Building Confidence & Understanding Above Our Horses

When you understand the horse’s nature as a prey animal it becomes clear how and why they are so highly sensitive and perceptive to distance and approach. They are quick to notice things that they deem potentially threatening and respond differently depending on how and where it’s approaching from.

It is useful to know that horses have 7 areas, or zones, of space.  Each zone influences the horse differently.  If you want to see a diagram and learn more about the zones and how they influence the horse in detail click HERE. For now, here's a quick overview:

• Zone 1 is the nose and everything in front of it for one mile.

• Zone 2 is from behind the ears to the break in the withers.

• Zone 3 is from the break in the withers, includes the front legs, back and ribs.

• Zone 4 is the hindquarters and hind legs.

• Zone 5 is the tail and everything behind it for one mile.

• The Delicate zone is everything that fits inside the halter (eyes and ears).

• Zone 7 is the personal space of the horse (can vary based on the horse).

THEN we need to consider the strata of the zones.  Similar to the horse's personal space, it's the area around (above, below, to the left and right, front and back) of each zone.  

Have you noticed how your horse might be okay with the flag held out right to his nose (Zone 1) but become quite skeptical or fearful once that flag is on the ground or up in the air, below or above Zone 1 respectively?  

When we ride our horse we are sitting on Zone 3.  Our heads and hands are above it, our seat and legs are on it, and for some taller riders their feet are below it.  ;)  If I am developing a young horse, helping an unconfident or reactive horse, or just advancing a personal horse I like to spend time helping them understand both Friendly (rhythmic motion/stimulus with no intention) and Driving (rhythmic motion/stimulus with intention) Games from above.

Have you ever been riding a horse and wanted to take your coat off, unwrap a sandwich, or even wave at a neighbor and the next thing you know your horse has practically jumped right out from under you? Well, I have. It’s no fun feeling like you’re riding on eggshells where everything has to be just so, you have to be nice and quiet, no unzipping zippers, no undoing velcro, no sneezing or else you could really startle your horse.

I love one of Pat Parelli’s sayings, if you want your horse used to blackbirds get them used to eagles. Meaning don’t sneak around your horse. Instead do more around and above Zone 3 than you might want to while riding. Then when something does happen in the saddle your horse is less likely to overreact because you’ve been practicing for much bigger things. For example, getting your horse to the point you can ride around shaking a tarp or a flag means that you’ll likely be able to take your coat off while moseying down the trail without a problem.

Building your horse’s confidence overall builds rapport. When she knows she can trust you and your tools and toys without question, and your communication has reached a point that you can help her through tough spots, you’ll have really accomplished something.

So, how do we do this? Rather than try this while sitting on your horse, or if it’s a colt that hasn’t been backed yet, you can begin creating and growing confidence while you stand or sit on something from above them. Once they are not just tolerating but accepting of what you’re doing from there you have a pretty good chance of it working out well from the saddle.

I usually sit on a secure fence so I am above Zone 3 with my horse on a 12' Line.  I then play Friendly and Driving Games that I have taught on the ground first and test from above.  Being that I am sitting on the fence it holds me very accountable not to push my horse too far, too fast.  It would be quite easy to have a loose horse or get pulled off the fence if I didn't truly honor the horse's timeline, had a good application of feel, timing, and balance, and hands that close slowly and open quickly on my rope. Alternatively you can try this standing on your mounting block for something less tall than a fence. When you get really good you can try it while standing on a barrel, on the fender of your trailer, or on a trampoline… get creative!

Comment if playing in different strata of the zones is a new concept for you.  If it's not, let me know how you've been expanding the communication between you and your horse in different areas around her body! 

Interested in learning more about the Zones of your horse, how to build your horse’s confidence and acceptance with the Friendly Game, or the quality of her yielding and response to a suggestion with the Driving Game? Click my link HERE to join the Savvy Club or contact me to set up some one-on-one coaching! When you’re in the Savvy Club check out Level 1 On Line Friendly Game: Zoneology and Level 3 On Line Theory: Strata of Zones.

Parelli Zones of a Horse

Do you know what the Zones of a horse are?  They're different sections of a horse that will influence his movement either forward, backward, left, right, up, or down.

Zone 1

is the horse's nose, and everything in front of it for a mile.  Pat always says "nose, neck, maybe the feet".  The nose is usually the first part of the horse to touch an object or go under, over, or between something.  The first part of the Touch It pattern is helping the horse become confident putting his nose on something.  We direct the horse on our Circle Game by sending his nose (Zone 1).  We encourage horse horses to follow Zone 1 when we're riding.  Zone 1 is the first part of the horse that we use for direction and building confidence.

Zone 2

is from right behind his ears all the way down to the break of the withers, where your neck string would sit, is Zone 2.  Any pressure here will cause the horse to turn or back up.  Often times more dominant, confident (Left Brain) horses have trouble yielding Zone 2.

Zone 3

 starts at the break of the withers and encompasses the horse's front legs, shoulders, back and ribs, ending at the point of the hip.  Everything from your neck string all the way back to his flanks and hips is Zone 3.  Pressure in Zone 3 will cause the horse to go forward or sideways.  Building confidence in Zone 3 is important because this is the Zone you will be in when you're riding.  That is why we encourage playing a lot of driving games On Line in Zone 3 - it helps prepare the horse for a leader (you!) in that space of his body.

Zone 4

starts at the point of the hip and encompasses the hind legs, hips, and rump ending at the tail.  Pressure in Zone 4 usually sends the horse forward or yields the hindquarters.  Horses that lack confidence or are fearful of the human have a more difficult time yielding their hindquarters (Zone 4) because it causes them to cross their hind legs (a very compromised position for a prey animal that relies on flight for survival) and face the human with both eyes.  Having good control of Zone 4 is paramount for safety both on the ground and in the saddle.

Zone 5

is everything from the tail and behind it, for up to a mile in distance.  Pressure in Zone 5 sends the horse forward.  A presence in Zone 5 can generate curiosity and cause the horse to turn and investigate if they do not feel threatened.  Building confidence in Zone 5 is also important for safety both on the ground and while riding, and often helps horses that have bucking issues.  

Remember when you're in Zone 5 to be aware of the Kick Zone and always stay safe!  Your Carrot Stick is 4 feet long and is a good indicator of a safe distance to stand when in Zone 5. 

Delicate Zone

is everything between the nose band of the halter, the eye area, up over the ears, ending where the halter sits right behind the ears.  This is a sensitive and delicate area and should be treated with care, you should not use your Carrot Stick in this area.

Helping your horse develop confidence in each Zone not only improves overall safety and control, it will help bring your communication to new heights and cause your horse to have more comfort and enjoyment during his outings with you.

Did you know you can play the Seven Games in ALL 5 Zones?  It's a great way to build your creativity and your horse's puzzle solving skills in each Zone!

Need ideas or support for how you can play with your horse in different Zones?  Click HERE to sign up for the Savvy Club and get access to thousands of horse training videos and articles, access to Pat and Linda, support, ideas, interactive task lists, and all the back issues of the Parelli Savvy Times and Savvy Club DVDs!