Teach, Don't Expect

"Riders, and too many trainers, often expect horses to just figure skills out. A young horse doesn't even know how to turn a corner in an arena-he walks down the long side next to the fence and stops when the fence turns a corner in front of him. The same is true for grooming, saddling, and mounting a young horse; for traversing a pole on the ground without touching it; for riding on forest trails or in indoor arenas;"

"Toss a child into the playground melee, and she will figure out how to share toys, converse with peers, and play together. Later, throw that young teen into adolescence, where she will fumble around to discover how to date, how to study effectively, how to excel at a sport, how to choose supportive friends. But why not teach her? Trial and error in dating, for example, can be a wicked game-one that isn't harmed by a little instruction in advance."

Expecting others to 'figure out' desired behaviors is common and inefficient. Horses and humans often lack innate knowledge of routine tasks; young horses need instruction for turning, grooming, saddling, mounting, and negotiating obstacles. Trainers and riders sometimes rely on experience alone, prolonging learning and testing patience. Children and novice riders are frequently placed into situations where trial and error must teach sharing, social skills, dating, study habits, and athletic success. Intentional teaching can save time, reduce anxiety, build supportive bonds, and provide kinder guidance. Many people seldom receive direct instruction about interpersonal expectations or motivational cues from family, employers, or clients.

Read at Psychology Today