Time and observation - two important clicker training tools

April 8, 7:18 PMClicker Training ExaminerEve Alexander

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GaWaNi Pony Boy is a best-selling author.

There is no doubt that Native Americans were the original natural horsemen. Native American people appreciated the importance of observation. They took time to study the behavior of the animals and nature around them. When it came to horses, they used their power of observation to develop training techniques in a language (physical and focal rather than verbal) that horses understood easily.

GaWaNi Pony Boy is a natural horsemanship trainer who incorporates traditional Native American training methods in his Relationship Training program. One of the most important messages of his philosophy is that you must spend time with your horse in order to create a true bond and relationship. In fact, Exercise One is Spend a Day with Your Horse.

He says, “Time well spent with your horse means much more than performing daily tasks in his presence. It means unencumbered time spent living near him, for there are many things about your horse that you don’t and can’t know unless you spend time together.”

Pony Boy tells the story of the time he was experiencing problems with a particular horse. He consulted an old Native American gentleman. As Pony Boy relates, “Understand that Native American elders frequently answer a question with a question, hoping that you will find your answer. He asked me, ‘Which grass in the pasture is your horse’s favorite? Which foot does he lead with when traveling downhill? How many times a day does he nap?’” Pony Boy spent time observing his horse in order to answer the elder’s question and additionally found the answer to his original question.

Now that spring is around the corner, take some time to just hang out and observe your horse. Watch her interact with other horses. Does she play, does she dominate or is she submissive? Do other horses make her move or does she move them? How do they do it – ears back, evil eye, threaten to kick …? What is her day like? When she rolls, which side does she go down on first? Can she roll all the way over or only half way? Does she have a best friend? Are there certain parts of the pasture she prefers? Why?

As GaWaNi Pony Boy wisely advises, “When developing a relationship with your horse, there is no substitute for spending time together.”

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