Teaching vocal commands

[Sol]

Had a jumping lesson the other day, and one of the things my instructor had me doing was verbally telling Danny to 'woah' (or just 'STOP ffs!!'

) after each jump, as he has a tendency to run on and not slow down at all, which makes doubles... interesting

I was wondering though, how can I reinforce this command best? I'm thinking it could be VERY handy if I can teach him to stop/slow down a lot on command so hopefully when we next try XC, he will a) stop after fences and b) stop when he decides to take off after a horse he's seen a mile away!

(well, that's the theory

)

I also found that doing this helped stop me tensing up so much, which is great! I automatically cant talk if I'm tense, for some reason, so it sort of counters it somehow...

Any ideas??

 

[kerilli]

old stirrup leather round neck, quite loose, and give it a tug every time you say whoa, at walk, then trot, then canter, then jumping.

 

[Sol]

Thanks! Hmm... hope I have some stirrup leathers long enough!

 

[katie_and_toto]

Toto responds very well to voice commands, I use 'steady' to just slow him down a little bit, and 'woah' to bring him from trot to walk/walk to halt etc., very useful if you accidentally drop your reins or almost fall off

Just say the command every time you do a transition, he should pick up what you mean after a while, and ditto what kerilli says about the neck strap

 

[siennamum]

Sienna will do most things from voice commands, I never understand people who don't talk to their horses. Try closing your knees for downwards transitions, that'll stop you always relying on the reins, accompany it with the voice & horse will learn to respond to both.

 

[Sol]

Danny? pick something up?

haha, we'll see! Normally the only thing I can get him to learn is to be a complete prat!

(I'm hoping that at 6, he might get sane...er....)

Thanks

 

[Sol]

I try to talk and usually end up forgetting about it.... I can't think about speech & ride apparently!
Will give that a go, thanks!