"Actually, I am not training horses to do anything. They already know how to do most anything I would ask. What I am doing is developing enough trust that the animal will try to do what I ask because it WANTS to. This means I have earned its trust and respect through my leadership and not any training. I know this would be a radical change of mind for most 'trainers' out there." ~ F. Levinson
So here's a conversation starter for you. Some of you know my Waler mare, Darrah (aka Darrah dark one) - my equine BFF, partially blind in one eye due to a simple scratch combined with an immunological problem from (accidentally) consuming grain laced with grasshopper bait many years ago before she came to us...but there's another blog about that.
Now...horses are intelligent, but Darrah is very bright. Darrah shows an observational and calculating intelligence/acumen/insight that we don't see in any other member of the herd here, not even Carranya. Or at least we didn't, until Joanna (also wild born and rescued and our new lead mare), arrived some months ago.
Now...every morning we feed a couple of horses, usually the older ones who need their Willowbark for pain relief from arthritis and joint problems. Sometimes we also feed Weary to put weight on him, and sometimes we feed Twiggy or Yeera for the same reasons. We rarely feed Darrah. But often, when we call, the entire herd come in regardless, because I regularly also give out a few sweet potatoes if we have them. Or slices of orange, or sometimes carrots, etc. Partly to reward their behaviour and partly to 'check in' and check daily on individuals.
After feeding everyone wanders off. So does Darrah. But later on during the day - on some days - she wanders back into the dam paddock. Darrah watches the house, and me, from a distance. She makes sure she separates herself from the herd. If she sees me about, she slowly wanders around the dam and comes and waits by the tape gate. It's never at the same time or even on the same days. But she watches. She knows. Sometimes it's a while before I realise she's even out there...but invariably I look, and there she is.
I'd love to say she's waiting to see me - and she is, in a way - but she's also waiting for another snack. She knows that if she's on her own I'll often go out and say hi and take her another bit of sweet potato. I don't do it if the whole herd comes around.
Yes it's learned behaviour, but it's interesting that none of the other horses have ever 'learned' it.
However...over the past few weeks, Joanna has been watching Darrah. She's been particularly interested when Darrah comes into the dam paddock and then casually walks around to see me.
Joanna has stood and watched me feed Darrah a number of times, sometimes from two paddocks away.
End result? For the past week now, whenever Darrah comes around, Joanna breaks away from the herd and follows her. At a distance. Needless to say, Darrah is not impressed. None of the other horses have ever worked this out before...or at least, they've never indicated that they have done so.
Because we are slowly training Joanna to work with humans in different ways, I have started to make a specific noise and give my 'come here' body language when she approaches, to teach her the signals. I am rewarding her arrival with sweet potato, which she politely accepts and contentedly munches up.
Darrah still gets her snacks but she's not happy about the company. She and Joanna have never quite seen eye to eye. Joanna makes decisions for Darrah now which Darrah is sometimes not happy with. (Although she moves when she's told. Most of the time.)
Darrah's acknowledged annoyance aside, it's when horses exhibit 'wanted' behaviours that we should instantly and consistently reward in some way, especially if it's their own idea to begin with. Think quick, develop a signal, and make it your idea too. Because it's also accepting their CHOICE of behaviour. You've just said you like their ideas as much as yours, and you want to go with that. Consensual decision-making 101. Win-win, and all that.
Darrah is still my BFF, but she's just been promoted to Assistant Trainer as well.
And Joanna's intelligence has been noted.
❤️❤️
(photos show Darrah, at left, and Joanna, at right)
