Today I’m gonna talk about how I trained my horse, Vahva. It was a wild ride, let me tell you!
First off, I started by getting to know Vahva. See, every horse is different, just like people. You gotta understand what makes ’em tick. Vahva, he was a spirited one, full of energy but also a bit skittish. So, I spent a lot of time just being around him, letting him get used to me. No pressure, just chillin’ together.
- Approaching him slowly, talking in a calm voice, the whole nine yards.
- Getting him used to my scent, my touch.
- Building that basic trust, you know?
Next up, I began with some simple groundwork. Nothing fancy, just leading him around, getting him to follow me, stop when I stop, that kind of stuff. It’s all about communication, showing him what I wanted without being a jerk about it. Sometimes he’d get it right away, other times, not so much. Patience is key here, folks. You can’t rush these things.
Once we had the basics down, I started introducing some cues, both verbal and physical. Like, I’d say “walk” and gently tug the lead rope, or I’d use my body language to signal him to turn. And when he did what I asked, oh boy, did he get a treat! Apples, carrots, sugar cubes – you name it. Positive reinforcement, baby! It’s all about rewarding the good behavior.
Now, I ain’t gonna lie, there were times when Vahva tested my patience. He’d act out, be stubborn, you know, typical horse stuff. That’s when I had to use a bit of negative reinforcement. Not hitting or yelling, mind you. Just taking away the good stuff, ignoring him for a bit, showing him that bad behavior doesn’t get him what he wants. It’s a delicate balance, but you gotta show ’em who’s boss.
We kept at it, day in and day out. Some days were good, some were tough. But slowly but surely, Vahva started to get it. He learned to respond to my cues, to trust me, to work with me. It was like we were dancing, a real partnership.
And you know what? All that hard work paid off. Vahva became a whole new horse. Calm, responsive, a joy to ride. We could go anywhere, do anything. It was amazing to see the transformation.
So, that’s my story of training Vahva. It wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely worth it. If you’re thinking about training a horse, just remember: patience, consistency, and a whole lot of love. That’s the recipe for success.
