A Horse, Of Course - Horse Training with "Magic"

Horse Training with "Magic"

Don Blazer
copyright©2010

     If you believe some trainers' claims they can sell you the secret to "tame and train" your horse in just six hours...

     If you believe the claim some trainers can cure 19 of your horse's worst behavior problems in just 7 days...

     If you think you can do with your horse what the horse expo clinicians are doing in their "show"…

     If you think you can buy a secret "horse powder" which "cures" more diseases than any other known medicine…..then George Strait and I have some ocean front property in Arizona we'd love to sell you.

     In fact if you believe one self-proclaimed trainer's claim that he can teach you to train your horse not to "crib", then we'll throw in the Golden Gate Bridge free.

     I can't believe anyone would buy anything from these "magic bullet" sales pitches offered by people who haven't proven they can train a horse to eat hay.

     If they can teach you to train your horse to stop uncontrolled bucking, cribbing, biting and kicking in just six hours, or cure 19 of your horse's worst problems in 7 days, why aren't they so busy training horses that they don't have time to waste your time?

     Because they can't!

     They sell their "magic" to people who haven't got a clue about horse behavior, health or training. Any horse lover with a horse that bites, kicks, engages in uncontrolled bucking and has 19 other behavior problems has more of a problem with herself than she has with her horse.

     If you buy into any "instant" or miraculous" training of a horse, you need Bill Engvall to present you with one of his "signs."

     Horses' responses are "instinct" or "habits made or in the making."

     You don't train "instinct", and it takes years to make the correct responses into habit. If you don't believe that, why do you think "world champion horses" continue to be in training year after year?

     All of the magic claims don't surprise me now that I've had a chance to look over some survey results.

     In an industry where "knowledge" is THE key factor, 75 per cent of those who consider themselves "professionals" have had no formal education relating to their "profession".

     This statistic doesn't just apply to horse trainers…it applies, unfortunately, to riding instructors, stable managers, breeders and tack store sales personnel.   Considering the survey report, it isn't surprising that horse owners consistently report having "trouble finding a good trainer."    According to respondents, a "good trainer" is one who knows more about a horse than just training. A good trainer should know about nutrition, equipment, behavior modification, health and disease and stable management.

     And respondents think a trainer that also gives lessons should have had some formal education in "how to teach." The techniques of effective teaching don't include standing in the center of the arena yelling, "Heels down, shoulder's back."

     There is nothing wrong with the skills and talents of those who are winning at the highest levels of competition. Such horsemen and women are certainly professionals and they have the records to prove it. The problem is, there are so few of them.

     Of the survey respondents, 75 per cent, including the professionals, want to have a horse business in one way or another, so they are trying to sell you something.   Yet combined, 78 per cent of them have not participated in any kind of horse education program.

     Eighty-two per cent of those who consider their horses a hobby have never participated in any kind of educational program involving horse health care, hoof care, equine nutrition, horse conformation or the legal aspects of owning a horse.

     Before you buy, ask to see some education credentials…and if not education credentials then a proven record of success doing what he or she says he or she can do.

     Don't be embarrassed to ask; if you don't stand up to the claims, you'll fall for anything!

Visit A Horse, Of Course on the Internet at www.donblazer.com