Training Time Perspective

We are currently in a time where things such as “30 day” training programs for horses are becoming increasingly prevalent. Along with certain aspects of the natural horsemanship revolution, I believe at times that this is creating unrealistic or unfair expectations of our horses.

I couldn't begin to tell you how often I get asked if I can take a young horse and have it started walk, trot, canter and over fences plus trail experience within 30 days. My answer – probably not, ask your horse. I realize it sounds like a smart aleck type answer but while I can give estimates what it comes down to is your particular horse, and I am not in the business of rushing horses to meet “deadlines”. Horses don't understand deadlines. And chances are the more you push a horse to meet a deadline, the farther behind you will fall. You learn to go at your horse's pace, whatever that may be.

When you think about it, the typical 30 day or one month program consists of 5 rides or sessions per week. In one month that equals 20 sessions (give or take). For a young horse, or even a remedial horse, chances are those sessions are not all going to be one full hour, especially in the beginning. This is due to a number of factors – physical condition/maturity, emotional state, attention span and so on. But for the sake of simplicity, we will stick with the rule of 20 sessions = 20 hours.

Now let's put that into human terms. The learning portion of our typical school day lasts 6 hours. Less for kindergarten, more for university, but you get the general picture.

So we are expecting our horses to go from kindergarten to highschool or university in what would equal three of our own school days.

What is wrong with this equation? Yes, our horses are obviously incredibly smart and quick learners. But perhaps we are, at times, pushing them too hard and too fast.

Could you, when you started school, learn what it takes to be a fully functioning professional of your chosen career in 3 days? Or 6? How about 12 even? I didn't think so.

So why the incredibly high expectations of our horses? I can only speculate that it has a lot to do with the increase in these types of 30 day programs, one hour roundpen breaking sessions, breaking competitions/challenges and the general impatience of the human. We are in an age where we are all about getting things right now – we want everything faster, are constantly looking for ways to save time, cut corners. Instant gratification. Too bad our horses don't understand the concept of time the way that we do.

I know there are folks out there that are great at what they do, and if they can turn out a fully functioning and sane horse within 30 days, kudos to them. But in so many other cases I feel as though some of the bare basics are being missed, and it is coming back to haunt the owners and horses later on.

Another thing that needs to be considered is : every horse is different. I mean this in terms of psychological/emotional maturity and learning ability. Some horses are fast learners, others can be terribly slow to pick up on things and may have what one could equate to a “learning disability”. Some “crack” if pushed too quickly, others need to be pushed constantly. Again, it is the same thing with humans. However with humans we seem to be much more tolerant of this and quicker to recognize it. What takes one week with one horse may take a month with another, and owners should not be so quick to worry that just because Bob's horse is already cantering under saddle it means that yours should be too.

Accept that each horse is different. Slow down. Take your time. Don't worry or feel pressured. Because you only get a few chances to do it right.