Voice commands

[First Paso]

I have been working with my man since February now and I think we are doing ok. I have been noticing that he responds extremely well to voice commands. He usually has an ear turned to me at all times. I read so much about body based cues from in the saddle...but what about voice commands? Perhaps not for the show ring, but trails and such. With so much based in ground work...he seems to respond well to the voice commands in the saddle, it just carries over. I don't think he is paying so much attention to my leg and hand cues but my voice right now. I assume eventually he will put the two together if I am consistent.
Is the extreme attentiveness to the person working with the paso, part of the breed? I don't see the other horses at the barn showing such inclination to voice, or perhaps I talk too much to my horse. LOL that could be it. Just interested in any comments about other pasos and their attentiveness to voice. Thanks

[SandyMM]

perhaps I talk too much
Could this be the problem? LOL - no - I think Pasos are more curious by nature and more attuned to their riders. In the show ring, voice commands are probably not a good idea since other (uncrupulous) riders and spectators might use them to your disadvantage. But outside of the show ring, voice commands probably aren't that big of a 'problem'.... It is nice though to see a horse who is so attuned to the rider that it 'appears' to take _no_ commands to communicate.

I once sold a Paso to a newcomer to the breed because the mare stopped so well on an almost inaudible verbal command.

[pnalley]

My friend has a 27 year old gelding that she has owned his whole life. When he was learning to be ridden, she didn't know you were supposed to use your legs. So he responds to voice commands. He knows walk, trot, canter, whoa, back and I'm not sure what else. When he was about 10 she did teach him leg cues, but they both prefer voice cues.

And no, it doesn't have a thing to do with breed, This guy is a Saddlebred x Quarter cross.

[Pasogirlz]

My Mom uses voice commands a lot on her trail horses and they seem to respond well. She tells them to "watch your feet" when they go thru areas with lots of hard roots or things they could trip on. :p

Not to mention I have been on a show horse or two that responded to hearing the ring steward commanding the announcer. So we were in corto before it was asked for officially. :o

And yes, I find the Paso Fino VERY in tune with their handler. Physical cues, vocal cues, and even emotional cues are noted by them.

[Ginger]

Sometimes Pasos are a lot like partners... if you frequently talk to your horse, they might become de-sensitized to the part of the conversation they need to hear most. Of course... it's a lot easier to train physical aids than to just, you know, not talk (or type. This is the shortest thing I've typed in years.).

[motorgypsy]

Exciting life Crystal. Good luck with all of your events.

I know alot of paso fino owners who do use voice commands and it's handy to teach both voice and body motion cues because a horse who knows voice cues can be handled from a distance. Brandy took down a cross tie station once and took off pulling both 4 x 4's and the chains and ties. We had done a lot of clicker training with her and we yelled HALT and she stopped cold and waited for us to get her untangled.

Maybe paso fino owners are just more chatty?

And there is something to the idea that if you talk to them all the time they may tune you out when you need them to listen. But they are very curious and notice everything for the most part - although Chinook and Arwen can go to lala land on occasion. But it's not that common. Our guys loved to watch other horses run speed events. They would just stand by the rail fascinated.

[Pasomom]

Yes, I do know my horses listen to me on the trail, when we come to a rough spot, roots, bogs, etc. I always tell them, watch your feet, ( and call their name) and Candee will immediatly slow down and look. The youngsters are still learning, but they listen some already.

[GNix46]

I use voice commands along with the regular cues. It seems to help quiet a green horse and as they learn they appear to be more responsive and more alert.

G

[First Paso]

Thanks for all the insight! Don't worry I don't mumble to the poor boy constantly...I know he doesn't find my personal life that interesting, that's what the dog is for. I tell him walk, corto, whoa, etc. and he seems to pick up on that pretty consistantly. He is very sensitive to leg commands...the slightest pressure makes him move extremely reactively...perhaps he likes the voice instead of the leg, perhaps he is training me? He is so clever. He is very sensitive to movement in the saddle, he is teaching me how important balance is, as he will turn with the movement of my head. He is just amazing, and I am so glad we have eahcother. My posture improves with every ride, his responses tell me what I am doing wrong or right (most of the time, unless he is throwing one of his little fits LOL). No ride is ever boring, and we are always figuring out new things. I really do appreciate all your stories, and insights about gaited horses. The more I read the posts the more I confirm my belief that my little man is not the same creature as the quarter horses with whom he shares the pasture, besides being so much more pleasing on the eyes! LOL He is charming.