Horse Whisperer Tik Maynard Reveals Secrets to Calming Horses
Horse behavior expert and upper-level event rider Tik Maynard shares insights on understanding and promoting relaxation in horses. He uses a scale of 1-10 to measure tension levels, with 1 being calm and 10 being 'flight' mindset.
Maynard identifies signs of tension, such as tight muscles, fixed gaze, and showing the whites of their eyes. Conversely, relaxed horses exhibit casual ear movement, soft eye blinking, and licking/chewing. Horses communicate their state through body language.
To enhance relaxation, use gentle touch like the Tellington TTouch method. Make the environment quieter, slower, and steadier, and move away from the horse to make it comfortable. Above a 3 on the relaxation scale, horses are not in a learning mindset.
Maynard's Masterclass offers comprehensive knowledge on horse behavior and training. Access his videos and workbooks to learn more about promoting relaxation and understanding horse communication.
