I do want to note that although I am British and based in the United Kingdom, this book is first being published in the United States. Therefore, some effort has been made to deal with Anglo-American inconsistencies in terms and language. For instance, the book uses “halter” instead of “headcollar” and “soccer” instead of “football.” Wherever possible, both terms are included for clarity. Throughout, measurements are provided in both metric and imperial systems.
In addition, while I have written this book from my perspective, and therefore have used the first person singular throughout, the development of Horse Agility to an international level has been a group effort.
There are many individuals who deserve recognition for the ideas that have helped provide a foundation for the sport, for the system of rules and scoring that is currently in place, and for the conceptualization and construction of the obstacles commonly used in agility courses today and therefore included in this book. I would like to make a point of saying that “I,” when used in the pages that follow, does not exclude a massive support system of “we.” I acknowledge and thank all those involved, on every level.
I invite you to join us! If you are interested in joining a Horse Agility club or competing against others, turn to p. 171 for more information.
Vanessa Bee
Founder, International Horse Agility Club
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introduction to horse agility
At your direction—and without a lead rope—a free horse jumps through a hoop in an open field that’s full of delicious grass. It sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Up until a few months ago I would have thought so too, but now I can direct my horse round an obstacle course with jumps, tunnels and weaving poles, just like in the popular sport of Dog Agility. And the great thing I’ve discovered is that I can teach other people and their horses how to do it, too.
Not only have I found that we have been really underestimating the ability of our horses, we’ve been underestimating ourselves. Helping horses and people discover and learn to do Horse Agility is not difficult, although it takes a little time, of course. The real challenge is exploding the myths people have long believed about horses.
At first, people laughed when I explained what I was doing; they would say things like, “So you want to jump your horse through hoops, do you?” When I replied, “Not only hoops but tunnels and fire pillars, and all with the horse completely free,” they began to realize just how serious I was. As at that point there was nothing remotely like this in the horse world, I thought I’d better take a look at Dog Agility to see how participants trained, handled and competed their dogs—especially as compared to the way we train our horses.
I noticed dog people did not use a leash or other restraint, nor did they wield a whip or stick to hit or threaten a dog when he made a mistake. And, the dogs moved freely with great enthusiasm over the agility course.
Would horses be able to do this? There was only one way to find out—I had to try it!
The ultimate aim of Horse Agility is to work the horse free (at liberty) over obstacles, just as happens in Dog Agility classes. However, as with dogs, you cannot just turn up on the day of competition and think it’s
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A horse, free, jumping through a hoop at the direction of his handler—is it possible? Yes!
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going to work! Training horses to do Horse Agility is almost identical to training dogs: First, the dog is taught to be lead. Then, on the leash, he learns how to go over obstacles while the handler uses body language and verbal commands. Later, the trainer turns the dog loose in a safe place and uses the same signals to see if she can still direct the dog over the obstacles.
So that’s what I tried with my horses. And it worked!
How to Use This Book
You will see that The Horse Agility Handbook is divided into a number of chapters. One of the most important, chapter 5 (p. 40), explains how to handle your horse in a safe manner. I urge you not to skip this chapter. The reason I was able to proceed relatively quickly to jumping my horse through a hoop is because my foundation skills are extremely solid. I can look at an obstacle, work out a strategy, piece together all the skills I already have, and then build a plan I can follow to complete the task. I work in tiny sections so it’s a bit like building a pile of paper. Each sheet is very thin, but when you place one on top of another, you create a solid block.
I would also like to suggest that you read the whole book before you start practicing Horse Agility so you can see where it is going. Then, you just start “playing.” There are only two rules: Stay Safe! Have Fun!
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Introducing the people and horses in this book: Philip Osborne with Ollie (A); Secret, Thoroughbred mare, 14 years old (B); Creedy, Exmoor pony mare, 28 years old (C); Ricky, Exmoor pony gelding, nine years old (D); Emma Tarrant with Kelston (E); Kelston, Appaloosa/Thoroughbred gelding, 14 years old (F); Fudge, Exmoor pony gelding, ninr years old (G); Ollie, Exmoor pony gelding, nine years old (H); Lucy Adams with Fudge (I); Sunday, Thoroughbred mare, 10 years old (J).
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CHAPTER 1
what is horse agility?
Horse Agility is a sport where the ultimate aim is for the handler to direct her completely free horse over, through and under obstacles. Note that while the horse needs to be comfortable and willing while at liberty, this process is not about “spook-busting”—it’s about myth-busting. You don’t want to “dumb your horse down”; you want to communicate
with him. My goal is never to “take the spook out of my horse,” as that’s what makes him a horse! I want my horse to be aware enough to think his way through an obstacle course, which is also why I ensure that agility courses I use never look the same and are always completed in a different obstacle order. I don’t want my horse to become an obedient “robot”—I want to keep him interested.
Horse Agility vs. Trick Training
Is Horse Agility really just teaching your horse to do tricks? By definition, it is: A “trick” is when an animal repeats an “unnatural” behavior for reward. However, by this definition, dressage, show jumping, and polo are also just “tricks”—in fact all horse sports!
What appeals to me about Horse Agility is that by working the horse free, he has the choice about whether he performs or not. Unfortunately, people have been conditioned to believe that horses are dangerous unless they are kept completely under control. Look through any horse magazine or visit any tack shop to see the fantastic array of gadgets designed for such a purpose. However, Horse Agility is all about training—not restraining. You will find there is very little in the way of equipment needed to join in the fun because the sport is about training the horse so that he knows what you want him to do without forcing him with gadgets. Horse Agility is a real testament to your ability as a trainer—you just have to be good at communicating with your horse.
What Would Your Horse Choose to Do?
When you watch dogs race round an agility course, it looks as if they’re having fun: They’re free to choose to run and jump and go around an obstacle if they wish. This kind of “fun” has never been seen in the horse
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world—until now. Where did the myth come from that tells us we need to catch