Lessons of the Horse || The Key is Consistency
From the Archive
The following article was originally published as part of a three part series in Local Horse Magazine in 2014.
Much of my work at that time focused on horses, but many of the behavioural principles discussed here continue to shape the way I think about animals and relationships today.
Let us begin with a simple question.
Why is consistency so important when working with horses?
First we need to understand what consistency actually means. Consistency means that expectations remain the same from one moment to the next. The cues we give, the boundaries we hold and the way we respond do not constantly change.
For horses, consistency makes the world more predictable and therefore less confusing. Predictability reduces anxiety and allows the animal to understand how their behaviour influences outcomes.
In simple terms, it creates clarity.
I often say that my horses have been some of the greatest teachers in my life, second only to my daughter. Between them they have taught me more about patience, awareness and behaviour than almost anything else.
When my daughter was younger I remember having a particularly testing day with her. Like many parents, I was tired and run down and my responses to her behaviour had become inconsistent.
It did not take long to see the effect.
When expectations shift from day to day, behaviour begins to shift as well. Children quickly sense when boundaries are unclear or inconsistent. The same pattern appears with horses.
Consistency is actually far harder than it sounds. It requires patience, attention and a willingness to show up in the same way repeatedly, even when we are tired or distracted.
My background in animal training has influenced the way I think about behaviour in general. At its most basic level, behaviour is shaped through consequences. Behaviours that are rewarded tend to increase. Behaviours that are ignored or redirected tend to fade.
This principle applies across species.
When my daughter behaved kindly, completed tasks or showed responsibility she received praise, attention or small rewards. Those responses encouraged the behaviour to continue. Over time repetition builds habits.
The same principle applies when working with horses.
Consistency allows the horse to understand what behaviour leads to comfort or reward. Inconsistency creates confusion.
Confusion often leads to frustration, anxiety or unwanted behaviour.
Of course life is busy and there are always days when it feels easier to let things slide. However every time expectations shift dramatically we introduce uncertainty.
Both horses and children respond best to calm, predictable boundaries.
There is another important point here.
If you find yourself angry, frustrated or emotionally reactive, it is often better to pause rather than continue training. Consistency is difficult to maintain when we are operating from a reactive state of mind.
The same applies when working with children.
When we remain calm and clear, our responses remain consistent. When we are reactive, our behaviour becomes unpredictable.
Horses in particular rely on predictable signals from the people around them. Clear cues, timely releases of pressure and quiet acknowledgement of correct responses help the horse understand what is being asked.
Consistency is about clarity, not rigidity.
It takes patience and determination to remain consistent in our actions and expectations, but the benefits are significant. Horses become more relaxed and confident when the world around them feels understandable.
In many ways the lesson is simple.
When we become more balanced and consistent in our own behaviour, the animals around us often respond in kind.
© Mel Spittall