Ryder Draw
Morgan is "drawn" onto the platform at liberty.
What it is not: It is NOT the same as "join up", "hooking on", etc., which
is the result of a horse running until they "surrender".
What it is: The horse responding with a "yes" to your invitation to visit.
Why would we "invite" the horse to visit with us instead of the traditional
chase-them-around-the-round-pen-until-they-throw-up-a-white-flag method?
Lots of reasons:
1) Though the end result may look the same, the road traveled to get there
couldn't be more different. Instead of pressuring, forcing, & chasing the
horse until they "submit", we establish a relationship based on mutual
respect. We hear about the horse respecting us - how about US respecting
THEM, by not scaring & chasing them. Horses are food for other animals -
their instinct says flee from what is fearful. Why would we want them to
feel as is they have to flee from US?
2) A major goal should be that the horse is as calm as possible, so their
mind & body is relaxed. Horse & human learn better if a feeling of safety,
calmness, alertness, and interest are involved.
3) By rewarding the horse for responding to the draw, it increases his
motivation for responding to us further when we attempt further
communication.
When would we want to Do the Draw?
1) When first establishing contact with an unfamiliar horse; it sets up the
relationship for further contact, with you as the leader
2) As a means of developing a "come here" cue
Why would we want to Do the Draw?
It's a wonderful "First Contact", if you will. This simple act of
communication has extensive benefits:
1) By accepting our invitation to get physically close, the horse had to
make the decision to trust us.
2) By being rewarded (ooh! something good to eat!), the horse has it
confirmed that it was a really smart decision on his part that he trusted us.
The sound of the clicker may be new to him at this point, and as the process
is repeated, it will be the link that tells him he's on the right track.
3) By repeating the draw, the horse decides to follow us, assigning us some
power and status over him. Note that HE CHOSE this on his own - it was not
forced on him.
How it's done:
Synopsis: By approaching a horse who is at liberty, stopping at a comfortable
(for the horse) distance, standing at an angle off the back hip*, which in
turn triggers a curiosity response in the horse they can't seem to resist.
Whether grazing or whatever, they seem magically, magnetically drawn to you.
When they've made the move to come to you, CT.
* The Back Hip: For some reason, standing at a certain angle to the rear of
the horse's hip seems to trigger an irresistable response. Why? Do they
feel pressured? Hmmm...how about something to do with their eyesight. At
this angle, you are approaching the boundaries of one of their "blind zones".
Perhaps their curiosity is triggered, and the aspect of losing sight of you
might appeal to their sense of investigation, esp. since you appear
non-threatening. It works nearly every time, with every horse, whether
you've met them before or not.
Step-by-Step:
1) The horse should be at liberty, and aware of your presence
2) Calmly take position at a rearward angle off of the hip - the 5 o'clock
position is about right. Distance should be 20-30 feet. - further if
necessary, but not so close as to pressure the horse into moving off.
3) Get the horse's attention - kiss to it, say it's name softly, crouch
slightly, but nothing to startle him. If more is needed, try inching your
way towards the tail, maintaining your distance. If he starts to move away
from you, the pressure was too much. The goal here is to be,
well...alluring.
Sometimes just your presence in this area triggers to horse to come to
you.
4) Look for the smallest motion that shows the horse is giving you his
attention - his eye following you, the ear fixed on you. C/T that
attention. Next we want the horse's head to come up and around, looking at
you with both eyes. C/T The feet will come next. Click, and treat when he
gets to you.
Voila` -your horse has been "drawn"!
Now that the horse has found you to be of extreme interest, continue the
process, clicking & treating as they follow you. It is not uncommon that the
horse will follow you after only a few "draws".
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