What Motivates a Horse to Go?

What Motivates a Horse to Go?

Getting a horse to move forward has always been the most important issue with regard to training. If the horse won’t move forward, then we can’t effectively train him. Feet that are stuck don’t make for a fun ride either in the arena or out on the trail.

The question has always been, “What’s the best way?” And “what should we use?” There are all sorts of devices to utilize in making an impression on the horse to move forward. What amazes me is that there seems to be some issue between disciplines as to what’s correct, safe, or fair. On more than one occasion, I’ve heard a trainer or clinician make fun of other riding styles and their choice of “motivational” devices.

I’ve heard people say, “Sticks are for kids.” And I’ve heard, “I would never hit my horse with a whip.” And of course someone will always ask, “Why do they slap them with their mecate?”

Since all of these tools and many more are designed in some way to make the horse move forward, and because at one time or another I’ve used various methods while riding different disciplines, I have a good understanding of most of these methods.

Whether you use a crop, bat, whip, rein, switch, stick, mecate rein, rope, spur, lariat, flag, or a simple “giddy-up”, click, cluck, or kiss – you’re correct.

Quite honestly your horse isn’t concerned with what tool you choose to motivate him. All of these tools tap, bump, push, slap, or in some way encourage the horse to move forward. It’s just that the “giddy-up, click , kiss, or cluck” don’t make physical contact.

But I can assure you that, before the horse learned to respond to those sounds, some type of contact or threat of contact was made with a piece of equipment. I don’t know of any horse that learned to move into the trot by someone standing twenty feet away making kissing sounds and doing nothing else. Try it. Walk into a pasture of untrained horses, get within about 20 feet, make a kissing sound and see how many pick up a trot. If they do, it’s more likely they simply didn’t want you any closer than twenty feet.

So what’s my point? Simply this…it isn’t the means with which we motivate the horse. Rather it’s how we use the means that makes the difference.

How many of you have heard of or know of a horse that’s afraid of the sound of a whip slicing through the air? Chances are that this response has developed because someone was a little too aggressive with the whip and failed to let the horse understand that it doesn’t always mean danger or pain.

Improper use of any of the tools discussed here will make the horse extremely agitated, and probably ready to move out rapidly. But they can also be used to such an extent that the horse becomes dull to them. I know of horses that have been hit so many times with a whip/stick that they just quit moving away from it. Those horses are often proclaimed as dull. I have seen the same result with spurs. What a shame.

Regardless of what you choose, remember to use it cautiously, infrequently, and judiciously. How would you like to have your boss stand over you with an object and threaten you with it every time you slowed down your production?

The proper way to use any of them is with the slightest touch at first and then waiting to see what reaction you get. If more is needed, then a little harder touch is in order. You may have to be quite determined with some horses, especially if they’re trying their best to go over or through you. Regardless, always start with a very soft touch or gesture, and increase it slowly until you get the results you’re looking for.

Too often we remember that it took a certain amount of “whack” to get the horse going and then we instantly resort to that same level of “whack” every time. Always try with the lightest effort first and then increase only as needed. Ideally your body position should do most of the work along with a slight brush with your legs (notice I didn’t say kick).

Rather than be concerned about the tool used, I think we should all pay more attention to HOW it’s used. Equipment is just that, equipment. There isn’t anything perfect or magical about a cowboy’s mecate or a dressage rider’s whip. They’re both often used as motivational tools. And neither one deserves scorn or praise more than the other one. Think about results, not equipment.