attention while doing groundwork

[Susara]

I've started doing some groundwork exercises (back up, lateral moves, etc) with my almost 3-yo gelding. This is very new for me so pls forgive elementary questions.

I find that he's really quite quick on picking up what I ask as long as he has his attention on me. What I want to know is what to do if you see that his mind is wandering.

For instance, imagine me standing next to him in the paddock (we have no round pens :-(), working on the 'friendly game'. He sees someone walking at a distance, looks up, and starts walking closer to get a better look. What do I do? He's not being disobedient or anything, it's just that I'm as good as a tree stump at that point and that's the attention that I'm getting. Now how do I get him back to me? Do I make him circle back to his position? Do I fiddle with the lead rope to get his attention? If he doesn't actually move off, do I simply ignore it and just carry on what I'm doing?

Same holds for when I'm leading him; he's generally very good at following me without any pressure from the lead, but if he pulls off to get a nibble of grass; do I give a yank at the halter, or do I just make a noise/fuss to get him to stop eating and move on?

[Harry Hobbes]

His job when you have him on a lead rope is to stay with you and keep his attention generally on you. He should not try to walk off or consistently look elsewhere.

The reason that he is distracted is that he is not "hooked on" to you; he's merely with you. When he gets hooked on to you, then he may look at distractions, but he'll stay with you and consistently bring his attention back to you.

To get him hooked on to you, put him to work doing something every time that his attention wanders. This could be just about anything that involves him moving his feet. When his attention comes back to you, let him stand quietly.

If he stands still but starts looking at everything else but you, then "kiss" to him to get his attention back. When his ears and eyes wander, kiss to him until he looks at you with both eyes and both ears. (Needless to say, he must be facing you at this point for this to work.) If he ignores your kissing, then jump suddenly in place, drawing his attention back to you. When he looks at you, remain quiet. If he won't look at you then get real active.

Basically, you have to give him a reason to hook on to you, and you do so by remaining quiet only when he is looking to you. If he won't look to you, then make him move his feet until he does.

Best regards,
Harry

[Susara]

Thanks so much for the advice. I feel like I'm constantly nagging him and irritating him; like I'm getting in the way of his relaxing and enjoying himself doing horsey stuff. But from what you say it seems that's just what I have to do, and he'll just have to learn that the way to have a nice relaxing time is to be 'there' with me. Is that the right way to look at it? Won't it turn out that he sees me coming and thinks 'oh no, not bombastic arrogant female again!'?

This stuff seems so straight forward when you read about it! :-)

[Harry Hobbes]

...he'll just have to learn that the way to have a nice relaxing time is to be 'there' with me. Exactly.

You see, he doesn't realize this yet. It's your job to teach him that if he hooks on to you and looks to you for leadership, then all will be well for him. He'll then look to you for his safety, and will be "with" you.
Won't it turn out that he sees me coming and thinks 'oh no, not bombastic arrogant female again!'? Only if you act like a bombastic arrogant female.

If you act like a leader, then he'll welcome your leadership.

You may not realize it, but you get to choose (and control) how the horse will perceive you. Decide how you want to be perceived, and then behave accordingly. (The horse does not suffer from, and is not subject to internal morals, pre-conceived notions, nor political correct attitudes. It can only respond to your behaviors.)

Keep in mind that you are (or should be) merely putting the horse to work (giving it a job to do) - you are not punishing the horse (unless that is your choice). What's the difference: The difference is in your attitude and your resultant behaviors: choose to train, and you will train; choose to be bombastic and arrogant, and you will be so.

Best regards,
Harry