There are probably a few thousand people out there training horses for a living.
Some of them are excellent and worth every penny.
Some are doing OK - and if you do not know much about training, they will work.
Some should just find another job.
And there are for sure a lot more people doing their own training.
Some of them get amazing results.
Most are getting along with their horses and with what they are doing ok.
Some just always have "problem horses".
Because of my background in behavioral science I have for years analyzed what made the successful people different.
It eventually burns down to FOCUS.
I have trained quite a few horses over the years and most of the time was very successful.
Many people have asked me, how I can get results that quick.
My answer always is, clear objectives and focus - and then I have to do a lot of explaining.
I raise Morgan horses and work my foals from day two - day one belongs to mama.
Within a couple or three days they will lead, pick up their feet and wear my hat (that is a dangerous object - a trust deal).
People ask me how I do that and the answer is the same.
Let me take foals for an example.
My horses are turned out in a herd.
If I am working with a young foal, this is all that is on my mind.
My whole brains is saying "pick up this foot".
And that is all that is on my mind.
Well, doing this long enough I have developed that way back some part of my mind is watching for quick steps - I don't like to get run over.
What does that mean? Well, if you are able to get a halter on a horse and try to teach the horse to lead, you should only have "walk, turn, walk, stop" on your mind.
To my knowledge there is no proof that your horse can technically "read" your mind.
But hundreds of examples proof to me that the horse will pick up an that focus and concentration.
On the other hand - if you say "walk" and then "what's for dinner", "need to call Bill about the BBQ", "shoot, forgot to call dad" goes through your mind - it will not work.
I make this up - but for your horse it is, "walk - ok" - "wait what is dinner, BBQ or dad".
When you lead your horse and the horse is focused on you, there are only two possible options for the horse to expect - a turn or a stop.
Many times people have told me their horse does not pay any attention.
I usually ask them to just lead the horse.
They do - and talk to me about something else.
They do not pay attention - no wonder the horse does not either.
Well, there are trainers that can do something with a horse and at the same time explain what they are doing.
But these people have developed the ability over years - and never take their focus off the horse.
The more you can focus on your horse the more the horse will focus on you - it is that simple.