“Join up” is a horse training technique often discussed among young equestrians, particularly those inspired by the Heartland book series. While the books introduce the concept, they often lack the detailed explanation needed for a thorough understanding. This has led many to wonder, “How do I join up with my horse?” This method, also referred to as hooking on, latching on, or round penning, is a valuable skill for any aspiring horse trainer, but it’s surrounded by misconceptions that need clarification to demystify the art of “horse whispering.”
Join up is a method utilized in a round pen designed to capture a horse’s attention, foster trust, and encourage the horse to accept handling by the trainer. The core principle is to overcome a horse’s natural fear and flight instincts, leading to their willing acceptance of the trainer’s presence, touch, and guidance. Mastering join up lays a crucial foundation for all subsequent training endeavors.
The process begins with the horse inside a round pen or a similar enclosed space. The trainer initiates by asking the horse to move away, typically using a longe whip or flag stick to encourage the horse to circle the pen. A young horse will likely respond by trotting or cantering, instinctively seeking an escape from the trainer and the perceived threat of the whip. After several circles, the trainer will signal the horse to change direction. Close observation of the horse’s body language is key here. As the horse realizes there’s no escape, it will begin to seek ways to alleviate its stress. Signs of this shift include the horse flicking its ears towards the trainer instead of the pen’s perimeter, stopping and lowering its head to sniff the ground, or turning towards the trainer and approaching. These indicate the horse is engaging mentally with the trainer rather than solely focusing on escape.
At this critical juncture, the trainer must alter their body language from an aggressive posture to one of friendliness. This involves lowering the whip, ceasing the swishing motion, extending one hand towards the horse in a welcoming gesture, and stepping closer to the horse’s head. If the horse reacts by turning and running, the trainer should revert to the aggressive driving technique, guiding the horse through several more circles, again watching for signs of acceptance. If the horse remains and accepts petting and touch, the trainer can commence touching the horse all over, thereby building trust. Should the horse turn away or become distracted by something else, such as other horses or grazing, the trainer should re-initiate the driving process, encouraging another circle before resuming the petting. This teaches the horse that proximity to the trainer is the desired state. While the horse is free to leave, doing so results in being driven to trot another circle, quickly teaching it to stay close and even follow the trainer. A horse trained in this manner should be easily caught and haltered throughout its life.
A significant misconception surrounding join up is its universal applicability. Horses, like humans, are individuals, and their past experiences deeply shape their behavior and thought processes. Most young colts or horses with limited prior handling tend to respond well to join up. However, horses that have been ridden for many years and are generally gentle may not grasp the concept, as they likely possess no fear or mistrust of their handlers. Similarly, horses that have experienced negative handling or abuse might never fully “join up,” as their fear levels may be too deeply ingrained. Therefore, join up is not suitable for every horse, nor is its success guaranteed. Many observe a trainer working with a horse and mistakenly believe that the horse’s willingness to follow signifies the ultimate goal of “bonding.” This is not necessarily true; the horse’s compliance often simply means it has accepted its current situation and learned to respond to the trainer to avoid being driven away.
Genuine bonding with a horse is a distinct and more profound connection than what join up achieves, and it cannot be accomplished in a single afternoon with a few simple steps. True bonding can take several years, and for many, it may only occur with one or two horses in their lifetime. It is often summarized by the sentiment: “Wet saddle blankets are the foundation for making a true bond between you and your horse.” Bonding develops through extensive time spent with your horse, collaborating on new tasks, sharing diverse experiences, and navigating both successes and failures as a cohesive team. Horse training pro offers further insights into building such relationships.
Tagged as: colt starting, horse advice, Horse Training, horse training advice, horse training methods, horse training tips, join up, round pen, round penning, training colts
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