Working with a clients horse, I was reminded of the "Attention vs Intention" paradox that I first heard about from a Karen Rohlf podcast (I've attached to the bottom of the blog).
We were running into the challenge where every time the rider picked up the reins, the horse would speed up, trot, or canter in anxious anticipation without listening for directions.
This particularly smart horse knew the picking up the reins begets something (trotting, cantering, jumping, etc.) and he would anticipate but not be connected and listening.
Where do we start?
Let's start with some definitions:
Attention: notice taken of someone or something.
Intention: a thing intended; an aim or plan.
For our situation, we need to emphasis the difference between the attention on the reins (picking them up, shortening, etc.) and the intention (communication through the reins).
How did we fix this?
We broke the process down starting at the halt. Can we pick up the reins without movement. In the beginning? He'd start walking off. Anytime he offered a "+1" (any behavior or action in the direction of the desired result) we'd drop the reins and praise. Eventually, he started getting the picture. We'd halt, pick up the reins, drop the reins, pick up the reins, drop the reins, and nothing changed.
Then we progressed at the walk with the same pattern and then trot. If we could pick up the reins and the intended gait/energy didn't change then we'd drop them and praise.
So were does the intention come from?
The horse confused out attention on the reins with the intention of what happens next. This horse needed to know that our intentions come from our seat, energy and feel. I should also add it's possible the rider was lacking clarity with using these aids to communicate our intention.
We are starting to re-clarify the difference between our attention of the reins, and our intention what comes next (coming from our seat and aids).
Who can relate?
I can think of many situations where attention is different from intention. Take picking a horses hoof up versus cleaning their fetlock. Both involve our attention and touch on the fetlock but the intention is different in the touch. The horse could be picking his hoof up when you are just intending to clean his fetlock, or you could be intending to pick his hoof up and he mistakes that for just cleaning his legs. See what I mean?
What about the whip? Many horses are nervous of the whip that we carry and it's movement because they do not understand when it the movement holds intention.
Can you think of a situation with your own horse where there are mix signals between your attention and your intention?
Consider breaking these down in your head and identify if the mix up is on the attention or the intention. This will help you clarify for you and your horse so you both can find harmony in the attention and the intention.
I hope this is helpful for your partnership journey!
Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6W3UPva0O1cvDrjRocRbRn?si=8331ccb45f9e44a5
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