Not long ago, I watched a series of Clinton Anderson videos on horse training. I was quite impressed with Clinton’s methodology, his understanding of the learning processes of a horse, and his ability to communicate his knowledge to the viewers. I thought they were well-organized video presentations that progressed in a logical manner.
I was particularly impressed with the respect and attention the horses gave Clinton and with the constancy and consistency with which he related to them. It seemed the horses were constantly looking at him, as if to ask, “Ok! What next?”, yet, when it was time to relax the horses were able to sense that from Clinton and were almost immediately at ease. The horses seemed to enjoy being with him, receiving his instructions almost eagerly. They appeared happy to be doing what he asked of them. I began to pay closer attention to the horses and their progress through the training, rather than what Clinton was actually training them to do.
In one video, Clinton brings in an older mare, who was brought to him for re-training, because she had become disrespectful and ornery to her owners. Her attitude and disrespect for humans was immediately obvious when Clinton gave his first command to her. She had her ears back and was rather belligerent. What she didn’t realize at first, however, was that Clinton “talks softly, but carries a big stick”, as the saying goes.
Clinton started conducting his ground training regime with the mare by “desensitizing” her to his training tools, consisting of a training staff, a stout fiberglass rod about 4-5 feet long, and a long string that may be attached to the end of the staff. He touched and rubbed the mare with the staff until she understood that the staff did not hurt her and was not a punishment in itself. Then he attached the string and did the same thing, tossing it over her back and wrapping it around her legs. He did this until the horse stopped reacting at all to the staff and string. Also, I noted that during training Clinton used the same staff to give reward, as well as punishment. The horse learned not to fear the staff and string and that punishment and reward came from Clinton, not the staff and string.
He then asked her to move her hind-quarters away from him. Clinton did this by waving his training staff in the air and focusing his energy toward the mare’s hind-quarters. She ignored him. Clinton asked again by touching the mare on the rump with the staff as he waved it and focused on her hind-quarters. Again she ignored him. The third time Clinton asked her to move, he tapped a bit harder. She ignored. He then popped her hard on the rump with the staff. Her instant reaction was one borne of the disrespect she had developed for humans over the course of her past several years. She immediately kicked out at the staff.
The mare’s kick opened up a teaching opportunity for Clinton and a learning opportunity for the horse. The disrespectful mare had no sooner kicked out, than Clinton gave her a mighty “whack” on the rump with the training staff! I mean her feet hadn’t even hit the ground before Clinton hit her. The punishment for a mean, disrespectful, belligerent, and dangerous action was instantaneous. Clinton did not punish her for not moving, but for kicking. For the command to move her hind-quarters he simply increased the pressure, or discomfort, to persuade her to move, but for the kick she received a pretty severe punishment.
That was the last time I ever saw that horse kick. The next time he asked her to move her hind-quarters, she moved. Still not quite like he wanted, but she made the effort and from there she progressed, becoming increasingly more compliant, in order to avoid the increasing pressure from disobedience to his commands. From that point her re-training progressed quite rapidly.
Now, let me talk a little about the transformation I saw in that mare – the thing that inspired this post. At the beginning of the training this was an ornery, stubborn, disrespectful, and generally difficult mare. By the end of the video this same mare had a completely different personality. She looked to Clinton with ears perked forward, focused, and energetically looked for and obeyed every command he gave her. I was struck by the fact that this horse was actually happier than she was before. As I watched her with her trainer, she was happy! She looked like she was years younger physically, as well. She had given up doing things her way and was willingly doing what her master asked. She was happier being submissive and obedient than she was being disrespectful and belligerent.
Over the years, I have found so many parallels between horse training and human relations that I often wonder if the same training techniques might work with people…with a few adaptations, of course (the whacking with the staff thing is out). I believe that constancy and consistency are key factors. I believe another key factor, possibly the most important, is for one to find true leaders, or heroes, throughout one’s life, who have shown they are truly worthy of emulation, not because of beauty, fame, intelligence, or finances, but because of those things that truly make one great: honor, dignity, kindness, dedication, service, charity, and hard work.
In looking back on my life, I have been happier when I have been submissive and obedient to those in authority over me whom I respect and honor. I do not speak of blind faith or mindless following. I speak of following those who have taught me good and righteous principles over the course of my life. I speak of good teachers, church leaders, historical heroes, friends, and most importantly, my parents.
There is something good and elevating in submission and obedience to good principles that increases one’s ability to be happy.