Listen and Learn an excellent Training Aid

Equine enthusiasts are passionate about their horses. The contact; training, riding and for some, the ultimate is competition; is deemed to be pleasurable and enjoyable. It becomes very frustrating, not to mention disappointing, if your horse is difficult to train. Particularly if your horse behaves badly on competition day.

For successful training sessions your horse needs to be receptive mentally and physically fit. Attentiveness to the task of learning new skills requires calm concentration and memory on the part of the horse in other words ‘he must have a brain’. Enjoyable training sessions are attained through your horse learning the skills required and being able to carry out those skills under various conditions, with compliance. The level of skill required varies from task to task, but for top competition the required skill levels and strength normally takes many years of very repetitive training before they are accomplished.

Before any successful training can be carried out basic requirements for your horse need to be met, namely, the correct nutritional requirements, the necessary fitness level, physical soundness and a cooperative mental state.

The capacity and willingness to learn new skills depends on the ease at which one can learn. If a horse is excitable or hyperactive they tend to lack the necessary concentration. Dressage horses in particular need to remain calm and concentrate on the tasks to persist. Some horses like humans just have a lower level of retention and become frustrated stressed by the learning process. Others learn rapidly and become bored.

The learning process may be hindered if your horse has a difficult temperament, excitable and resistance to training, the underlying reason is often unknown but some believe it may be linked to foaling trauma. Seasonal behavioural changes could be possible toxin exposure; particularly mycotoxins, changes in grass sugar levels and hormonal fluctuations.

Further complications could be experienced if your horse encounters muscle fatigue or cramping and soreness or pain due to new work levels or movements. The muscle action of exercise generates lactic acid which under normal circumstances is controlled through removal by the liver. Lactic acid is believed to be the main culprit in muscle soreness post exercise and is inextricably linked to cramping, tying up and muscle fatigue.

Often around seven to ten days after a horse is bought into work either in their initial training or after a break from training, they become sullen, grumpy and uncooperative. This could be due to muscle fatigue as explained above or the enjoyment of a different experience has worn off and they prefer paddock life, to the regimen of training, resenting the change, becoming quite sour and uncooperative. At this stage the trainer persists hoping to work through this phase, often this is the case but it can take varying lengths of time and during the intervening time losing valuable time, staying still or even moving backwards in the training process.

Listen and learn can be used for horses that lack concentration and require assistance to help them learn more quickly, particularly useful for those beginning thier training. Beneficial for horses that lack vibrancy or those that suffer from general fatigue.

The herbs in Listen and Learn have been chosen carefully for their ability to work synergistically to assist the training process and maintain a cooperative mental state:

Bacopa : Bacopa has traditionally been used to improve cognitive function and increase intelligence. Scientific studies in animals and humans over the last 20 years have confirmed its ability to increase learning ability and retention. We have chosen Bacopa as it not only improves memory, learning ability it also has an indirect calming effect.

Siberian Ginseng : an excellent adaptogen reducing the effects of stress, improves learning capabilities and an immune support.

Schisandra : is also an excellent adaptogen reducing the effects of stress, improves learning capabilities. Schisandra is very useful in conditions such as Tying up (azatoria), muscle cramping, soreness and fatigue: The muscle action of exercise generates lactic acid which under normal circumstances is controlled through removal by the liver. In an intense exercise regime the levels of lactic acid rise to the point where the liver becomes so overworked it is unable to control its level. This increase in lactic acid or lactate levels changes the pH of the tissues causing them to become more acidic and eventually reducing their ability to continue to work. Lactic acid is believed to be the main culprit in muscle soreness post exercise and along with diet is inextricably linked to cramping, tying up and muscle fatigue. Schisandra is the herb of choice here as it stimulates the hepatocytes, supporting Phase 1 and 2 detoxification. Schisandra is also believed to support the anaerobic phase of the respiratory process ultimately reducing the production of lactic acid through improving anaerobic efficiency. Schisandra is also useful for removal of other toxins through its action of supporting liver function and the detoxification process.

Licorice is yet another adaptogen working through its role in supporting the adrenal system. This is particularly helpful in the management of stress.

Nettle supports the body’s elimination pathways, helping to prevent the build up of toxins and is also an excellent kidney tonic. It is also very nutritious supplying an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

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