Clinicians each have their own methods for
developing communication, trust and respect with horses which ultimately leads
to a desired partnership and a required performance level. These methods are probably best demonstrated
in the starting process.
Like humans, horses are individuals with different
temperaments, characteristics and quirks so it is unlikely that any one
consistent method will work with every horse.
It is reasonable to expect then that clinicians make adjustments to
their methods to adapt to the needs of the horse they are working with.
In the 2015 Road to the Horse Competition three
skilled clinicians were each challenged to start two three year old untouched
colts. This gives students of the horse
an exceptional opportunity to observe how different horses respond or react to
a variety of training techniques.
It also shows how the clinicians
adapt their methods to respond to the needs of the different horses.
The great advantage of DVD programs is that you can
review segments to observe all of the subtle differences in the behaviour of
the horses and you can see how the horseman adjust his methods to meet the
needs of the horse. As in all real time
events the adjustments of the horseman are not always successful and they must
make adjustments on the fly.
For me this
program is an absolute treasure of information that I could not possibly obtain
any other way. Without a doubt this is
probably the best program Road to the Horse has presented and I have watched
every one of them many times.
