that every time you touch the reins and expect him to do something he should. But how many times have you been sitting talking with friends on your horse and maybe fidgeting with the reins, not really expecting your horse to do anything. Now the horse doesn't know the difference between when he is expected to react to the reins and when he is not and he may or may not respond and you let him slide this time because you really don't want him to do anything right now. So the next time you ask and expect a really good response, he may think you're just 'fidgeting' again. If this inconsistency continues, he becomes less and less properly responsive to the reins or becomes insensitive. All this because he doesn't know when it is necessary to respond or when it's OK not to respond, if you don't make a specific request and follow through with that request every time you touch those reins.

Therefore, the key to getting better results, is to be sure that you, as the teacher, are very consistent in what you do while working around your horse. Remember he doesn't know when, or if, it's o.k. to not respond to you. Make sure your requests are always followed through and you will find quicker, more exact, correct, response from your Pal. –Kay Cox-Eveleigh

About the author: Kay Cox-Eveleigh is a John Lyons certified trainer in Ramona, California. To contact Kay email Littlehoofs@aol.com or phone (760) 788-1603.