Good habits can be developed, horesman says

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Spook Wiggins agrees with most horsemen who feel most horse “problems” are actually people problems. The horseman not only trains people, and develops horses, he also works with horses that have been abused. -- Staff photo by Cope

August 4, 2005 - Allowing a horse to be a horse, and gaining knowledge on the ways to keep it from developing bad habits, are just two of the important tips offered by seasoned horseman Spook Wiggins.

Wiggins practically grew up on horseback in the hills of southeastern Idaho. A photo of him at 3-months of age shows him aboard a Palomino owned by his grandfather. From then until now, at age 30, horses have been a central piece of Wiggins’ life, from rodeo competitions to ranch work.

He focuses a lot of his work nowadays, from his Aces and Eights Performance Horse ranch near Wolfe City, “developing” horses. He conducts workshops and demonstrations, plus he takes on individual’s horses, as well as works with horses that have been abused.

Recently, Wiggins was the featured clinician at a Hunt County horse event. As the gray skies turned to rainy weather, the horseman had time to share his knowledge.

First, Wiggins stressed it’s good to develop the right kind of relationship with the horse. “There’s a fine line between love and respect,” he said. “One of the first things to teach the horse is to respect your space. ... You don’t want a 1,200-pound ‘pet’ up in your lap.

“Put yourself in the dominant mare’s position,” he related about letting the horse know you are the leader.

When leading a horse, Wiggins said it’s good to have distance between you and the animal. “If something makes the horse jump, I’d rather have a six-foot chance of getting out the way than a two-foot chance.”

To gain the horse’s respect for its human’s space, Wiggins said to stop the horse when it starts closing in. “I shake the (lead) rope until he takes some steps back, then we start again.” If the horse gets too close again, the process has to be repeated.

Some folks may be apprehensive about getting aboard the horse, especially if they’ve already experienced some difficulties. “But some people say a horse ‘bucks,’ when really, it’s a few ‘crow hops’ and it gets out from under them. ... If the horse really does run off bucking, then he’s gone into flight mode, and you’ve done something really wrong.”

Wiggins, as many horsemen relate, said most horse problems are people problems. “It’s not his fault for being a horse. ... Anytime you go out to ride, look in the horse’s eye. That’s a reflection of you; and if you see you’re mad, or scared, go do something else. You’re cheating the horse if you don’t.”

If a person is showing anxiety about riding, then the horse may wonder “Why is this person’s sneaking up like that and being so cautious? Is something fixing to get us?” Wiggins said, “Don’t let him sense your fear or nervousness. Just ride him. Get on him and ride him like he’s been doing Western pleasure for 20 years.”

Keening on being “positive” when developing a horse, Wiggins points out people should think “can, will, shall” and not “can’t or won’t. ... We can’t make this horse do something, but we will teach him to.”

That’s where the respect comes into play. And, having a horse respect its owner is a time-involved, calm-with-confidence process.

Part of the respect-building plan involves “desensitizing” exercises, such as rattling a bag or swinging a rope near the horse. Wiggins explained using these things are a way to train the horse, and not scare it. But, when the action initially frightens the horse and it jumps, “that’s okay. It’s a horse, and he’s likely to do that. But I want him to understand he needs to stay with me. That he’s safe with me.”

Ideally, the best thing to remember when training, or developing, a horse, is to “make the right thing (movement or reaction) easy, and the wrong thing difficult. ... Horses can build a bad habit. And just two times make a habit. We create a problem, and we can fix it; but you’ve got to have the knowledge.”

There are various educational modes to gain the knowledge, such as literature, clinics, videos, personal trainers, etc.

When buying a horse, the previous owner should have some information about any habits the horse has, Wiggins shared.

“I think it’s good to buy a horse off a breeder, or someone with a good reputation. ... Now, I don’t have a problem with sale barns, but I do have a problem with the people that bring a horse in that’s been doped up (to calm it) and then some poor people buy it for their kid,” the father of two said.

“I like for people to come to my house and spend some time with a horse,” Wiggins added about his horse-selling process. “I want to be sure they are sure, and comfortable, with the horse.”

And if a horse has a bad habit, and many do; “it’s not an overnight fix. ... It comes in steps.”

One example Wiggins shared was from a lady who said her horse would make a dead run for the barn when it thought it was quitting time. The horseman explained that when the horse did that, to not quit riding, but rather work him. Take him outside the barn and run him in circles, and often having him “whoa.” Then, take the horse back out for a short ride, and head back toward the barn, stopping him several times before you reach the barn. If the horse makes another dead run for the barn, then repeat the circling exercise. “He’ll learn he’d rather ‘whoa’ instead of running circles.”

Wiggins said, “But you have to do it again and again. Maybe 20 times until he does it correctly. ... You let them do it (or get away with it) one time, then you’ve got a problem.”