Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A book chock-full of answers to horse-behavior questions that will change equine life for the better. Relationships with horses, whether for companionship or competition, are complex and ever-changing. Horsewoman Lynn Acton explains that when the focus in the relationship is on what we want from the horse, his compliance becomes the measure of success, and what he thinks and feels is often overlooked. Is he calm, confident, and trusting? Or anxiously wishing he could escape? His behavior, performance, and reliability--in whatever discipline we prefer or equestrian sport we pursue--depend on the answers to those questions.
In this book, Acton teaches readers how to:
- Earn a horse's trust starting from the moment you meet him.
- Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment.
- Catch an "uncatchable" horse by showing him he will be safe when he is with you.
- Interpret unwanted behavior so you can identify and address underlying causes.
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- Recognize "misbehavior" that is actually a positive sign that your horse is thinking like a partner.
- Turn pressure into a clear means of communication instead of a source of stress.
- Encourage your horse to stay with you when he is nervous and watch for your guidance and direction.
- Use rewards to encourage learning and improve your relationship with your horse.
- Reawaken your horse's curiosity and ability to learn in new and potentially scary situations.
- Improve your horse's reliability with a positive confidence-building system.
- Strengthen your connection with your horse by allowing him appropriate choices and freedom.
Horses want security and social bonds. They want leaders they trust to protect them--not only from danger, but from stress. When we provide this security, they accept our rules. This not only puts us in charge, it makes our leadership more effective because we do not force it on them; they seek it. The result is less anxiety, fewer behavior problems, more efficient learning, and better reliability.
Acton refers to this relationship as Protector Leadership because being the "protector" is the foundation. Building methodology based on time-tested training theories that we are often exposed to in bits and pieces, in this book, Acton shows why Protector Leadership works and how to make it work for us, fitting the separate pieces together, and illustrating the connections with practical examples of real horses in everyday life. Riders of all disciplines and students of the horse of all experience levels will ponder illuminating points they may have never before considered.
Synopsis
A book
chock-full of answers to horse-behavior questions that will change your horse's
life for the better.
Horses
want partners they trust. Meeting their need for security makes them more
tuned-in, calmer, and more reliable. In her engaging book, highly
illustrated with professional color photographs, certified riding instructor
Lynn Acton, MS, shows you how, with practical step-by-step
instructions. You'll see that progress can be surprisingly fast with
methods that are gentle, time-tested, backed by science, and that make
intuitive sense to your horse.
Discover
how to earn trust and make training more efficient by engaging horses' innate
intelligence, maintaining clear two-way communication, and considering their
point of view. This leadership approach has been used successfully for
centuries by people of all backgrounds and skill levels on horses at all levels
of training. Acton refers to this relationship as Protector
Leadership because you are the horse's protector. In these pages, she combines
extensive horse experience and an academic background in social dynamics with
in-depth research. She interprets and cites the scientific findings that
explain why Protector Leadership works, and offers valuable insights into
equine psychology while exposing myths that are sources of problems. Plus,
Acton includes "Things to Try" at the end of each chapter--fun and
easy-to-implement exercises that help you engage your horse as a thinking
partner
Throughout,
the narrative includes stories of Acton's progress with her own horses,
including mistakes and hindsight, and especially the transformation of the
book's "cover girl" Brandy from a dangerous throwaway to a happy,
reliable partner. Clear, detailed photographs show the subtle body language of
horses and people, and illustrate critical interactions that make a real
difference in our relationships, communication, and training.
These
are a few of the concrete skills you will learn:
-
Earn trust starting the moment you meet a horse.
-
Recognize "misbehavior" that actually means your horse is
thinking like a partner.
-
Turn pressure into clear communication instead of stress.
-
Use Positive Reinforcement for better learning, behavior, and
reliability.
-
Turn anxiety and spooks into confidence building situations.
-
Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment.
-
Allow your horse appropriate choices and freedom.
As your bond strengthens, you can enjoy watching your
horse's true personality blossom. A thoughtful, progressive book for
riders of all disciplines and students of the horse of all experience
levels.