We've all heard the expression "end on a good note", but what does this mean exactly?
Hopefully it means that you finish your learning session with your horse when both of you are in good frames of mind and confident in each other that there has been a change for the better. It doesn't matter where you start out, but rather where you finish off that's important!
Keep in mind that some learning sessions may take time to see through, so be sure that you have a sufficient amount of time to spend before you start.
For example, if I have decided to teach my horse to trailer load, I will make sure that I have a few hours to spend if need be. When I am starting out with an open mind that I have "all the time in the world" so to speak, this will also speak volumes to my horse whether I even realize it or not! When I can be slow and methodical and allow my horse as much time as they need to figure out what I am asking of them, learning sessions always go so much smoother and typically don't take nearly as long as I have allowed for.
My objective any time I'm working with the horse is to end my time with them when both of us are in a good frame of mind and feeling positive with each other. Knowing that there is always room for improvement, but that it doesn't all have to be accomplished in one day or session.
Ending on a good note should mean that you didn't do just enough to get your horse worried or troubled, but rather that they have shown some sort of acceptance or improvement before you stop working with them.
The work ethic you put in to ensure a successful day with your horse will be rewarded many times over in the long run when you allow yourself and them the time to be comfortable and confident. Possibly you won't accomplish everything you set out to do that day, but it should be more about the journey than the lesson itself.
We don't expect our children to come home from school their first day knowing everything there is to know, the same can be said for our horses!
Happy Trails! - Dawn
Hopefully it means that you finish your learning session with your horse when both of you are in good frames of mind and confident in each other that there has been a change for the better. It doesn't matter where you start out, but rather where you finish off that's important!
Keep in mind that some learning sessions may take time to see through, so be sure that you have a sufficient amount of time to spend before you start.
For example, if I have decided to teach my horse to trailer load, I will make sure that I have a few hours to spend if need be. When I am starting out with an open mind that I have "all the time in the world" so to speak, this will also speak volumes to my horse whether I even realize it or not! When I can be slow and methodical and allow my horse as much time as they need to figure out what I am asking of them, learning sessions always go so much smoother and typically don't take nearly as long as I have allowed for.
My objective any time I'm working with the horse is to end my time with them when both of us are in a good frame of mind and feeling positive with each other. Knowing that there is always room for improvement, but that it doesn't all have to be accomplished in one day or session.
Ending on a good note should mean that you didn't do just enough to get your horse worried or troubled, but rather that they have shown some sort of acceptance or improvement before you stop working with them.
The work ethic you put in to ensure a successful day with your horse will be rewarded many times over in the long run when you allow yourself and them the time to be comfortable and confident. Possibly you won't accomplish everything you set out to do that day, but it should be more about the journey than the lesson itself.
We don't expect our children to come home from school their first day knowing everything there is to know, the same can be said for our horses!
Happy Trails! - Dawn
