W
hen Pat Parelli says, "Pressure motivates, but
the release teaches," he makes it sound so
simple, and teaching and training horses really
is quite simple, because it involves not much more
than the appropriate application of pressure and the
exquisite timing of the release. But those adjectives,
`appropriate' and `exquisite,' are where the real
challenges lie, because these are the very things that
make the difference between a horse having trouble,
responding obediently, or responding with enthusiasm.
AppRopRiATe ApplicATion of pReSSURe
There are three ways to put pressure on a horse -
mentally, emotionally and physically. The word
`pressure' can sometimes be badly misinterpreted, but
all it really means is the process of pressing steadily,
or a force that pushes or urges, so the idea is learning to
use a little pressure to urge a horse to do something in
response. How that pressure is applied, however, is key.
There are three ways to put
pressure on a horse: mentally,
emotionally and physically.
Appropriate means suitable, right, apt, correct, and
proper. If the application of pressure is appropriate,
the pressure comes on very slowly and smoothly,
progressing to the point at which it becomes effective
and motivates the horse to try something; it is applied
with focus, care and intention for a specific outcome;
and it is applied with love, language and leadership.