| Teaching Horse Sense By Leann Hanson McKenzie County Farmer Staff Writer |
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| Trust and respect are two key factors stressed by John Hovde of Epping during his horsemanship clinic for McKenzie County. " Trust is a two way street," commented Hovde. " From trust develops respect and friendship between the horse and rider." Hovde began training horses with his father when he was about 5 years old. He learned early on the importance of learning to communicate with the horse and earning its trust and respect. Horses are animals that aim to please if asked in the right way. If not, a horse will use a defense mechanism which will cause difficulties between horse and rider. " People normally blame the horse when there is a problem," continued Hovde. " But 90% of problems occur because the horse doesn't understand what is being asked of it. It's handler is giving the horse mixed messages." During the clinic when a horse displayed a problem, Hovde would take the opportunity to work with the horse and explain how to correct the problem. " Eighty -five percent of training difficulties have been caused by pain." continued Hovde. " The biggest mistake comes when a handler hurts or scares the horse." According to Hovde, once a horse learns his handler is not going to hurt him, trust begins to develop. With trust, confidence grows with the horse and rider. " When riding ,it is important to ride the whole horse," instructed Hovde. " Develop a feel for the horse. Let the horse's feet become your feet . The rider and horse learn to respond to each other and work together." Hovde has been working with 4-H members for the last 17 years. Those members who take it seriously and practice the steps he teaches have made progress through the years. " It takes a lot of concentration and work. continued Hovde. " I enjoy it when I see things coming together for horse and rider." " It has been great to work with John Hovde," commented Chauncie Auen, daughter of Toni and Randie Auen. " Respect was stressed throughout the two-day clinic." Auen, along with Amy Jore, the daughter of Ron and Nina Jore, learned the importance of working on a horse's neck flexibility and to move the forse forward and backwards. " I learned how to communicate with my horse," added Jore. " It was very fun and worthwhile." According to Chase Wisness, the son of Milo and Julie Wisness, everything Hovde said made sense. " I learned the finer points in halter and how to change leads better." " I enjoy working with kids and find it rewarding," commented Hovde. " if they get started the right way, riding horse becomes a lifetime of fun. All it takes is one bad experience; a child will lose interest and maybe do something that is not so good." " There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.",concluded Hovde. " It is menatlly relaxing to watch and work with a horse." |
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