Does Consistency Really Matter?

Do you know why consistency is so important in training?

Have you ever noticed…

That your horse will walk the same path out to pasture?

They know exactly when feeding time is without a clock?

They choose their favorite herd mate and stick with them?

Horses are creatures of habit. They thrive on a routine and consistency because it gives them security. As prey animals, they are naturally more anxious and aware of even the slightest changes in their environment. This is what keeps them alive in the wild. Despite being domesticated, these instinctual behaviors remain. As a result, inconsistencies oftentimes will cause them added stress and can create unwanted behavioral changes.

Unfortunately, people are NOT always consistent. Life and responsibilities can get in the way of our barn time. This also applies to our training techniques. For instance, when asking for canter, the outside leg moves back slightly. But what is “slightly”? Is it one inch? Two? Six? For most people, it changes each time they ask. And then we wonder why our horses don’t respond appropriately.

Consistency is key to understanding and good communication with your horse. Do a little experiment, try riding at the same time each day for two weeks? At the end of that time, do you notice that your horse is more attentive and willing than when you began? Has your horse learned to look forward to your work or come to expect it?

In our Dressage Training Foundations Course, we talk about how horses learn so that we can better understand how to achieve results in a timely manner. Developing consistency in our work and creating a routine helps to set the expectation and create the outcomes that we want. When your horse knows what to expect, he is more willing to comply and feels more secure in your relationship. This will help to create a more willing partner.