How to Teach Your Horse to Lay Down

This trick is much more advanced than any other trick that Lilo and I have done. Not because of the difficulty, but because of the time that it takes to get there! In fact, Lilo doesn't completely know what I am asking of him yet. With laying down, I 100% disagree with any form of force to get the horse on the ground. It is a tremendous invasion of trust, space, and respect. So, I like to do it in a much more natural way. What I do is I start off by rinsing the horse off, and taking them to an area where they like to roll (for Lilo, it is in the arena!). If the horse is uncomfortable rolling when people are near, give them their space, and let them know that you aren't a threat to them when they are in such a vulnerable position. Once they feel more comfortable rolling near people, I click and reward when they go down, and then reward a ton when they're laying down near me. 

Once they know that laying down is something that you want them to do, you can add a cue. For Lilo, I point to the ground and say "down". When they are laying down, give them the cue, and after a while of repeating those steps, they should be able to put the cue and the action together!

Me giving the cue for Lilo to lay down.

Learning to lay down :)

I hope you've enjoyed this weeks post!

My Goal

Have any of you ever seen 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron' ? Well it is definitely my favorite movie! There is something interesting that I have noticed as well. 

When Spirit gets taken away from his herd, and the army men try to 'break' him, they automatically become the 'bad guys' of the story that no one likes. Yes, it's just an animated movie, but it really does show exactly what horses go through when they're being trained or 'broken' in a harsh way. It totally makes sense, and then in the real world, breaking horses is completely fine? It's still the same pain, the same reaction and the same fear that the horse endures. 

This movie inspires me so much, because it truly shows the feeling of freedom and love with horses. You can feel the freedom that the horses feel when they're released, or if they're wild. And it's just so magical! That is the feeling that I strive for when I work with horses. I strive to set the horse free and give them that feeling. 

No matter what horsemanship you do, I'm sure you think that Spirit is a very magical movie. What is more magical than being free with a horse? Running with them, not controlling them or forcing them. Setting them free, not breaking their spirits. That is my exact goal when with horses. All I really have ever wanted to do is run with wild horses, ever since I can remember! I just can't seem to think of anything more magical than that. If we trust the horse, and they trust us, there is no need for bridles, spurs, whips, or halters even. Because if they want to be with us and they enjoy what they do, there is no limit to the possibilities.

The Beauty of the Horse

Have you ever truly watched a horse? Have you ever just stopped right where you are, looked at the astounding creature, and taken in all of his beauty and grace? You watch him as he moves, and you have never felt so completely liberated in your entire life. In everything he does, you see love, you see wisdom. With every motion, he is contributing to his beautiful dance. In all of my life, I have never met such a loving, forgiving, magnificent being. All that I have ever desired is to give horses every bit of love in my heart. To spark their soul with freedom. My goal in life is to go back to the dream that I had as a child, of only wanting to give horses love. No expectations, no force, no dominance. Just simply love. My goal is to become one with them, and to continue this beautiful journey that is Liberty Horsemanship.