Join up vs the catching game...

[lisamac]

Chasing the horse away is putting pressure on and causing discomfort right?
Waiting for the horse to submit therefore making the wrong thing difficult and the right thing comfortable, you are looking for horse to want to be with you instead of running away.
I admit there are differences for example in the join up you are waiting for the lick and chew and the drop of the head before you allow the horse to come in and in the catching game you are waiting for the horse to face you and then you back off.
But what is different in the catching game when you cause discomfort when they are not where you want them to be and join up you are putting them in an uncomfortable place, on the outside of your herd, in the danger zone until they ask to come in?
Both things are having essentially the same effect.
In both methods you are taking the pressure off the horse when he complies.
Mixing both methods and taking the things that work best for different horses works for me, but an interesting discussion I think...would love to hear other views.......

[mariab]

Hey you said it in your last line, different things works for different horses, horses are looking for safety and comfort first, then play and food so you have to take the different horsenality into consideration

Interesting though

[hopalong]

Hi i am new to all this stuff but would like to get yer opinion on which Game would work best in a 20 acre field with a 2year old that has never been handled

[liamclancy]

lisa,
there are inconsistancies where ever you look, the idea of pressure/release is misleading it usually just involves reducing the pressure, to remove it you'd have to turn him out in fifty acres and go home. I think good trainers know how to play with comfort/discomfort and adjust according to the horses reactions keeping it well below the level of cruelty. when your good enough to recognise the right methods to use in a particular situation (and you are) stop analysing or you'll dissapear up your own exhaust pipe.

[liamclancy]

Hopalong,
I see your dilemma, I have three suggestions in order of preference..
a) sell nineteen and threequarter acres.
b)buy a quad bike.
c) get a pair of Nike air cushion super trainers.

The beauty of option a) is that you will have enough money to buy a broke horse to keep on the quarter acre plot if thing don't work out.
Don't thank me I just love helping people!!"