Training a miniature horse:

Repetition, repetition, repetition, consistency, consistency, consistency, and patience for horse and owner alike; that is how to train a horse.

As children, we learn language in order to communicate. Our parents teach us language usage by word association, word consistency, and word repetition. Like children, a horse must learn our language and vice versa. Obviously, horses do not verbalize as we do, so they must learn through repetition and consistency; the same words for the same actions and situations. To become proficient, this training must be daily or every other day until the skill or action is learned.

If you will begin your training for 5 - 10 minutes a day, you will be surprised how quickly your horse will catch on. Start with an easy task, and then build up. You may start with something as simple as asking the horse to walk along side of you and stop when you say “whoa”. Praise the horse if the task is done well and walk a little more, then repeat the same process. If the horse hasn’t responded positively, ask him to do the task again until he is doing what you have asked. When the horse has finished the training session, ask for a simple task that he is able to do then put him back in the stall or give him some turn out time. Always end on a positive action.

Stick to one new task until the horse masters it. Move on to a new task only when the earlier training is memorized and performed successfully by the horse. The following day you should ask for that task, if done well, add another task and continue to build his understanding of your words and body language. Remember that horses naturally pick up on nonverbal cues so you will find your horse is learning your body language in addition to the verbal cues.

Just like children, or adults for that matter, horses will test your limits. Minis are very smart so if you reward for positive behavior, which may be with your voice tone and a scratch on the neck or an occasional treat, they quickly learn that it is easier to do what you ask of them. Rarely do I find one that doesn’t respond to positive reinforcement.

Many times training problems arise from lack of understanding what is being asked of them or fear of a new situation. 99% of the time, the horse truly wants to do what you want him to do. Rarely, if ever, will you find one that is just looking for a confrontation.

One of the biggest challenges is not to spoil the miniatures because they are so cute, friendly, and small. Remember, some of the things they do as foals are cute; once they weigh 200 - 250 pounds it isn't as cute and may become dangerous. We had a sweet client that just couldn’t resist allowing her mini foal to rear up at her and place his legs around her neck, never dreaming that this would become a big problem as he matured to 250 pounds of testosterone. Remember, it is much easier to keep from developing bad habits than trying to break one.

If you have miniature horse shows close to you, go and observe what the winning handlers are doing as far as show style. Not all trainers show the horses respect but if you watch, you can see the difference in the way the horses respond. It is wonderful to see a horse show well because he likes and respects the handler; it is not fun to watch a horse trying to show in response to fear.

Truly, training a mini is no different than training any other animal – body language, consistency, repetition, and tone of voice is the key. I’ve been fortunate to have a natural rapport with animals so training is easy for me; hopefully, it will be for you too.

Here is an informative article from the publication The Horse, I couldn't agree more! You may also find the article on line at TheHorse.com, a publication well worth the cost which is available in magazine form and eNewsletters.

Training, Not Coercion, is Key to a Well-Behaved Athlete

by: Marie Rosenthal, MS
December 03 2010, Article # 17334

The best way to train a horse is to use techniques that "align with the horse's view of the world," according to Paul McGreevy, BVSc, MRCVS, PhD, MACVSc, associate professor of veterinary science at the University of Sydney in Camden, New South Wales, Australia, who recently published a paper on the topic.

It is possible to train even the most unruly horse effectively and humanely by using techniques that are relevant to a horse's cognitive abilities, according to McGreevy. He believes that training techniques such as hyperflexion of the neck (rollkur) and the use of electric shock collars can actually inhibit learning, confuse the animal, and compromise his welfare.

"Some people believe horses have cognitive powers similar to our own and that, therefore, horses know when they have misbehaved," he said. A horse has no way of connecting misbehavior to a correction like water deprivation, he continued.

"Excellent technique relies on clarity, timing, and consistency," he said.

McGreevy suggested using a series of training tools to keep a horse progressing in the right direction:

Use scientific training methods that are humane. If you use negative reinforcement, cease the activity as soon as the horse obeys. Pressure after compliance can confuse the horse;
Use easy-to-understand signals, and isolate each signal from the other as much as possible. Overlapping signals can be difficult for the horse to understand;
Teach one command at a time, and connect it a specific signal. If an activity is complex, break it down into different components. Once the horse knows the individual components, put them together;
Apply rewards immediately so that the horse connects the learned signal and the response to the reward;
Learning is doing. Once the horse learns the signal and response, he should continue giving the desired behavior when asked. There is no need to keep signaling with spurs or rein pressure, he said;
Fearful animals don't listen because they are doing what they feel they need to do to survive. Build trust with the horse so he works with you rather than against you.

Training should not be a test of wills. Use techniques that minimize conflict behavior and encourage submission and relaxation in the horse.

McGreevy does not supply any training methods in his research; his research focuses on understanding how a rider can most effectively communicate with their horse.

The abstract, "Horse-training techniques that may defy the principles of learning theory and compromise welfare," was published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior.