the H3 METHOD
H3 stands for H raised to 3 and is a formula for a reward-based training method
which creates safe and happy individuals.
In the H3 method, we focus on educating people in the horses' language and behavior and in understanding how much we influence them. The method also increases the understanding that the horse must be as prepared as you are for a task. We divide the training phases into three stages, where the first stage Horse to Horse deals with the Horse and its basic security, previous experiences, feelings and needs. In the second step, the horse uses its language and its signals to make contact with the human, we call that step Horse to Human. In the third and final step Human to Horse, it is our turn to learn Horse languge and speak back to them.
The goal is always a cohesive team, no matter what you want to do,
we believe that a good foundation and a good relationship is a prerequisite.
REWARD-BASED EDUCATION
Which creates happy and confident individuals
HORSE TO HORSE
The flock is the hub
When a new horse is going to spend time with us, the herd is the one who takes care of the horse to begin with.
In the herd we have Mentor horses, and it will always be one of these that the new horse chooses and turns to. The mentor horse then follows the horse in all training stages as a security.
We humans usually come in after about three months. For the first time, we are just on the outskirts and studying how the new horse communicates with the others in the herd. It teaches us a lot about the individual and how to approach when it's time.
This is the first step, Horse to Horse, in what we call the H3 method.
HORSE TO HUMAN
The horse's language and signals
When a horse has been at the Academy for about three months, the horse usually has landed. The herd has settled down, and now he or she is often curious about us!
During the first time, we have studied the horse at a distance to see if he or she can (not obviously!) Communicate with other horses and if so how he or she actually do it. There are, in fact, individual differences.
For example horses, who always have been on their own and have not practiced interacting with others, often have difficulties, they simply do not know how to do it. But most of the time there is a varied and interesting language expression, and they will use that language towards us as well.
This is the second step, Horse to Human, in what we call the H3 method.
HUMAN TO HORSE
Learn Horse language
When we start working with the horses, we have gained a good idea of what kind of individuals they are. We have learned, without really disturbing them, what signals they use to communicate with others and how they do it. Now it's time to build a relationship, and we always do it from the ground,where we let the horses be completely free, so that they feel they can express themselves freely. Our task is to learn the individual's special language and to use it to be able to talk back to them.
Now it's also time to find out what this particular horse likes, and what he or she does not like. We work with reward-based training, but a reward does not always have to be candy. We encourage the horses to become independent and to trust their own ability, and we would like to have discussions with them about our training approach! For us, it is most important that they always think that what we do is stimulating, varied and fun, and our goal is for the horse to feel good when we finish a training session.
This is the third step, Human to Horse, in what we call the H3 method. All horses are individuals with different experiences, feelings and needs. In this third and final step, we always let it take the time the horse needs. Once the foundation and relationship are set, it is our job to ensure that the horse is mentally, physically and technically prepared for its task. Mentally, it can be about not being afraid of equipment and environments, but also about being able to handle the energies and behaviors of different types of people. Physically and technically, it is about making the body strong and enduring to avoid injuries. Good things take time! And it may not always be as you have thought from the beginning. It usually gets better.