How to talk to a Horse or Horses

Is there really such a thing as Horse Whispering? Yes and No. This article tell you why and how can anyone able to do this.

1 Learning to talk to a horse in its own language is not magic. Anyone can learn to talk to a horse. Truly, the only thing required is patience, and the ability to adapt to a language that uses the body far more than it uses sound. The first, and most important step in learning a horse's language, is to spend time watching horses interact with one another. Watch them especially when horses are eating, fighting or when they are with their foals and/or friends. Pay attention when they groom one another, and any and all social interaction that takes place between different members of the herd.

2 Plan on making observations over a long period of time. In fact, lifelong horsepeople will spend as much time as they can each day just observing the horses. People who watch more than speak are true experts. By watching, observe how the horses talk to one another. Very rarely does actually vocalizing take place. The equine, body language and "energy" is horse communication. When a horse chews and licks its lips, it is relaxed, and its ears will rotate out and relax. Anger is displayed through tensed lips, pinned ears, narrowed eyes and flattened nostrils. If this is not enough to get the message across, a snort or a warning kick will be added. Still not enough? Be prepared for a savage bite and a whirl and kick out with both hind feet. Contentment is a heavy sigh and a cocked hind leg. There are as many ways for a horse to display feelings through its body as there are ways for people to talk with language.

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3 Watch and learn from books, tapes, and whatever other media are available, then put it into practice. Go out into the horse's world and say hello. How does one say hello to a horse? NOT by patting its nose. Horses, when they meet in the wild and wish to be friendly, will sniff one another lightly in greeting, then will rub each other on the neck, down by the shoulder. This will quickly progress to mutual grooming behind the withers and along the backbone. Make a proper happy greeting to the horse by approaching him with a hand out to the horse's neck. Touch the horse there. If a nose is offered, gently blow into the horse's nostrils. Pat the horse on the neck and scratch him. He will quickly communicate where to scratch, so continue to do so.

4 Do not allow a horse to crowd or push to earn respect. Horses are very physical creatures, and demand respect from one another. If a horse pushes, stab at his flank with stiff fingers to get the horse off. Squared shoulders and a firm voice make the horse know what is happening. As soon as the horse has listened, immediately back off. Press and release.

5 Use these steps and begin a wonderful lifelong conversation with horses. Horses are incredibly subtle creatures. For example, to calm a fractious horse, speak softly and soothingly, caress his neck and shoulder, and concentrate on thinking calming thoughts. Natural energy will communicate itself to the equine, and the horse will respond. If the trainer is upset the horse knows it. The energy of angry feelings is sensed and acted on by the horse. Never underestimate the sensitivity of these creatures.

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How to Break a Horse to Ride

Please verify that your young horse is ready to ride before you begin any training or your horse may get what is called a "sway back". Only follow these steps if you have spent many, many hours with this horse and you feel comfortable trying to train the horse yourself. Keep in mind that this method will not work if you do not have patience and determination.

1 Get your horse into a stall and practice putting a halter on your horse. Once the horse has gotten used to the halter try adding the bit. This requires some patience and love, the horse does not initially like the feel of the bit. Practice this step for a few days, and make sure you stay with your horse while he is wearing these items.

2 Add the western saddle, the horse will probably not like the tightening of the Saddle. Use positive reinforcement, hold the halter and talk very calm while someone tightens the saddle. Stay around the barn and let the horse wear the saddle to get comfortable with it on. After several days of doing these same steps, the horse should be used to the Halter, Bit, Blanket and Saddle.

3 Lead the horse (wearing the halter, bit and saddle) to a corral. This is where you will add two empty milk jugs that you have pre-filled 1/3 of the way up with small stones. The two jugs need to be tied together with a rope, allowing enough slack so that they can hang down about a foot on each side of the saddle horn when placed around the saddle horn by the rope/twine. This will allow the horse to get used to the noise and the movement of something in the saddle. Do NOT get in the Corral with him, stand on the outside of the fence and take the lead rope off after adding the jugs. The horse will more than likely do a LOT of bucking and eventually wear them self out and calm down. The next day do the same method and you should get a much milder reaction. Repeat until you get no reaction to the jugs.

                                                     

4 Add another set of two milk jugs pre-filled to the top with sand this time. This is to adjust the horse to more weight. The horse will barely even notice the weight and you should certainly got a much milder reaction. After a few days you should feel comfortable enough to lead the horse around in the corral.

5 Decide who will be the first in the saddle to ride the horse. Have someone hold the halter while you slowly get onto the saddle (while your horse is next to the fence). DO NOT put your feet in the stirrups in case your horse reacts to you being on him and you have to make a quick leap back to the fence. Exercise safety and be the judge of if you need to stay next to the fence for a long period of time the first day in the saddle.

6 Ride your horse around the corral with someone leading the horse with a lead rope until you are ready to ride alone. Be proud of yourself and your horse and happy trails to you both.

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