Still, care must be taken that the colt is gentle, tractable, and fond of man when he is sent to the horse-breaker. That sort of business is generally done at home through the groom, if he knows how to contrive that hunger and thirst and horseflies are associated by the colt with solitude, while eating and drinking and delivery from irritation come through man's agency. For in these circumstances a foal is bound not only to like men, but to hanker after them. [2.4] One should also handle those parts in which the horse likes most to be cherished, that is to say the hairiest parts and those where the horse has least power of helping himself, if anything worries him. [2.5] Let the groom be under orders also to lead him through crowds, and accustom him to all sorts of sights and all sorts of noises. If the colt shies at any of them, he must teach him, by quieting him and without impatience, that there is nothing to be afraid of. I think that the directions I have given on the subject of horse-breaking are sufficient for the private person. Xenophon--THE ART OF HORSMANSHIP
I don’t want to give the impression that Xenophon had everything figured out. His primary focus was to establish sound training principles for the war horse. But, he was on the right track. And I don't think it involved any thing "adult" or "jungle bred". Wade Burck
Monday, April 28, 2008
When "what is training", is addressed I suggest a good place to start is 322 BC
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Wade G. Burck
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I would hazard to guess that the harshest training historically has been with wild adult animals where 'breaking' is the first step. I've seen some video of adult wild elephants being broken in Thailand - wow! Even the dirctor of the training camp said "this is not something for the soft hearted to do or see".
Likewise the breaking of wild horses in the old days.
East European gypsies used very harsh methods in training young adult bears.
I don't know about cats and other assorted "jungle killers", but I'd rather go the route of actually having an animal that likes to have me around, rather than one that trembles every time it hears my voice.
Kim
Wade, If I was a cat person, I'd like to work with cats like this guy does. He's a South African who raises animals for movie work. There's a whole series of videos from some ducumentary about him on YouTube if you look through the other videos by the person who posted this one.
I imagine a lot of trainers would say that he's not a real trainer in the circus sense,and takes risks but, boy, I'd love to be as close to lions and other wild animals as he is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWmaeZd6Zrw&feature=related
Kim
Kim,
I loved that video. Thanks for posting it.
To General,
I really think if the circus industry had a trainer that was viewed like he is in the public eye, it would be greatly beneficial to the industry. It would really help calm a lot of worries the general public has. I think the Hanneford circus has been trying to do this some with Clayton Rosaire as there has been a few newspaper articles this year about him, the great bond between him and his animals, and the Rosaires sanctuary. I think they are on the right track.
Take care,
Logan
Logan,
How did you you watch that video? I can't click on it? What I am asking is for you to come light my hot water heater. LOL
Wade
Kim,
If it was discovered in 322 BC, I say just keep tweaking and improving. We that know better, may scoff at the "whispers", but the "public" seems to like them. We can't debate their success.
Wade
Wade, I know this sounds very pompous and it's not intended to be that way, but ever since I was a child I've felt a connection with animals that is hard to explain. I think many people have it and put names like 'whisperer' to it.
An example:I was at an auction last year and climbed into on of the stalls to look at a horse for a friend - just checking feet, mouth and temperament. The horse was a baby and I was in there quite a while, talking things over with the horse. I was climbing back through the rails and a guy came running over said "that horse is a killer - has killed one guy and injured many". No one at the barn could get near him. Was it just foolish luck? I don't know, but it's happened scores of times throughout my life, especially with horses. I honestly don't believe it's scores of flukes, but rarely if ever mention those things because most people would take it as bragging or mumbo jumbo or worse. And, at my age, I've long ago stopped caring about what people think. I just keep it as my own thing to ponder.
Kim
Kim,
Being an animal trainer, I will suggest something else. You didn't know he was a "killer" or "dangerous", so you acted in a normal way. Had you had advance publicity, you may have "acted" on the defensive, or been overly "aggressive" in your actions, which may have cause him to become defensive, and defend himself. Remember an animal has no spoken language. They depend on instant recognition of ear movement, muscle twitches, eye blinks, flared nostrils, etc. etc. for survival. You body/actions more then your voice will get the reaction/counter reaction to what you are transmitting. In my field, if you have 5 elephants, and you tell someone 3 are good, and those two are tough. They will instantly act "different" toward the two types. Louder deeper voice in commanding, more aggressive actions. Usually if they don't know they are "different" they are more successful withe them as a group. If they don't recognize, on their own the difference as soon to instant as they can they probably shouldn't be around them anyway. Speaking for myself, I am more apprehensive getting on a horse that has a history of bucking, or a tiger that has a history of attacking, then one I know nothing about. You can not stop that change in your breathing, movements, everything. And they read it instantly, as you do which hopefully will make you react a split second quicker.
Wade
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