|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They say the eyes are are the gateway to the soul. When it was said, they were referring to us humans. But the truth is, it also refers to horses.
Many horse owners don't understand the importance and usefulness of the horse's eyes while training. That being so, let me share with you some things you may find useful - some you may know...some you may not.
First, there's the eye which reveals a little about the character of the horse you're working with. It may have a kind eye. A kind eye indicates the horse will be agreeable to train and will readily respond to your aids while training.
One way to tell if the horse is nervous is by noting his eyes. Horses can be very expressive in their looks. And you can tell if a horse is a nervous horse by the eyes appearing sort of "worried like."
Obviously, this nervous horse would require more thoughtful handling than would a non-nervous horse.
I have a horse that would get mad after a while of riding. She used to get what I call mad eyes. Her expression was actually a sort of angry expression. Mostly, the expression came from her eyes. Here eyes would get red after a while.
Jesse Beery, a famous horse trainer from the 1800's, talked a lot about the eyes of the horse. Even those many years ago he knew about the horse's eyes. Beery discovered there were four different disposition types of a horse. Certain characteristics of the eyes would tell you much about the horse's personality and how much work it would be to train the horse.
Berry's classic disposition type 3 was most interesting. Beery said "Where type #2 will allow you to do all the work, type 3 will do all the work for you. You only need to control its movements."
In all my training experience and many things I've read, I concur with Beery's discovery. The eyes play an enormous role in horse training.
To read more about Beery and his methods, you can go to this web address:
http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beery_etips.htm
There is still more to know about the horse's eyes.
For one, when you work with a horse, it's advisable to look him in the eye a lot. Why? Because horse's an extremely observant animal and they study their surroundings. If you're in their surroundings they are studying you too. If they see you looking at them in the eye it sends a message to them about who is in control.
If you're working with a horse that's cunning and known to run over people then you rarely want to lose eye contact with this horse. Sometimes when you look away for just a second he knows it's his chance to charge at you. But keeping eye contact helps minimize that possibility.
Although a horse's ears are part of the plan. the eyes are how the horse interprets his world. The horse gladly desires to approach an object or person that has caused him pleasure. Likewise, he runs from objects or persons that cause him pain. (Pain could be a number of things like work, misuse of aids such as spurs, being talked to in an abrasive manner, etc.)
Lots of horse owners get discouraged with their horse because they develop bad habits. One particular habit is kicking. I once read a great book on horses and it said this about kicking:
If a horse kicks at a man and sees he inspired the man with fear and makes him draw back, he will remember this and kick any man who goes near him whom he fears or has the memory of displeasure with.
Note the author said "...and see he inspired the man with fear". The point is the horse "saw" the man was inspired with fear. The horse used one of his greatest tools...his eyes. If a man shows no fear and knows how to handle a kicker, the horse will "see" he cannot inspire fear in the man and be less apt to kick (although, if confirmed in the habit of kicking, it may require several training sessions to eradicate this from the horse's memory).
In short, the eyes are the mirror of the horse's mind. Quiet eyes indicate quietness and sincerity. Quick and lively eye indicate vivacity. Restless eyes turning in all directions indicate suspicion and show the horse is studying all around him and may perhaps be preparing some freak of self will. Turbid eyes indicate fear or anger.
There's a proverb that tells us not to trust the horse that shows the white of his eyes. Perhaps it's because the white shows when he's looking sideways and he's intent on seizing the moment when no attention is being paid for escape or attack.
I could go on about the eyes but this hopefully gives you a great idea as to how important the horse's eyes are. Make it a habit to continually watch the horse's eyes. Learn what he is thinking by learning his eyes.
About The Author
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.
Wind Chimes and more... If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More Your dog seems to be driving you up the wall... Read More Shock CollarsAre you at a loss as to whether or... Read More Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More "Doggy breath" ? that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths... Read More Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More The real apistogramma's come from southern America, they all have... Read More Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More General Info.Brine shrimps, or artemia, are a zooplankton used mainly... Read More While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More 'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More Breed specific legislation otherwise known as "BSL" has started to... Read More For all pet owners, regular monitoring and "examinations" of your... Read More You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More They say the eyes are are the gateway to the... Read More Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because... Read More There are many ways in which you can prepare for,... Read More Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
Those Amazing Dog Noses -- Fun Facts About A Chilly Little Organ
Does Your Dog Miss You Too Much?
Shock Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits
Home Hazards That Can Affect Our Pets
Grieving Our Pets Death
Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?
Caring For Your Pomeranians Teeth
Apistogramma , Dwarf Cichlids in the Aquarium
Electric Dog Fences: Keep You Pet in the Yard and Out of Places You Dont Want Them to Be
Growing Adult Brine Shrimp
Preparing Your Home For a New Puppy
New Book Helps Worried Owners Of A Pregnant Cat
Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying?
Why Dont I Understand My Dog?
Tips to Help Solve the Three Most Common Dog Barking Complaints
Breed Specific Legislation: Is Your Pit Bull Next?
Personal Pet Check-Ups
Horse Manure Management--What are Your Options?
Why The Horses Eyes Are So Important When Training Him!
How To Get Your Horse From Pulling Back While Tied
Tips for Overcoming Boredom and Routine Stress
Does Your Dog Dig?
Is your Dog Malnourished?
Breeding Clownfish
Do You Make These Mistakes Loading Your Horse Into A Trailer?
Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More
From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
The groups of fishes commonly referred to as Cichlids, comprise... Read More
Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
Chocolate. Who can resist it?Your dogs health depends on it!... Read More
Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship... Read More
Obesity is one of the most important health concerns facing... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
It's no secret that Americans love their pets. In fact,... Read More
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close... Read More
Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Does that sound familiar? Hopefully... Read More
A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More
Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it's always... Read More
Dog grooming is relatively simple for most dogs. I have... Read More
Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of... Read More
"Hamsters?!" I hear you say. "Who cares about some fury... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
Pet |