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Tim’s Thoughts

The original Nature of Natural was written to show that there are universal principles involved in behaviors and the training thereof. In short, those principles involved Learning. All things learn, from slime molds to human beings. That learning along with the innate framework to navigate the environment safely is what forms the mind. The mind or network of experiences that can direct a species to behaviors that solve problems of all sorts. The mind creates motivation and motivation results in behaviors. As one of our mentors and selected masters, Tom Dorrance said, get the mind and the feet will follow. Understanding this biological process can be important as to what actions a trainer may or may not take at any given time. As Tom would have said, “You need to be able to see the whole picture and where you fit in”. We hope to help people with that! understanding and for lack of a better term, connect the dots.
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In attempting to do so, we will use the maxims and aphorisms of some selected masters, and try to show that the principles of mind to behavior are not species specific, but rather universal. Of course, understanding the species is important as nature did not give them all the same natural tendencies especially between prey and predators. However, in all cases the mind and understanding what motivates that individual in that circumstance is one of the keys to being a good and ethical trainer. Although what we write and show may be true and helpful it still takes experience with each species and individuals to read their emotional states and the motivations in those specific circumstances.

Previously we mentioned the motivation that comes from the mind. Before that motivation is decided upon the feelings that the environmental input received from the senses generate an emotion. And as the word points out, there is motion in emotion. That motion is some behavior. The trainer needs to be able to read that in the individual so that he can create a state of mind that produces a try towards solving the problem at hand. Tom argued that he wanted to work the horse from the inside. Presumably from that emotional place the individual is in at that time. if there is no experience or too much fear is involved the individual will revert to his natural defaults, flight, fight, or freeze. When there is no clear way to solve the problem either from learning and past experience then one of those defaults is on the table and none of them is to be considered a desirable outcome.

Needless to say, a trainer has to be able to read the animal’s body language, postures and expressions to have some idea of where that individual is in his emotional state, either of understanding and working on some cognitive/thinking solution or is drifting toward or actually in one of those undesirable default mental states. If the trainer determines that the latter is the case then it is important to not continue the lesson until he can get the trainee back into a cognitive state, or what Tom might have called, “A learning frame of mind”. When this is achieved then training can resume in steps that the individual understands and has success as it goes thru a series of trail and error tries towards a solution.

Probably the most important key to establishing and keeping that learning frame of mind is to establish trust with the trainee. Depending on the past experiences of that individual it may be easy and already there or take some time if those past experiences with people were negative fear producing and confusing. In either case trust is of utmost importance. When you have it, then the trainee is more likely to stay in the learning mind, longer and exhibit more tries toward the desired behavior. In addition, when that happens, levels of trust increase, and the individual feeling safe is willing to go along with some aspects of training that may have caused anxiety in the past. Get the trust first and build on it every day. In one of our presentations we will show how the use of combined reinforcement will help build trust in particular as it relates to how to deal with pressure.

We will examine some of the master’s methods on how to enhance and or create trust but for now let’s look at a brief overview. All animals and for our purpose’s mammals, read body language. They are most attuned to your body language and what they perceive you may be going to do. In that analysis they are then formulating a plan as to how to react. For those unfamiliar with how nuanced their ability to read body language is, please see the attached story of Clever Hans. This now is part of behavioral science and is known as the Clever Hans effect. That reading of body language goes both ways, for the trainee and the trainer, as previously mentioned. Let’s look at some ways that a trainer can use to communicate with the animal to determine where it is emotionally and decide how to proceed from that evaluation. All of the methods that I am going to list have been outlined by one or all of the masters we have chosen to relate these principles.

Tom argued and rightfully so, that all the animal had to know what to do is the approach. That approach can take many forms and in it we assume your body language as you approach is neutral to friendly and not appearing predatory. And it must be simple, no waving, hollering, or other gestures that the trainee can’t interpret and if so, cause conflict and default solutions. The speed of the approach is important, along with the angle, and the general position of the beginning of it. As one approaches and reads the body language of the trainee he may choose to pause, give the trainee time to think, and to then resume or even change what he was previously doing. As you can see, to be good at this, one needs to gain some experience. It is not something that you will learn on the internet. To elaborate on this and more detailed concepts we have selected Tom Dorrance, John Saint Ryan, Andrew McLean and Charles De Kunffy to be in our master’s hall of fame and will explore what they have to say specifically on this subject.

Tom Dorrance and Tim McGaffic “In the Day”

Tom Dorrance by Tim McGaffic

My friend John St. Ryan, asked me to write a bit about Tom. I suppose John did so because I’m forever using one of Tom’s aphorisms when we speak of horses, which is often. Tom was a keen observer and as such came up with the advice that one should “Observe, Remember and Compare” when working with horses and probably most everything. I can honestly say the first time I met and saw Tom work I had no clue as to these concepts or at least at the depths at which Tom was speaking.
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I’m not too sure of the year but it was probably about 1990 or 91 when I first met Tom. He was asked to look at a gal’s horse that was hard to shoe in the hind feet. Of course, Tom approached the horse in his way that adhered to his own advice that the horse has only the approach to know your intentions. I’m not so sure those were his exact words. Of course, I missed all of this and was just waiting for the action to begin. But guess what, there was no action. Tom walked up and started touching the horse, and eventually picked up a hind foot, held it and moved it all around. After a little more work, he said let’s go shoe him, and they did. I wasn’t sure what to think and I wasn’t “observing” the horse carefully or what Tom was doing but man did he made it look so easy. I thought why can’t we all do that? When asked about that one time, Tom said, well I guess it’s not in their nature. I was hoping it was in mine but still didn’t know how much I was missing. The old saying “you don’t know what you don’t know” is more profound than one might imagine. I started reading all I could about Tom and Ray and what they had to say. However, I didn’t get to see Tom again for some time, maybe a year or so.

The next time I was at my friend Marty Martin’s. Tom came over to visit and work a horse Marty had purchased from Ray. She, the mare, had dumped Marty a few times and he wanted Tom to have a look and see what advice he may have. As Tom worked the horse in the round pen, Marty and I watched. Tom would say, see that, see that etc. And yes, as you guessed I didn’t see it, at least not at first. Finally, I said to Marty, well he’s teaching us how to see, isn’t he? Marty, I think, agreed and we continued to watch. I visited Tom several times after that and always tried to remember his philosophy when working a horse. At one point I was working for a performance horse breeder and was involved in the world of essentially a very different kind of training. But it was often successful and the horses with the trainers we used were very good. I asked myself what is the common thread to what they do and what Tom does that makes it all work.

What made it all work were those fundamental principles that Tom put forward in his many aphorisms. The principles of behavior and in this case how the horse sees the world. Tom often said he was the horse’s lawyer. He put forth how the horse may be interpreting the situation and often not as the person would. Many of those performance trainers would push thru incidents and most often the horses would adjust. They were well bred and raised in the best of circumstances with people caring for them. These horses had a positive association with people. Many of the horses Tom worked with, had at some point come to have a certain distrust for the human in particular circumstances. With those horses Tom was able to be the horse’s lawyer and reestablish trust enough to teach them a particular lesson. A lesson that was usually fundamental to living in the world of people and the confinement that results. Many years after I first met Tom I was introduced to the science of behavior. What I found was the answer to my original question. What is the common thread? The common thread is those principles set down by nature that Tom so well understood, and he was able to put them into short but accurate guidelines (aphorisms). In doing so he was able to communicate not only to the horse but to the common man. In doing so Tom helped many horses that otherwise would have been frustrated with what a human being was trying to do to it. Thank you, Tom, for being the both a philosopher, scientist and a great fellow to be around. Tom’s true gift, it seems to me, was that he could genuinely “Observe, Remember and Compare” what was happening and if different from what may have been expected he would take that as reality and adjust accordingly. To engage this quality one must lose their egos, and what they think about the horse and the situation. By doing so, one can truly practice what Tom outlined in his basic philosophy and your life with horses and theirs, will get better. Thank you, Tom, for the great gift that can be used in all aspects of life.

Our Horseman Hall of Fame

TOM DORRANCE 1910 – 2003

The most meaningful aspect of my journey with horses has been our communication. This is where I’ve had to invest the most thought and effort. I’ve spent time observing horses—whether alone or in groups, whether gently raised or born wild—paying close attention to their natural behaviors. By studying their actions and reactions, I’ve learned how to present myself in a way that encourages them to respond willingly to my requests.
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John Saint Ryan

John Saint Ryan was born in England and raised in Ireland. He taught Martial Arts for 27 years throughout Europe, coaching 12 individuals to become National Champions.

During this time, he rode horses for fun and managed to fit in an acting career, which included theatre work in the provinces and the West End, followed by guest star roles on TV and in films, working alongside several notable stars including Sean Connery, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Heath Ledger. He has written and co-produced independent films and co-starred in many international features.
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Dr Andrew McLean

[email protected]
[email protected]
Co-Director, Equitation Science International
Winner of the highest Australian science award, the Eureka Prize for Science, Andrew McLean is in great demand as a trainer, coach and speaker. In addition to establishing the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre which was the largest behaviour modification centre in the southern hemisphere, he has written 6 books, including an international best seller, and authored over 55 peer-reviewed journal articles.
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Charles de Kunffy

www.CharlesdeKunffy.com
Charles de Kunffy, a member of the Austro-Hungarian nobility, was born and raised in Hungary. His parents were eminent horse breeders with derby winning racehorses. Charles started riding as a child, always under expert supervision and instruction. His riding masters were educated during the golden age of equitation between 1900-1945. His teachers were the products of the finest riding institutions of the “inter bellum.”
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These included Vienna and Wienerneustadt in Austria, Hannover and Berlin in Germany, Pinerolo and Tordiquinto in Italy, and Hungary’s Orkeny. Pal Kemery, Jeno Kosa-Reznek, Imre Bodo and Geza Hazslinsky-Krull attended these institutions, competed with great successes and mentored Charles for years in an institutional setting.
Cross-country riding, jumping and dressage were melded into one comprehensive system of training, adhering to the classical tradition of riding theory and methodology. Diversification of activities, riding skills and the ability to improve any horse were emphasized in the academic training program. Charles de Kunffy was schooled with the strictest adherence to classical training traditions based on scholarship and a profound respect for the horse. He represents the unbroken heritage of classical horsemanship handed down from generation to generation without compromise.

Charles de Kunffy’s expertise and his ability to inspire and instruct his students, earned him great popularity and respect. He was welcomed in Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada and the United States by enthusiastic and appreciative audiences. He has conducted many courses, seminars and forums for instructors and judges. His work is appreciated for its scholastic depth, academic expertise, and the clarity and vigor of its delivery. Regardless of a student’s talent or accomplishments, Charles never refused help to any rider willing to learn. He believes that the honor of teaching the traditions of the great equestrian arts commands an instructor to perform with equal dedication and thoroughness whether teaching a beginner or coaching an Olympic gold medalist.

Charles de Kunffy is the author of six published books and is working on two more (one autobiographical) currently. His books are frequently quoted by other writers, referred to by colleagues, are used as college text books and in educational pamphlets. His equestrian articles are well known on many continents and were published by some of the finest equestrian magazines.

Popular for his lecture/demonstration appearances, his radio and television interviews, and Charles de Kunffy has influenced a great many riders. He has contributed substantially to the popularity of classical horsemanship. His students remain grateful for the understanding of riding principles, for the acquired riding skills and for the improvement of their and their horses’ lives.

# 1 “The Ethics and Passions of Dressage”

In this most thoughtful and thought-provoking book, the author calls for a dedication to the traditions of classical horsemanship. Mr. de Kunffy takes the reader's mind for a lesson that embraces history, philosophy, art, nature and the ethics of horsemanship.

#2 “Dressage Principles Illuminated”

In this visually beautiful book the author recalls the classical riding principles and contrasts it to mere competitive riding. He reflects on the nature and training of horses, the education and development of the rider and explains his training methods and schooling philosophy.

#3 “Training Strategies for Dressage Riders”

In this book the author promotes equestrian elegance through effectiveness. He draws attention to the outmost importance of the rider’s correct equitation as a precondition to schooling their horses correctly.

#4 “The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse:” Manage Patterns

This exacting work concentrates on explaining the meaning and usefulness of traditional riding patterns as schooling aids for the proper athletic development of horses. A unique book devoted entirely to the explaining of the purposes and usefulness of the classical Manege patterns.

#5 "A Rider's Survival from Tyranny"

Charles de Kunffy retells the dramatic events of his privileged and turbulent young life. A European nobleman in the stormy years of World War II and the Hungarian Revolution persevered to become a prominent equestrian. During the Soviet occupation, de Kunffy finds a life-saving island of tranquility in the ancient art of classical horsemanship.

#6 The “Journals” were written by Charles de Kunffy in 2006

With the journals the author wished to inform, amuse and inspire riders. Inspired by his conviction that equestrian life must include a great variety of interests, a broadening of cultural and aesthetic experiences, a hunger for the cultural expansion of the mind and the uplifting of the spirit.

AND SO IT GOES

For those of you who know Tim McGaffic and me…Ginny Chase Elder…you know it’s a given that we are all about those horses. We always want to know more about horses and we want to help improve the lives of all horses through education. Tim has the brain of a research scientist and I have a heart that advocates on behalf of the horse. Tim and I have been doing clinics and training horses together for a while now. Three years ago, we started a really cool project using heart rate monitors to gauge what was going on inside a horse, emotionally or physically. It has been amazing and interesting beyond imagination. Once you see it in action you’ll never approach a horse the same way
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The last couple of years we have been studying the usefulness of combined reinforcement and Learning Theory for everyday horsemen in the training and management of horses. Equitation Science is the foundation we are trying to share with all horse owners, trainers and professionals to improve the quality of life for all horses. Sense and sensibility is what we offer. You won’t find any carrot sticks for sale just two people who care deeply for horses. We want to share, discuss and explore knowledge with fellow horsemen that hopefully will lead many to examine their beliefs and foster compassion.

There is no one right way or method and yup many roads lead to Rome. However, there are the governing principles of good ole Mother Nature when it comes to survival and how all animals learn. And if “Mother Nature ain’t happy …ain’t nobody happy”. Too often our experiences with horses and with our own life perceptions and prejudices lead to grave misunderstanding when it comes to communicating with our equine friends. From antiquated stabling and management to sound bite training techniques we as humans are loath to change. The good as well as the bad is handed down from generation to generation in the lore of horsemanship. But times are a changing. The demographics of horses and horse owners are having an impact on the very future of our historical bond with horses. Our cultural influences of social media, instant gratification and the economy hit hard at the very core of the meaning of horsemanship.

Science is proving that many things that we were taught and insist are the truth are simply not so. The beauty of science though is that you can prove it. It’s not some big guru’s opinion or spin of the facts. When we study ethology or the nature of horses and remove the nasty habit of laying our humanness on other species suddenly our eyes are wide open to the implications and possibilities. And also, the injustices and abuse that many horses are subjected to. Horses and most animals are much more cognizant than they’ve been given credit for. Horses are brilliant at being horses and we need to appreciate and understand their view of the world if we are to excel at being horsemen. Our worlds are entwined in such a way that it levels the playing field for all living creatures and perhaps for the very survival of earth.

Tim and I would like to invite you to come along for a ride with us as we venture into the world of horses from a scientific yet philosophically compassionate perspective. We are learning along our journey, just as we hope you will too about the wonderful nature of horses…the nature of natural.

Happy Trails,

The Nature of Natural Crew

Tim and Ginny

Tim’s Thoughts

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Tom argued and rightfully so, that all the animal had to know what to do is the approach. That approach can take many forms and in it we assume your body language as you approach is neutral to friendly and not appearing predatory. And it must be simple, no waving, hollering, or other gestures that the trainee can’t interpret and if so, cause conflict and default solutions. The speed of the approach is important, along with the angle, and the general position of the beginning of it. As one approaches and reads the body language of the trainee he may choose to pause, give the trainee time to think, and to then resume or even change what he was previously doing. As you can see, to be good at this, one needs to gain some experience. It is not something that you will learn on the internet. To elaborate on this and more detailed concepts let’s take a look at what at least two of our masters Tom Dorrance, John Saint Ryan and Andrew McLean have to say specifically on this subject.

The Nature of Natural Point of View

The Nature of Natural Point of View Click here to read

The Nature of Natural Point of View

The Eyes Have It

Seeing the world: It takes about 1/3 of a mammal’s brain to see the world consistently. It is a huge part of survival to see the world. When you have the mind the body will follow…but when do you have the mind? Watch your horse’s eyes and time your releases not only with the body but with the eyes. When you really have focus, you have the mind.

Horses see much differently than we do and so their view of the world is very different. In addition, they process that information through a very small prefrontal cortex…without reason…as we know it. Often an involuntary response triggers the horse’s behavior especially when it comes to sight. Think about how a windy day must “seem” through a horse’s movement sensitive eye!

The field of vision for a horse are large. They cover a lot of area and when an object is on the edge of those fields it riggers a response called the orienting or attention response. It is instantly viewed as novel and all senses are directed to determining what this thing is!

Predators tend to turn and look depending on the strength of the input but in horses and most prey animals it tends to trigger the flight response. This is an involuntary response that you can start to override or at least decrease with training.

Why the horse has a flight response! Survival

The more often the flight response occurs as a solution the more often it will be the solution of choice. This is because the flight response is extremely reinforcing. It takes only a few repetitions before this becomes the solution of choice. A conflicted horse will choose the flight response especially if basic learning for solutions has not occurred.

Hot tip: The flight response is expressed by moving feet. So being able to slow the feet down or even stop them completely is particularly important. Spend time on downward transitions, stops and backups for this reason.

If conflict without resolution persists to long for the horse, hard-wired anti-predator behaviors may appear such as shying, bolting, bucking or rearing.

Hot tip: Some trainers push the horse through these responses with hope that the horse becomes used to the stimulus that is causing the behavior. Often this does not work because the response has already occurred and actually reinforces the flight response as opposed to discouraging it. At this point the flight response becomes a regular feature because it’s now been practiced.

When two or more drives compete in a horse’s brain the one with the greatest survival value at the time will be predominate. Hungry: It will seek food Alone: It will seek company Feels pain or pressure: It seeks to remove the cause Fear: It flees

Hot tip: Study your horse closely to find out what his trigger points are to different situations. The ever popular flight response varies widely in individuals and breeds.

The biggest problems you will probably have with your horse are perception problems. He perceives something to be threatening (novel) and reacts to it with the good old fashion flight response.

Hot tip: This reaction can happen in the blink of an eye so teaching your horse about lots of different stuff and how to deal with it is in your best interest!