Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Talking to my horse

From: Sandra

Dear Jessica. At one of your clinics you said we should talk to our horses, and I'm trying to do that more, because I realize that I don't really talk to my horse at all. But all I can think of to say is stuff like "good boy" and "whoa" and "get up". When you rode my instructor's horse you talked to him all the way around the ring and he really calmed down, so what I want to know is what you were saying to him and will it work with my horse? Thanks in advance and thank you for giving us horse-sense, I read it every week!!!!

Sandra and Scout's Honor

Hi Sandra, I do remember that clinic, because I usually don't get on the horses! I always try to teach the riders to communicate with their own horses, but every once in a long while I do need to get on and demonstrate something. Yes, I did talk to that horse all the way around the ring. ;-)

You can say anything you want, of course -- recite your favourite poetry, list all the people you know who have birthdays in April, or talk about your plans for painting the house. Talking about ANYTHING is good, because it keeps you breathing and keeps your horse calm as long as your voice is calm.

I find that what works best, though, is to talk to the horse about what you are doing -- what you want HIM to do, and what YOU are going to do. If you're going around the ring, you can keep up a steady stream of conversation, telling your horse "Steady the trot, there's the boy, move a little to the outside, that's it, bring your nose a little more to the inside, yes, that's right, now push on a little up the rail", etc., etc. The nice thing about doing it this way is that it makes YOU think ahead to where you are going next, and it lets you remind yourself, right along with your horse, of what exactly you would like him to do at any given moment.

You can also talk to yourself -- this is really helpful if you're working on your position or your aids, because you can remind yourself of what you need to think about! If you're telling yourself "open chest, eyes up" or "relax knees, long legs" or "inside shoulder back on turns" and you say it aloud, it's very effective.

So just keep talking, whatever you're saying, your horse will appreciate it.

Jessica

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