Wisdom of the horse- How it applies to new recruits

Shawn Walker, MBA, Owner of Lone Guardian LLC

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Horses carry within them the wisdom of the ages, a profound understanding that has been shaped by their long history of coexistence with humans. This innate wisdom is not merely a collection of instincts or behaviors; it embodies a rich tapestry of experiences that can make their interactions with us both fun and deeply interesting.

Horses possess an ability to teach us valuable lessons that resonate well beyond the equestrian world, offering insights that can be directly related to our own lives and challenges. I want to take a moment to share one of those transformative experiences that taught me invaluable lessons about communication, patience, and understanding.

Over the years, I have observed countless individuals embarking on the journey of purchasing a horse. Each prospective owner meticulously considers various factors such as the type of horse, its color, size, and temperament. These elements are undoubtedly important in the selection process; however, when it comes to the critical aspect of horse training, it often seems to take a backseat in their considerations. Many people operate under the misconception that training a horse is a straightforward endeavor, believing that their enthusiasm or self-proclaimed expertise qualifies them as trainers. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Those who aspire to foster a long, healthy partnership with their horses typically recognize the value of enlisting a professional trainer who possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to guide the horse’s training effectively.

Once the new horse is acquired, the owner, after having applied their own version of “training,” often decides to take the horse to a specialized trainer. This professional trainer works diligently to instill a specific “skill set” that the owner desires for their horse. Throughout this training process, the trainer dedicates time and effort to develop the horse's abilities, ensuring that it learns the skills effectively and safely. You might observe the owner checking in periodically, perhaps with a sense of pride or anticipation.

However, what often goes unnoticed is the trainer’s simultaneous lack of work with the owner to enhance their understanding of how to train and communicate with the horse. When the horse reaches a certain level of proficiency, the trainer will demonstrate the skills they have cultivated with the horse, showcasing the results of their hard work. At this point, the owner may feel confident, believing they can easily replicate the trainer's success because they consider themselves a “trainer and skilled rider.” They take the horse home, and this is where the true adventure begins.

As the owner mounts the horse to practice the newly acquired skills, a surprising shift occurs. The horse begins to behave differently than it did under the trainer's guidance. Over time, frustration mounts as the owner and the horse become increasingly at odds with each other. This escalating tension often culminates in a battle of wills, where both the owner and the horse become upset and confused. What started as an exciting venture into horse training can quickly devolve into a struggle, leaving the owner with a horse that resists their commands and displays signs of defiance. This scenario can lead to a host of other issues down the line, which are important to address but will be saved for another discussion.

So, what exactly went wrong? The crux of the problem lies in the communication—or lack thereof—between the owner and the horse. Unless your horse possesses the extraordinary ability to speak, like the fictional character “Mr. Ed,” they communicate in a completely different language, one that is conveyed through body language, subtle cues, and physical contact. There are additional factors that contribute to this communication barrier, but that is a topic for another time. During the horse’s time with the trainer, a unique line of communication was established between the two, allowing the horse to learn and respond effectively. However, when the owner takes over, they often lack the understanding of the specific cues and signals that the trainer used, which creates a conflict. The horse, unsure of what the owner wants, becomes confused and resistant.

The moral of this story is clear: it does not matter how much money or time you invest in training a horse; without clear and effective communication, the outcome will likely be disappointing, leaving both the owner and the horse frustrated and unfulfilled.

Now, how does this insightful lesson relate to the realm of law enforcement?

When a department hires a new recruit, they send them to the police academy, where their skills are developed, and their knowledge is expanded. The academy provides updates to the department on the recruit’s progress, which starts to sound remarkably similar to the earlier narrative. Once the recruit completes their training and returns to the department, they are typically paired with a training officer for a period of hands-on experience.

However, instead of the training officer engaging the recruit by asking, “What did you learn at the academy?” and working to align their communication and expectations, the training officer often states, “Forget everything you learned at the academy; I will teach you the ‘right’ way.” This scenario mirrors the experience of the owner with their horse after the formal training has been completed. While the recruit may have the potential to navigate various situations, the question remains: what was the purpose of the police academy if their training is dismissed upon return? If you have not encountered this disconnect, consider yourself fortunate.

How can we initiate meaningful changes to address this issue? Here are several actionable ideas that an academy can consider implementing:

• Annual follow-up training sessions specifically designed for field training officers, department training officers, supervisory staff, and command staff. This training could encompass:

  • Updates to modern teaching methods that reflect current best practices.

  • Introduction of new academy programs that align with evolving community needs.

  • Changes to essential programs that may require refreshing to ensure relevance.

  • Opportunities for training officers to walk through the academy and observe some of the new training techniques in action.

  • Facilitating peer discussions on innovative ways to integrate foundational training skills into everyday operations.

• Establish outreach programs aimed at fostering communication between the academy and the department’s training and supervisory staff. These could include:

  • Providing links to showcase any new training initiatives and elucidate the rationale behind the changes.

  • Creating opportunities for agencies to conference call during peer discussions to share insights and experiences.

  • Encouraging the exchange of new teaching methods and strategies among training officers to enhance overall effectiveness.

This was taken from article written I had written in 2019, and re-edited:

Walker, S. (2019). Wisdom from Horses: Its relationship to officer training [Newletter]. International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards & Training, 30(3), 59-60. https://www.iadlest.org/Portals/0/Jul%2019%20draft%20Nwsltr%20final%205.pdf?ver=2019- 07-11-091441-043