SEPTEMBER 12 CLINIC: Passive vs. Active Training Techniques

PASSIVE: Riki with the ball hanging in the stall teaches the horse to accept being touched by the ball randomly and desensitizing the horse from panic. This is an example of passive training because the horse does not associate the ball with the trainer and yet learns a very important lesson of accepting movement around him without panicking.

ACTIVE: Active training can be demonstrated by the image of Regal with the whip, he learns that the whip is an extention of the trainers arm and is faster than him so he quickly learns to conserve his energy and stand still whilethe whip moves to either side and above him. This is an important excersise for a horse prior to mounting because he learns to accept movement above his head and to both sides which is where the rider will be.

Riki Ball
Regal desensitized