Something's Gotta Get Better!: How Far How Fast How Little
© 2005-08, Josh Lyons & Keith Hosman - All Rights Reserved
The following example is appropriate for horses of any discipline. Let's say we have a reining horse - and we want to make his spin better. We have a recipe to improve his performance and there are three ingredients in this recipe. They are "further," "faster," and "less."
To begin, I don't worry about anything except "further." I do whatever it takes to make something go further. (In this case, the spin "action.") So I look at his front feet and I see that the step they take covers a distance of, let's say, two feet. I make it my goal to go further, maybe to two and a half feet. I'll then spin my horse; I'll kiss or kick with both legs or do whatever it takes to make that step bigger - and that's all I'll concentrate on. I'll only work on that for about thirty seconds, just till that one step is "further." (Maybe it sweeps and covers three feet.)
The next part is "faster." So now I keep the "further" - and I make it "faster." As soon as he gets faster, that is, as soon as he covers that same three feet in less time, I quit. Again, I do whatever it takes to make it faster - and for only about thirty seconds. Pretty soon, the step is further and it's faster. Then, the last thing in the recipe is "less." That means that I want to do what I've been doing - but with less pressure. So I ride and I ask him to spin. If he doesn't do it ("further and faster" as he's been doing) then I'll pick up the reins and get after him till I get that quality of movement. Then I'll go back to asking with less pressure. As soon as he does, I quit.
That's the recipe to use. Ask for further, faster and with less. Now, we don't ask for this all the time; it's too much for the horse and you're not doing much for "correctness." Remember, it's always more important to make everything correct than it is to do something fast. I'd much rather stop correctly in three feet rather than stop in ten feet incorrectly. So most often, when I train, I want to work on keeping everything correct as far as how he carries himself (position of his rib cage, head, feet, etc.), what he's thinking and so on. Better, I want to work on making things "more correct." "Further, faster, less" is for once in awhile when we need increased performance in a short period of time or when we want to change things up and approach our training from a different angle.
This article is part of the "How to Train a Horse" series. To read more, or to find a clinic or Certified John Lyons horse trainer near you, visit horsemanship101.com.
About the authors:
Josh Lyons: One of the most sought-after clinicians in the world, Josh Lyons offers you and your horse a second chance or an enhancement of your existing relationship. His gentle and objective methods, pioneered by his father John Lyons, have helped novice rider and pro alike. Josh continues the "Lyons Legacy," teaching the John Lyons Certification Program in Parachute, CO and touring often. He is a frequent contributor to national publications like "Perfect Horse" and "Horse & Rider." Find out more about Josh Lyons at LyonsLegacy.com.
Keith Hosman: If your horse won't speed up, slow down, stop or turn, you missed the latest training methods from Josh and John Lyons. Have you lost your confidence? Want a horse to brag about? Invest one weekend to make big changes with John Lyons Certified Trainer Keith Hosman. Keith is based near San Antonio, TX and is available for clinics, private sessions and training. He frequently conducts clinics and demonstrations - with an event coming soon to a town near you. For more horse training articles, or to attend a clinic or find a John Lyons trainer living in your area, visit horsemanship101.com now.
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