The Power of Positive Reinforcement and Building a Relationship with Your Horse
Everyone enjoys watching a horse respond eagerly when called. I remember a video from a few years ago, where a Parelli student cracked a bull whip and his horses came running from across a large field, eagerly loading themselves into a trailer. I shared the clip on social media, and Ian Leighton, the Tasmanian horseman, commented, “Just fill the trailer with carrots and let them know.” The sound of the bull whip, in his words, simply signified that the reward was ready.
In reality, this is exactly how it works. There needs to be something in it for the horse to get that kind of enthusiastic response. I have two horses, and while one is more reliable in coming when called, both of them generally respond to a whistle. There are several factors at play in this response, one being that the younger horse is naturally more eager, and the older one, when turned out with her, doesn’t want to be left behind.
When the younger horse arrived as a two-year-old from British Columbia, she was underweight and had ulcers, requiring special care, grain, and medication. To establish a routine, I used to place the grain in her feed bowl on the ground but wouldn’t let her eat it until she heard a specific whistle from me. Now, by “block her” I don’t mean confining her in any way, as she always had a choice. Instead, I used a coiled rope on my leg to make a noise whenever she tried to go for the food before hearing the whistle. Sometimes, I’d tap her with the rope to create a sudden sound that startled her.
It didn’t take long for her to associate the whistle with permission to eat. Eventually, that connection extended beyond feeding time, and the whistle became a signal for me being ready to provide her with food. But, this isn’t the whole picture. The true reason my horses come when called is that they enjoy my presence. They love being groomed, worked, and engaged—horses thrive on both physical and mental stimulation. Since I never handle them harshly, they have no reason to fear me, and they willingly seek my attention.
Of course, there are times when they’d rather stay out on fresh grass than come back to the barn, but for the most part, they are compliant. One tip I’ve found helpful is to stop chasing or going out to catch your horse. Instead, learn how to draw them to you. It’s a subtle concept that can be easily overlooked because it’s so fundamental. If you’ve been around horses for any length of time, you’ve probably seen someone inadvertently chasing their horse around the turnout, or following them around in circles. Some horses quickly learn that if they run from you, they can stay with their buddies.
The key is to teach your horse to come to you for haltering. Just as in a round pen, where you use simple pressure and release techniques to guide them, you can apply this principle without a flag. When the horse looks at you, back away slightly to encourage them to approach you. When they do, reward them with enthusiastic rubs and scratches. Don’t force them to accept the halter—let them put it on themselves. When I bring the halter near, they drop their noses into it, ready for the next step.