Post by Oryx on May 27, 2014 15:37:06 GMT -6
Ferus Training
"FERUS" ;; wild, fierce
"FERUS" ;; wild, fierce
Introduction
The Ferus Method is meant to be employed as part of the process of training any Tamed Horse. It focuses on maintaining a horse's predatory instincts while manipulating them to form a bond of dependence between horse and trainer. This method requires patience, but the end results are well worth the work, particularly for those wishing to participate in hunting trials.
Stage 1 - Acclimatizing
Before any serious training can begin, the trainer and horse must become familiar with one another. This can be accomplished by spending time with, walking, and grooming the horse. Any horse that has been captured from the Outskirts must also be acclimatized to its new surroundings, as unfamiliar stimuli can disrupt the training process. Before moving on to Stage 2, the trainer must be comfortable leading the horse. Additionally, the horse should not demonstrate any violent tendencies towards its trainer. Other training guides can provide more information on these fundamental steps, as the focus of this method is on communicating and hunting with a horse.
Stage 2 - Priming
Since humans and horses are separated by a language barrier, a new method of communication must be established in order for the two to work in tandem. Setting up a system of rewards and punishments will allow a trainer to encourage desired behaviors and eliminate inappropriate behaviors in the horse. One of the most common rewards is a morsel of food. A horse instinctively views food as a positive thing. However, the danger of relying solely on food as a reward is that the horse may attack its trainer in order to forcibly take the food it knows the trainer carries. It is recommended that the trainer associates the reward of food with a secondary reward, such as a whistle or a pat on the neck. In the beginning, food should always be paired with the secondary reward. As the horse grows accustomed to the secondary reward, food should be used less and less often, until the horse begins to look forward to the secondary reward. Particularly stubborn horses may always need the occasional food reward in order to reinforce their training. As for punishments, a common action is to cause some sort of physical discomfort for the horse, either by whipping or some other means. For trainers who prefer to avoid physical punishment, a secondary punishment can be given meaning through the process used to create a secondary reward. In time, the horse will view this secondary punishment, such as stomping or an angry shout, as a threat of physical punishment and will learn to cease its current behavior when its trainer makes that threat. Some horses respond to physical punishment with violence, and some horses do not require any form of punishment in their training. It is up to the trainer to determine what system of rewards and punishments will work for their horse.
The Ferus Method is meant to be employed as part of the process of training any Tamed Horse. It focuses on maintaining a horse's predatory instincts while manipulating them to form a bond of dependence between horse and trainer. This method requires patience, but the end results are well worth the work, particularly for those wishing to participate in hunting trials.
Stage 1 - Acclimatizing
Before any serious training can begin, the trainer and horse must become familiar with one another. This can be accomplished by spending time with, walking, and grooming the horse. Any horse that has been captured from the Outskirts must also be acclimatized to its new surroundings, as unfamiliar stimuli can disrupt the training process. Before moving on to Stage 2, the trainer must be comfortable leading the horse. Additionally, the horse should not demonstrate any violent tendencies towards its trainer. Other training guides can provide more information on these fundamental steps, as the focus of this method is on communicating and hunting with a horse.
Stage 2 - Priming
Since humans and horses are separated by a language barrier, a new method of communication must be established in order for the two to work in tandem. Setting up a system of rewards and punishments will allow a trainer to encourage desired behaviors and eliminate inappropriate behaviors in the horse. One of the most common rewards is a morsel of food. A horse instinctively views food as a positive thing. However, the danger of relying solely on food as a reward is that the horse may attack its trainer in order to forcibly take the food it knows the trainer carries. It is recommended that the trainer associates the reward of food with a secondary reward, such as a whistle or a pat on the neck. In the beginning, food should always be paired with the secondary reward. As the horse grows accustomed to the secondary reward, food should be used less and less often, until the horse begins to look forward to the secondary reward. Particularly stubborn horses may always need the occasional food reward in order to reinforce their training. As for punishments, a common action is to cause some sort of physical discomfort for the horse, either by whipping or some other means. For trainers who prefer to avoid physical punishment, a secondary punishment can be given meaning through the process used to create a secondary reward. In time, the horse will view this secondary punishment, such as stomping or an angry shout, as a threat of physical punishment and will learn to cease its current behavior when its trainer makes that threat. Some horses respond to physical punishment with violence, and some horses do not require any form of punishment in their training. It is up to the trainer to determine what system of rewards and punishments will work for their horse.