Horse Behavior Specialist
Licensed 2 Star Parelli Professional
www.nancyslater.com
Left Brain Introvert
The Left Brain Introvert (LBI) is often called lazy and stubborn by people who experience the negative side of their behavior. Frustrating to get moving, on the ground and in the saddle, they can get an annoyed, resentful attitude when they see no point in doing a task that has no meaning to them. They'll work hard at not complying, acting like they feel nothing.
They’ll pull and push on the lead rope and reins, most of the time they act as if you're not there and ignore you. They constantly invade your personal space. They absolutely will not canter a circle! Speed is unheard of, unless they get the idea to run a short sprint for the barn to get you to stop bossing them around!
Largely labeled as a kid’s horse, they're usually unexcitable. They are calm and gentle enough to ride slowly around on, but shut down quickly if forced to work. They are the buckers and balkers. ‘No!’ is their typical answer!
*What would you say to someone who is wondering if their horse showing displaced behavior is normal?
“So many horses have displaced behaviors it has become normal! For example, horses needing nosebands to stop their tongue coming out or mouth opening… frothing and foaming at the bit… swishing tails with the use of spurs… tie downs and martingales to stop the horse throwing and tossing its head. Many people see these as quite normal and expected behavior because it is so common. These are not the signs of a happy, relaxed horse in harmony with its rider or environment. We have to look at things from the horse’s point of view and know that we can TEACH them to do things rather than FORCE them.”
How horses live and cope with natural stressors in the wild is interesting to me. They graze most of the day, sleep a little, procreate- and feed predators! They are designed by nature to live in the moment, because any moment might be their last. They are meat on feet. Yet, living wild doesn't cause displaced behavior. A domestic life does!
As caring horse owners, we give our domestic horse everything we THINK he needs: A clean stall, a new slant load trailer, and 2 square meals a day... We train our horse ourselves, as best we can, or send him to a local trainer for 30 days, as finances allow. Since everything in our life is hurried, we hurry the horse. We put him in cross ties because he won't stand still for fly spray, saddling and baths. We micromanage the reins because he's not listening to us. He's arguing about leaving the barn and the other horses, so we get after him. We don't have time for nonsense, so he is forced. He gets angry, frightened, stressed. When a horse becomes stressed for long periods of time, displacement behavior is born.
Living in our fast paced world is stressful for both horses and humans. Day after day, we feel pressured by time, restricted by movement, and frustrated with our situation at work. Horses are stress relievers for us. We think we owe it to them to return the favor!
When we see a horse acting strangely, ask yourself what is bothering your horse. To extinguish the behavior, (or prevent it in the first place), we can work to make our horse feel successful, reward all good behavior, give him something fun and interesting to do. We can provide a more natural living environment, room for playful movement, free choice hay or grass, and social interaction. Horses need to live like horses as naturally as possible. Spending undemanding time with your horse will help sooth his nerves. Hand grazing, belly scratches, and hanging out quietly together under a big shade tree works wonders for calming nerves in both the horse and you!
Your awareness always comes first before your application. Listen to your horse when he is not lowering his head, licking and chewing, blowing out, or yawning in your presence. You will know when he is happy because he will be reaching out to you, looking you in the eye, and showing you his playful personality; interacting with you in a friendly way. Train your eye to recognize the difference between happy and stressed. Think how you might help your horse live a more happy, stress free life by educating yourself about their true needs. Your horse will be grateful!
oss between two individuals, and get a job done, whether you are a horse or a person! Horses and people who get confused can walk off thinking, “Don't know what the heck that fella was talking about, but I'm outta here!”
44 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Part 2 of 4
Yet, if we use Horse Behavior and Psychology, they can become our amazing partners. The secret is to motivate them. But how? And is it possible to get them to do a job that requires speed? It is essential with the LBI that they understand THE GOAL.
I bought a LBI and planned to do some competition with her. She was an untouched 2 year old. I named her Shaman, which means spiritual healer. I motivated her daily with things she liked: to feel smart, get comfort, rest, scratches, and food.
You get more flies with honey, but let's take a moment to talk about the difference between Bribes and Rewards. You will create a monster if you bribe an LBI with food. They will frisk
you no end, demanding you to
give a treat and still not do
anything for you!
On the other hand, a Reward comes as a surprise to the horse for a job well done. If a horse really tries hard to do something that you ask and you're impressed, a treat can be given. If you wait for about 30 seconds before giving the treat, you'll know they are
connecting with you and not the food. Hand grazing is a fine alternative to hand fed cookie treats.
Left Brain Introverts are thinkers. They ask, ”Why
should I break a sweat?” LBIs need to move their brain, so setting up puzzles is
interesting to them, and will help them engage with you. Once they solve a puzzle, you provide something they value as their reward. Shaman loves
to feel smart, get rest and belly scratches, almost as much as a treat!
Shaman enjoyed her training sessions, eager to see what puzzle I had in store. But her energy would last just so long, a burst of ‘look what I can do!’, and then gone. I rewarded the slightest try, always progressing the task by challenging her mind. I kept my focus on the process, not the product. I worked hard on myself to not get greedy when things went well. Nothing will shut a LBI down faster than, “Let's do it again -and again.” They will lose their ‘want to’ real fast!
Instead, pick a task, like sideways over a log, get a step