Sep 11, 2024
In this episode, Stacy addresses a common issue in horse
training: anticipation. A listener from Denmark asks how to handle
a horse that performs learned exercises without waiting for cues.
Stacy explains that anticipation is initially a positive sign of
successful training, likening it to the first half of a rainbow
arc. However, as training progresses, excessive anticipation can
become problematic.
Stacy advises seeing this as a sign of clear leadership and
effective teaching, rather than a failure. She introduces the
concept of "teeter-totter" training, where the goal is to balance
the horse's eagerness for upward transitions (like cantering) with
an equal readiness for downward transitions. This approach aims to
create a responsive, thinking partner in the horse.
The key challenge is maintaining the horse's initiative while
teaching it to wait for cues. Stacy recommends being proactive,
redirecting the horse before it anticipates, and gradually refining
the horse's responsiveness over time.