From page 29
Once you are catching the
quickly out of that space,
horse, it should understand
which is fine. Psychologically,
that it is working and so
you are partly claiming that
should begin to behave
space for yourself, as a more
accordingly. Thus, if he carries
dominant horse might, and
on eating you should do
partly just piquing his
something to convey to him
curiosity.
that it is no longer acceptable,
You are absolutely not chasing
eg make a noise (clap, stamp)
him around, though if he
or movement to get his
didn't move as you
attention back to you. If the
approached you might make
process goes on for some
yourself a little bigger, or
time, turn yoru back on the
swing your rope, effectively
horse and walk away, in effect
saying 'You're in my space,
saying 'take a break', in which
you might want to move
case eating is okay.
now'. Do this a few times,
Your first step, then, is simply
until the horse starts paying
to get his attention. Once
more attention and wonder-
you can reliably get that, start
ing what is going to happen
to ask for more. Now just an
next.
ear flicking your way isn't
enough; now he needs to
look or turn your way. You
might need to move to one
side to draw his attention and
feet, or to draw his attention
away from where he'd rather
focus it. If you can keep his
head pointing towards you
his feet will ultimately follow.
HORSEMANSHIP
break by taking the pressure
Often, moving towards the
hindquarters (making yourself
bigger or noisier if necessary)
will move them away from
you; backing away from the
front end, especially at an
angle, will draw it towards
you.
Only ask for or expect a step
or two to start with.
Each time he makes a big
effort, or gives you what you
asked for a few times in a
row, reward him by turning
away, effectively giving him a
31
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off and letting him relax and
think about what is going on.
So far you've been doing all
this at a distance, with your
horse dictating what that
distance is; usually no closer
than about five to ten metres
but further if necessary.
If your horse repeatedly runs
away from you, back off a
little and do all the same
things but at a little more
distance. The point that you
Continued on page 33