Leadership is not a rank

Kouldbloed Kim produced this video "Leadership is a choice, not a rank."  In the absence of any explanatory information, I believe this may be a TED talk of human leadership overlaying video of working with horses.  I love the crux of the video--horse can choose to see us as leaders by building a relationship.  Several research studies have shown that rank in a horse herd is a very fluid concept depending on circumstances, which horses are in mini-groupings, whether the mares are present, etc.

Gudmar Petursson Training

You may be familiar with Gudmar Petursson through his appearance on the Rick Lamb TV show, Knights of Iceland high speed riding demonstrations, involvement with Fakasel (think Cavalia) Icelandic Horse Park near Thorlakshofn. Or his competitions rides at national and international levels. Gudmar and his family began importing Icelandic horses to the US in the late 1990s. Gudmar selected Blessi for import 12 years ago (thank you Gudmar).

Gudmar is also well know for his training. For those of you who want to know more about how Gudmar trains to see if you can take advantage of Gudmar's quality elearnings on how to train, here are some links:

Stan Hirson has capture some of Gudmar's lessons and put them up on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a9n8H2SUCE&list=PLu3XNly5-4bWeR4RNXhGKlXUMbu3JOPqP

Gudmar TV:

http://www.gudmar.com/gudmar-tv

Pignon Liberty Training Methods

Here's a very interesting video of Frederic et JF Pignon demonstrating their liberty training methods. 

You can turn on the subtitles by clicking the "Settings" button, which looks like a cog wheel, and selecting English as the subtitle.

Jean-Francois talks about the importance of being the horse's leader and making it move; whereas Frederic discusses the importance of play and physical contact but always returning to a place of calm. It is notso much being dominant but fullfilling all the horse's needs. The basis of work should be pleasure. The challenge is how to create that sense of pleasure without creating a sense of discomfort.

I am picking up so many other good points, in addition to just watching these beautiful creatures dance for joy. Enjoy.

Power of the Sugar Lump

Theodore Roosevelt understood that feeding a well timed treat could help the horse adapt to novel situations. His young horse Renown was extremely frightened of automobiles encountered during rides in Washington DC. On one ride the young horse behaved better than expected upon meeting a large red automobile. “In fact,” as Roosevelt explained, “he behaved so well that I leaned over and gave him a lump of sugar when he had passed the object of terror—the old boy eagerly turning his head around to get it.”

The first 20 seconds of this video shows Theodore Roosevelt riding his thoroughbred Sidar in 1912. When he dismounts, he feeds Sidar a sugar cube, probably for approaching that scary, huge old time film camera.

Training the Horses for the Ben Hur Chariot Scene

The end of the theater showing of the 1959 version of Ben Hur featured a piece on the training of the horses in the movie. Charlton Heston learned how to drive a 4-horse chariot team quickly because e learned how to drive a two-horse team for the film The Ten Commandments.

Great Way to Train Icelandics to Trailer Load

Most Icelandics are very food oriented.  I love the way this horse trainer uses clicker training and positive reinforcement to teach Normann the Icelandic to trailer load.  The trainer also chunks down the action--approach trailer, stand by trailer calmly, put one foot on trailer, etc.--before attempting the next step.  And the horse is a willing participant. 

There are three videos posted about this process--all very informative.

Training Horses for the Lloyds Bank advert

Here's the behind the scene's look at how the trainers worked with the black horses to film the follow up ad for Lloyds Bank in Britain. There's some really good insight for how to humanely train horses, including use of special shoes for galloping on hard surfaces.

Flooding Vs. Desensitizing Your Horse

Over the years, Blessi has taught me that helping a horse to overcome a scary situation can be done in two different ways. Systematic desensitization chunks down the situation and gradually introduces the scary item (Blessi prefers treats being involved) in stages acceptable to the horse. Flooding involves overwhelming the horse with the stimuli to until the horse shuts down and does what the human wants. Here's a great explanation of the two methods and why only one of them is Blessi-approved.

Intrinzen--To the Moon

To the moon from Seriouspony on Vimeo.
Kathy Sierra and Steiner Sigurbjornsson are leading the Intrizen group to develop a new way of working with the horse to develop its pride, agility, and fitness through positive reinforcement and a sense of play. So instead of chasing the horse with a longe whip, what if you rewarded the horse for chasing a plastic bag and then shaped that behavior to high leg lift? Icelandics aren't known for their baroque movements or collected canter but you can see some of the results in this video. Five gaiters are developing the most amazing, springy trot and four gaiters are volunteering loose rein tolt. I really need to get serious on starting this program with Blessi.

Distance to Set Cavalletti Poles for Gaited Horses

I have gone to several clinics that use ground poles for exercises as part of the session.  During a Western clinic, the instructor put up poles for a group trot exercise.  Most of the horses were Quarter Horses so the trot poles were placed rather close together suitable for their slow, joggy trot.  Blessi has a big trot, long strided trot for an Icelandic.  Blessi's trot strides were very uneven as we struggled with the timing over the poles.  Of course, the instructor placed the poles to benefit most of the class and Blessi and were outliers.

Jec Ballou, who has experience with many breeds of horses including Icelandics, is the author of several training books including 55 Corrective Exercises for Horses and   Equine Fitness.  Cavelletti  work is important for both gaited and non-gaited breeds but ground pole exercises are great for both gaited and non-gaited breeds.  She has written a great post on how to determine the spacing of ground poles for gaited breeds based on the stride length unique to your horse.  Here are her directions.

"Simple Ground Pole Set-up for Gaited Breeds

1. Set four or five ground poles parallel to each other in a line (so that you can ride straight across them). Space the poles at a distance of 8 feet* apart.
2. Now develop your working gait (Tolt, Foxtrot, Running Walk, etc.)
3. Ride straight across the poles.
4. You should count TWO steps from your horse between each pole. For instance, each front foot should take a step in the space between the poles before crossing over the next pole.
5. Your rhythm should feel like this: CROSS the pole, One-Two, CROSS the pole, One-Two, CROSS the pole, and so on… Feel for those beats and aim to keep them consistent each time you ride over the poles.
6. Repeat the pattern at least 12 times.

**this is an average spacing for a horse about 15.2 hands tall. If you ride a horse with a shorter stride, you will modify the spacing suggestion by 2-3 inches."


You can view the entire article via this link:

https://jecballou.com/cavalletti-exercises-for-gaited-breeds/

Treat training for Hippo Milking

I have been told by certain horse trainers that I should never feed Blessi treats. A Nile hippo named Bibi gave birth to a 6-week premature baby Fiona. The zoo attendants had to milk Bibi to get the necessary colostrum to provide the baby with necessary antibodies to protect against disease. How do you milk a hippo? You provide lots of treats (probably introduced much earlier as part of a clicker training program). Hey if treats are OK for Bibi, Blessi wants you to know that they are OK for him. And after 24-hour care for several days by Team Fiona, baby hippo is now doing fine as shown below. How cute is that baby hippo?

Principles of Horse Learning

We constantly debate different horse training methodologies—Parelli versus Anderson, classical German dressage versus classical French dressage, development of Alpha horse versus partner relationships, etc. I decided I have been getting caught up in labels and trainer personalities, so I thought I would try to switch my thinking from what is a “label” to “how does the horse learn.” Most of us borrow a technique from TTEAM, a tip from our Pony Club teacher, some Centered Riding, a dash of tolt training from our Icelandic instructor, the friendly game from Parelli, but why do we select those particular training techniques? My Icelandic horse Blessi is really my best guide to what works for us. He usually likes doing new and different things, but he is quick to respond to something or someone he thinks is unfair, confusing, aggressive, or overly repetitious. I was doing some online research when I came across the following article: “Does Your Training System Stand the Test of Science?” published by the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES). McGreevy and McLean reviewed the scientific research on equine learning theory and ethology to define what equine training principles are effective. The principles they lay out, paraphrased below, apply across all equine training methodologies from natural horsemanship to classical dressage. 1. Equine learning theory needs to be followed: Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and habituation can be used effectively but they must be used properly. Negative reinforcement must have a release, and there should be no prolonged pressure. 2. Train easy to discriminate signals: To be clear to the horse, certain signals can only be applied to the appropriate parts of the horse anatomy, and you should not confuse the horse by applying multiple signals at the same time. 3. Train and shape responses singularly: In other words, “chunk down” the steps and build them up one by one. 4. Train only one response per signal: One signal should have one response, but you can use several signals for the same response (i.e., several different ways to ask for backing on the ground), but once again this should be shaped and developed progressively. 5. Responses are to be completed within a consistent structure to confer predictability: Learned responses should be trained and occur within a certain timeframe so that they become habitual. 6. Train persistence of responses or self carriage: We should train the horse to self-carry or continue with behavior without excessive nagging or pressure. 7. Avoid associations with flight responses/fear because they are difficult to extinguish: “When animals experience fear, all characteristics of the environment at the time (including humans present) may be associated with the fear. It is known that fear responses do not fade as other responses do, and that fearful animals tend not to trial new learned responses. It is therefore essential that fear is avoided in training.” (ISES, paragraph 9) 8. Incorporate relaxation and ensure the absence of conflict in training: Make sure that the horse is relaxed during training. Avoid using uncomfortable tack or restraining devices. TIES TO ICELAND When I looked back at the techniques that Blessi and I liked from Methodology X, they followed the above principles. When I looked back at bad experiences that Blessi and I had with Methodology Y, those methods broke the above principles, especially 7 and 8. Believe it or not, there is a close tie between ISES and Iceland—and not just through my evaluation of Blessi’s training experiences. For many years, the renowned International Center for Icelandic Horses at Hólar University College, Iceland, had a research association with the University of Pennsylvania. In 2002, the Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Foundation (associated with the University of Pennsylvania); the University of Lincoln, Great Britain; and Hólar University College, Iceland sponsored a historic conference on horse welfare and behavior at Hólar. Daniel Mills, Principal Lecturer in Behavioural Studies & Animal Welfare, University of Lincoln, Great Britain, proclaimed this conference “probably the greatest gathering in recent times of equine behaviour and welfare scientists, with expertise spanning five decades of research” (2002, para 1). Scientists from Europe, North America, and Australia traveled to Iceland to present papers on topics such as horse housing, medical research, and social behavior. These presentations can be found online at the Havemeyer Foundation link cited in the references below. The site is a treasure trove of research articles on the Icelandic horse. Conference attendees acknowledged that the public and science have to take co-responsibility in promoting the welfare of the horse. Since 2002, scientists specializing in equine research have continued to hold yearly conferences to this end, and ISES was founded as a result of these conferences. ISES’ mission is to apply the results of scientific research to help improve the welfare of horses and their treatment by humans. And to think this all started in Iceland! References: 2002 Papers from the Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Foundation Conference held at Hólar University College can be found athttp://research.vet.upenn.edu/HavemeyerEquineBehaviorLabHomePage/ReferenceLibraryHavemeyerEquineBehaviorLab/HavemeyerWorkshops/HorseBehaviorandWelfare1316June2002/HorseBehaviorandWelfare2/DorothyRussellHavemeyerFoundationByTopic/tabid/3115/Default.aspx International Society for Equitation Science. (no date). “Does Your Training System Stand the Test of Science?” Found at http://www.equitationscience.com/Documents/TrainingPrinciples.pdf Mills, D.  (2002). “Call for better communication between science and public.” Found at http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/news/2002/07/holarconference.htm

Finding the Go in Icelandic Horses

Dani Germacher gave a Icelandic horse riding clinic at Sand Meadow Farms on the east coast.  She provides some excellent tips for improving your riding like how to use your breath to slow down or speed up a horse, a demonstration of how leg aids work because they are applied to one of the muscle groups controlling the hind end, etc.  I would love to go to one of her clinics.

I can't embed this video but you can access via this link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4dJ6g5_ePw

One of her useful tidbits is what happens when we give conflicting signals (both slow down and go at the same time).  A reactive, forward horse will listen to both signals and choose the go signal.  A less reactive horse will listen to both signals and choose slow.

Manola Mendez --Working with the Horse's Mind

Manolo Mendez, formerly the head rider of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, in Spain, does clinics around the globe now.  Blessi and I participated in one of his clinics.  It was amazing to see Manolo work with all types of horses and riders.  His in-hand work is especially impressive.  In this video, he talks about working with horse only when the horse's mind is engaged.  You can read more about his training methods at his web site:

http://www.manolomendezdressage.com/

One of these days, I have to get permission to post the video of Manolo's in-hand session with Blessi, Manolo's first encounter with an Icelandic horse.

Benedikt Líndal -- Training Icelandic horses

Benedikt Líndal is a master trainer of Icelandic horses.  He has created a series of videos on Youtube introducing his training--a combination of classical dressage, natural horsemanship, and traditional Icelandic methods.  You will also note some techniques relatively unique to Iceland--training in and around a round pen placed within an arena and training "in the nature."  One of the treats of this video is the quality of the horses and the range of color of the Icelandics shown.

The video is not narrated until the vary end when Lindal concludes "Finally let's remember one thing.  When the horse was born, he knew how to walk, trot, and dance around in tolt, and to pace.  He also knew how to back up and turn around in all directions.  We are not teaching him anything.  He knows it all.  What we are doing is to ask him to do those things with us.  And that is called harmony. "

Activating SEEK and Turning Off FEAR in Horses

In her book Animals Make Us Human, Dr. Temple Grandin discusses the emotions that many species of animals can have.  Animals and people have the same core emotions in the brain.   Dr. Panksepp, a neuroscientist, discovered that localized electrode stimulation of the brain caused  the same well-organized behavior for certain core emotions, which he calls “blue ribbon emotions.”  These emotions are rage, fear, panic, seek, lust, care, and play. (pp. 7-8)  Seeking is defined as “the positive emotions of wanting, looking forward to, or being curious about something…..SEEKING feels good” (p. 7)

In the chapter on horses, Dr. Grandin discusses the research on how horses react in relation to these emotions.  With horses, she posits that you can use positive reinforcement to activate the Seek emotion while turning off FEAR.  Fear and seek are the opposite ends of the emotional spectrum.   And with horses, fear can be easily converted to anger or rage.  For this reason, she highly recommends positive reinforcement to shape behavior whenever possible (although positive and negative reinforcement can be used together).  (p. 123) 

One week afterthe equine social intelligence test,
Blessi overturned and did "seeking" for carrots under
the racing barrels--even though I have never put
carrots under racing barrels

As Grandin states, “…when your horse becomes really accustomed to clicker training or other positive reinforcement to keep the SEEKING system turned on, you inhibit the FEAR system overall because the SEEKING system and the FEAR system are opposed inside the brain.  If you’re in the middle of a clicker-training session and a piece of plastic blows into your horse’s face, he’s going to be less likely to panic than he would be if his FEAR system were already mildly ‘turned on’ through negative reinforcement.
It’s easier for a horse to be brave
                                                              when he’s feeling happy than when
                                                              he’s feeling nervous or
                                                              afraid” (p.130). 

In many ways, using positive reinforcement is teaching the horse to train us—they learn how to learn.  “With positive reinforcement, the animal suddenly ‘gets it’ –realizes that it can do something to make a good thing happen.  That’s called learning to learn.  When the animal learns to learn, it starts to offer behavior.  That’s what behaviorists call it.  It’ll intentionally run through all kinds of different behaviors looking for one that will work” (Grandin, 2009, p. 131).

Blessi "volunteering" a smile to see if he can
earn a reward

Blessi and I do some training with treats.  I have found that Blessi often “volunteers” behavior such as bowing or smiling.  He is more likely to explore a novel item in his environment than panic over it.  People ask if Blessi is just a calm natured horse or if he has been trained to be accepting of new stimuli.  I have to say that it is probably a combination of both.

Source:
Grandin, T. (2009). Animals Make Us Human, First Mariner Book, NY.

Blessi at Police Horse Training

Flickr Photo by cwwycoff1 Carl Wycoff

This weekend, Blessi and I went to a Police Horse training clinic. Blessi surprised me since I thought we could encounter at least one thing that would make him nervous. There was nothing that he spooked at or hesitated at. New items encountered: magnesium flares, police dog following and barking at the horses, smoke bombs, whistles, siren, police car driving around horses with siren going and police dog in window barking at horses. And some of this happened while the horses were crossing wooden bridges and going through car washes and between pool noodles. I spent most of the day leading Blessi since I thought it was unfair to ride him for 6 hours when I have only been riding him for 15 or 20 minutes--plus I had a minor gastro-intestinal problem.

Some of the things Blessi did give me trouble with:

- He politely but definitely want to hang at one end of the arena since the last time we were at this stable we did cattle sorting. For the first half hour he was convinced there were still cattle in those pastures.

- He also wanted to hang with the mini donkey who kept braying. He was fascinated with that little guy. He put his head down very low and tried to get the mini donkey to share his breakfast.

- I used to treat Blessi from a peanut can during trick training. Smoke bombs come in similar cans and Blessi wanted to go over and grab the can. Now that would have been a bad scene.

- The trainer kept lowering more sheets in the car wash as Blessi and I were going through. Blessi kept stopping and tried to use his nose to help the instructor untie and lower more strips in the car wash.

- The assistant trainer had a whistle hanging around her neck. Blessi had never seen a whistle and he kept picking it up in his mouth.

I forgot to put my SD card in my camera so I have no photos!!

Can Horses and Dogs Get PTSD?

My sister's dog Lana

Approximately 5% of the military dogs serving in the US armed forces suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  If the dog cannot be cured, it will be retired from active service. 

Signs of PTSD disorder in military canines is shown by a variety of symptoms such as listless behavior, barking at gunfire that the  dog previous met with silence, and running away from certain situations.

"More serious cases will receive what Dr. Burghardt calls "desensitization counter-conditioning," which entails exposing the dog at a safe distance to a sight or sound that might trigger a reaction—a gunshot, a loud bang or a vehicle, for instance. If the dog does not react, it is rewarded, and the trigger—"the spider in a glass box," Dr. Burghardt calls it—is moved progressively closer until the dog is comfortable with it."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/military-dogs-taking-xanax-receiving-therapy-canine-ptsd-222819057.html

So what does this have to do with horses you might ask?  Temple Grandin, an animal behaviorist, in her book Animals Make Us Human discusses how rough training methods may ruin a horse.  She compares "sacking out" or the exposure of a horse to all manner of new things all at once to overwhelming or "flooding" a horse with new stimuli.  All horses react with fear--some adjust but some do not and are traumatized.  As Grandin states:

"It's a horrible thing to do to a horse.  The hot-blooded Arab-type horse, you traumatize and wreck.   I think you get a post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) effect, similar to a traumatized war veteran.  A horse treated this way can't be ridden.  A less reactive horse, like a quarter horse from a bloodline that's really calm, can take it, but it's still a bad thing to do."  (p. 108)

Grandin recommends habituating horses gradually to new and strange stimuli similar to what Dr. Burghardt calls "desensitization counter-conditioning."

Source: Grandin, T.  (2009).  Animals Make Us Human, First Mariner Book, NY.

Pippi Longstocking rides a pony

Although the equine in this video is not an Icelandic, you have to admit that the pony is darn cute.  And the little rider dressed as Pippi Longstocking has spent a lot of quality time working with her pony.  This is your quota of cuteness for the day.