There was a horse I loved to ride for lessons, and I noticed what you're talking about with him. I could feel the difference in him between when he was being stubborn and when he was -thinking-. If I pushed when he was being stubborn, he'd just do what I asked, but if I pushed when he was just trying to figure it out he would get upset. A lot like myself, come to think of it. I miss that horse.
This reminds me of when I was training my dogs new things. They would go through everything they already knew, as though they were saying, "is this what you want?", "no?", OK, how about this?". I loved how they were trying to figure it out, trying to please me :-)
My god this video needs to be sent to all horse owners! Most people I know, including myself would have interpreted the backing up and pawing as evasion! I feel so bad now 😭😭😅 wish I’d seen this years ago.
Warwick, when I think about this video.... it is without a doubt the most profound video you have posted on YT+FB and on the subscription.... it really cuts to the chase about rewarding the try. If I have insomnia tonight it is your fault as I process this....
lol what a cute horse. Lots of try in him. I also look for that in horses. I like when they are trying to find the right answer. You also got to make the right answer easy.
There is another great principle "Last Thing They Do is the First Thing They Remember". Just watched all of your Principles of Training videos - awesome!
That horse is a pretty quick learner , what i really liked about what you said is that you didnt increase the intensity and so he was still calm and relaxed, it didnt drive him off at a faster pace...thanks that was great advice !!
I was auditing a clinic, told one gal I talk HER horse if I was given my choice, ( even tho he was gaited and HUGE) just because he was trying so hard. That "try" is so important and undervalued.
Dogs are very similar. During training they will do that. But, it's funny when you have a treat and they know they have to do something before they get the treat, they will run through their repertoire. So, if I show them the treat before I ask anything, they may down, sit, rollover, give paw, hoping they get the treat with one of them!
I really enjoy your videos do you ever make it to Wyoming? I would love to attend one of your clinics. I've had horse all my life and at one point I even made it my business but know its just my personal passion. I found I wasn't a fan of people who could only view horses as pets. You have a great ability of teaching people how the horse thinks. Thank you Please keep making you videos.
This is harder than it looks. I don't even have a horse but if I would do that I would have made so many mistakes. I really lack experience and confidence around horses.
Hey Warwick I have a problem with my 8 months old appaloosa. He just doesnt want to get in the box or in the paddock. What can I do? He locks his feet on the ground.
Have you ever trained a horse for driving ? Is the training for a driving horse different than a riding horse ? Can a horse be good driving horse and good riding horse at the same time ?
Absolutely! A good horse can do both. To drive, a horse has to be very sensitive to voice commands as you have to legs and seat to communicate. My TBx can do both and it is awesome! I used Warwicks methods to teach my horse to drive, actually so he wouldn't fear sounds and such behind him when pulling the cart. ETA: some driving events also have a ridden component to show the horses versatility.
But if you walk toward a horse, look him in the eye, and aggressively wave a flag at his chest - YES! He's almost certainly going to back up! That's a perfectly sensible response; I'd probably back up too. So, rather than saying that this is "wrong" for some unknown and arbitrary reason, wouldn't it be smarter to just apply a new - more rational - cue that clearly means "move sideways"? Anybody familiar with equine body language - Mr Schiller included - could easily do that. I sometimes think these horse gurus are actively looking for ways to complicate the simplest things, just so they can look special and sell you a video.
You must have watched. different video professor, at no point did the flag ever go toward this horses chest, it started way out on his left side, and approached, his left shoulder, from the left. Nothing in that says back up
@@WarwickSchiller Sure it does. He's looking and walking directly forward. But you don't have to believe me. Try it yourself: start in Schiller's original position. Move one step to the right. Angle your body towards, and direct your attention to, a spot behind your horse's shoulder. Point your little flag towards his barrel, and I'll betcha ten bucks he steps over on the first try, without all that silly flailing about.
@@WarwickSchiller 😂 Oh, my. I'm only just now realizing that it was actually Mr Schiller who answered - I just assumed you were a fan. I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to sound so bitchy!
I have to disagree on the backing up piece..the horse was backing up fine but he THEN should have let up on the flag b/c the horse was obliging The horse started pawing when he continued to be quite aggressive with the flag regardless of the horse backing up?? That (to me) would have confused me.."Im doing what you are asking but you continue to hit me with that flag, is this not what you want? Then he pawed but he continued to do EXACT same thing so (to me) he just confused the hell of the horse. When a horse obliges you reward not beat with the flag. IOW, maybe ask to back up by slowly putting pressure to go backwards..if he resists, use flag..as soon as he starts backing up, GIVE UP on the flag and say "good boy,"....MEN..they dont know how to talk to animals. Like he said in an earlier video.its about being present and connecting. Learn from Mia Lykke. She does everything by "asking" the horse gently and rewarding.
Karen Luce - Warwick did not ask the horse to back up. If he would have released the pressure (stopped waving the flag) the horse would have thought backing up is the right answer. Remember, pressure motivates the horse to move, but the release of pressure is what teaches the horse what the right answer is.