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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Oct 2007 : 12:41:38 PM
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True Alison, that's one we always practise on the lunge from the start - singsong downwards; they catch on SO fast. I'm always amazed at how much and how quickly horses learn.
Rosy I tell Lance how beautiful he is every time I go up to the field, because he still takes my breath away every time I see him. That's just me being appreciative and grateful and I'm quite sure that is only a good thing!
Sue, my friend Jennie does Trec (for GB - see the last AHS News) on a gorgeous chestnut mare called Samiracle who was hand reared at the stud where I did some work for a few years. Miracle used to think she was human and never really got used to horses. She still prefers to be riding out alone with Jennie and Jennie believes it's part of the reason they are so successful at their sport. |
Roseanne |
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x_Kath_x
Bronze Member
England
164 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2007 : 1:48:41 PM
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I always talk to my boys, both for training and for general chatter  Though I did get disapproval from a "natural horsemanship" person for the fact that my boys react to voice commands rather than signals... I always thought voice was a natural aid 
My Arab took to my OH so well simply because he always talked to him a lot... about anything at all... much to the amusement of the rest of the livery yard we were at! |
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2007 : 5:12:03 PM
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X-Kath: I'm amazed that natural horsemanship can sometimes disapprove of the voice... how can body language help when you're on their backs and you want to let them know about something?! Or if it's something like 'STAND STILL!!!!' shrieked from a distance when they've decided to get themselves tangled up in something? I mean, what's the body language for a very urgent 'don't move!'
Since I read this thread I've been trying to 'notice' how much I do talk to horses, and it's a lot more than I thought... pretty much a running commentary! And I say 'gimme a cuddle' a lot too...
Roseanne: it's lovely that Lance still takes your breath away every time you see him. Mmmm, that's what they're all about, isn't it!
Grey Girl |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
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KittyB
Silver Member
United Kingdom
295 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2007 : 5:49:05 PM
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| I'm always chatting to mine, come on lad, slow down lass, stop messing about on here (steep hill), a kissing sound usually signals up a gear and whooaaa down a gear. They talk to me, though her more than him. She calls to me from the field, and a lovely low nicker in the morning. He nearly deafens me with a horrendously loud whinny first thing which echoes all round the barn and sets the chickens off. They also help me to deal with dilemmas - my old mum, in her wisdom (and well before Little Britain I might add), told me to go and ask the horses when I was in a dilemma about something. And, do you know what? They always tell me the right answer ... |
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Kash
Platinum Member
England
3777 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 09:29:12 AM
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I take my mare for (inhand) walks around the woods and continually chat to her, about pretty much anything
One of the first walks we took together, I got a bit lost and the only way I knew was in the direction of home meant crossing a bridge over a stream. We stood there for a while and I explained to Agonia what we would have to do - she ended up crossed it without a glance . After we'd crossed, I returned to the 'conversation' I'd been having with her before, when there was a branch snap behind us and I turned round to see a jogger who must have been behind us the whole time. He gave me the most peculiar look, gave us a very wide berth as he went around continually staring at me like I was mad and then jogged off shaking his head!  |
      
Photographs by Emma Maxwell and Peter Grant |
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Eeyore
Gold Member
1181 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 12:06:40 PM
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I talk to my pair all of the time. Because Marim is foreign he is having to learn English so he also likes hand signals from me to avoid confusion. He is quickly picking up words though and knows 'careful' means look where you are putting your feet.
He loves being called 'handsome' and prefers that to his name
I'm a soppy fool too and every night I tell them I love them lots and tell them to look after each other until I see them again in the morning. |
Heléna
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Dazzler
Silver Member
United Kingdom
290 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 12:10:11 PM
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| Just to say how funny the thread is as in the beginning everyone was waiting to see who would confess to this, now at least we all know were not alone |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 12:14:54 PM
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Kath, I completely understand where you are coming from with NH voice disapproval. I am also going through this battle too. I have been told that I talk too much and that I am confusing my horse 
NH has been such a wonderful journey but I have chosen to ignore their "no talking" rule  If it takes me longer, then so be it. I just can't stop taking to them.... |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 12:15:50 PM
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| I've noticed people tend to talk more to their horses on the way BACK from the pub ride!! |
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nikki
Platinum Member
Wales
4384 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 12:20:27 PM
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lol i can just picture that Lauren
I always talk to mine, and i know they listen, and must to some extent understand me.
The conversations me and malika had, and she spoke back at me( i wish i knew what her neighs ment), when she was in serious thinking, her bottom lip would go up and down.
When we rescued her back-and i was sobbing uncontrollably, Malika could hear me and was calling to me(bear in mind we'd been seperated for about a year)-Jane at Oakways helped me get her back, and said to go and see her and talk to her-Jane could see on the cctv that Malika was listening to me and trying to reach to get to me!
Poor girl, must of been soo pleased to see me and knew i'd look after her.
My farrier always laughs at me and says i have such a way with words, and the different tones i use with them, it must work though, as i get complemented on how good they are.
Sometimes i don't talk at all, and we just saviour the peace and quiet. |
pagey |
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Geena
Platinum Member
England
1510 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 1:15:06 PM
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I bet my boy would be a really good cook if he was human........when he gets nervous to stop me sending nervous vibes I recite recipes!!!
I always chatter to my horses and always will. I bet my poor boy would quite willingly cut his own ears off if he could!! |
  
Zebedee |
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KIRSTI
Junior Member
42 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 1:31:48 PM
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i talk to Harry all of the time, riding and on the ground,i can tell his response by his ears or the look on his face, usually he can be twice as sarcastic as me, i seem to say 'i told you so' alot when he has slipped in the mud because he wasn't listeneing but he's a bloke and do they ever listen !
he is very loving tho when i need a shoulder to cry on and always seems to say the right thing back to make me feel better.
my family and friends think i'm mad but what do they know, i get more sense from the horse ! |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 8:27:41 PM
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| Surprisingly YES I do talk to Honey...constantly! When we rode out alone I always nattered to her, found it helped to distract us both in iffy situations! She responds better to voice commands from the floor too..like 'move over' & 'stand''wait' and the infamous'pack it in yer ginger nutter' Quite comical at the moment tho as I'm looking after the big pally dude, Honey has to wait a while longer to come in for tea. She still strolls over as my car pulls up then hollers at me every time she gets a glimpse of me "BRING ME IN NOW!" Madam makes it known she doesn't like waiting! |
      
Claire & Sunny x
http://sunnyandclaire.blogspot.com/ |
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lisa rachel
Gold Member
Wales
831 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 8:48:21 PM
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I talk with my horses all the time too ...surely we all do?
Having said that I have had the same comments from NH purists and also find extremely strange that the voice cannot be used in competitive dressage ( except CRC tests)surely its the ultimate invisible aid?
Lisa |
lisa |
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leezee26
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 9:26:39 PM
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| My word, ALL of mine are so voice responsive..And in fact I make a point of using my voice with all horses that come in for backing or schooling. I waffle on to mine all the time and there have been times when I have taken one of mine out and something (Usually a load of deer rustling in the forest!) has petrified them, and I will be honest it is my voice that gets them through it, ok not being tense with your seat makes a big difference too. Im sorry but I just cant agree with not using your voice as thats the first thing your horse hears when you first come into view first thing in the morning, isnt it?? So surely its the natural way of dealing with horses generally. Leighx |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 11:11:44 PM
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| Thank you all for replying to my original post & to hear that talking to our horses in the norm & we are not ODD for doing it.........we all do it |
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Gail
Gold Member
993 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2007 : 10:51:23 AM
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I talk to my horses all the time people are always amazed that they understand what I am saying and very often talk back to me.
My little foal arrived last week and I talk to him all the time too and he is very voice responsive.
I practice Intelligent Horsemanship and have never been advised to refrain from talking to my horses.
Gail x |
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Deboniks
Platinum Member
England
3776 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2007 : 8:30:23 PM
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A horses language is body launguage.I think if you talk too much when training a horse it can interfer with your body language.Once the horse is clear with an instruction I sometimes add a voice cue.Using our voice is a good way to calm ourselves which in turn calms the horse.Some examples,My horses will back up from the stable door to let me in when I say 'back' but I had to teach them with body language first.Lift a foot if i say foot ect but when I taught them I never stood still stif as a board with my hands in my pockets chatting about itI used body language. I sometimes have a little natter when were out, they don't understand my words but I'm sure they feel my emotions I think talking too much at the wrong time confuses a horse or more to the fact restricts your own body language. We as humans have our own ways of showing affection and there is nothing better than to whisper 'I love you' into the ear of a horse resting it's head in your armsand when the sigh at that time you know they love you toI doubt there is one person who doesn't talk to there horse and how you talk affects your body. |
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Cassie
Gold Member
England
781 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2007 : 8:38:30 PM
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I talk to mine I say oh look at that as well as the normal things like trot walk canter
Christine |
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Emma B
Silver Member
United Kingdom
412 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2007 : 4:54:49 PM
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| I talk to mine all the time - when free schooling he will change the rein just by me asking i am always telling him how lovely he is and to step up or step down. He can do everything by voice command and listens to me continually - and when i call out to him in the field he comes cantering over all merrily - i think it is so important - when i used to walk him in hand and he was scared I would sing to him and it really soothed him (probably no one else but it did calm him down). |
     
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anne
Gold Member
England
877 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 09:32:55 AM
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I thought everyone talked to their horses
I have full conversations with mine 
On a serious side the voice is a very important aid wether you are using your voice to carm them, give them commands like back at gates, steady, or in my case telling them hup before a jump. I could not imagine not talking to them
It would be like have time with a good friend and not speaking to them very rude
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krab
New Member
England
29 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2007 : 12:04:25 PM
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| i find that the use of the voice in our day to day relationship with our horses is vital, after all whenever we are with our horses even leading in and out to the field we are teaching them something ,even if sometimes it is the wrong thing!! verbal commands such as stand and wait as a previous writer said are incredibly usefull an may even prove lifesaving in some situations, NH can sometimes be very dogmatic in approach this does depend on the individual/methodology you are using and as a trainer myself i feel that they sometimes need to look outside of their boxes as they can become very blind to what the horess are telling them, i feel that i learn something new everyday from all the horses that i work with other peoples and my own, not to be open to changing and developing your methods is to be very dangerous and arrogant , all horses like us are individuals with different characters and life experiences which colours their view of the world so not to be adaptable to their needs is being close minded. the lack of use of the voice in many riders stems from dressage competition where it is deemed to be cheating however with this having a military association originally we have to look at where the lack of use of the voice really comes from,BATTLE you really wouldn't want to be announcing your arrival whist sneaking up on your enemy now would you !! however the war crY when going into battle was to raise the adrenalin of both horse and rider so the voice was used there too. I say not to use your voice is to miss out on what is a vital and most essential aid any one who has ever sat on a horse which need reassurence will realise this and NH PRACTIONERS who demeen the use of the voice are blinkered , take what is usefull to you and your horse from the many different methods of training out there as long as they do not cause discomfort or pain , look through the showmanship and dont be intimidated , go with your instincts for they are usually right and have fun after all isn't that what sharing our lives with our horses is all about. |
www.equstar.co.uk |
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gcarrie9
Bronze Member
England
103 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2007 : 12:37:11 PM
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| I caught myself singing once bringing him in from the field. From the absolute horror in his eyes and his ears pinned back as far as they could go I guessed I wasn't all that tuneful. He doesn't mind how much I talk to him now, as long as I dont sing! |
Carrie |
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marionpack
Gold Member
England
1073 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2007 : 1:34:02 PM
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| I've just move yards with my yearling (10 miles in trailer) and talked to her all the way telling her about the horrid cars/lorries speeding up behind us, trees hitting the trailer, but it did calm her as it was the first time in a trailer for 10 months and she was as good as gold |
Berkshire
   
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