One of the best things about horses is the limitless variety of things you can do together. Even the most mundane activities become fresh and interesting if your horse joins you in the process. Not only that, but the more diverse tasks you undertake with your horse, the more opportunities you have to establish control and cooperation in all sorts of situations.
For example, take the simple task of getting the mail. It doesn't sound that complicated or taxing. Just ride down to the road, grab a handful of bills and catalogs, and head back home, enjoying the scenery along the way.
Except: Will your horse calmly approach that oddly shaped object on a pole next to the road? Can he pay attention to your request to go forward toward the mailbox even though he's never been close to one? And what about when you open it or-possibly even more frightening-reach inside it and bring out a fluttering handful of mail?
Even though the task itself is basic, it presents several challenges that require you to establish or reinforce good control over your horse. In fact, it doesn't matter whether you're introducing him to a scary mailbox or riding over to reach out for a friend's cell phone or asking him to walk across a puddle.
The issue isn't the object you're facing or even the task at hand. The issue is determining what cues you need to use to get your horse to do what's required in the situation-and giving him enough practice so that he will respond even when he's distracted. To see what we mean, let's look at some training basics and then see them in action when John decided to ride Preacher out to get the mail.
