Which of the following is NOT a guideline for training horses?

The statement about expecting the horse to have reasoning powers similar to humans is indeed not a guideline for training horses. Horses possess their own unique forms of intelligence and learning capabilities, which are fundamentally different from human reasoning. While horses can learn certain tasks and may respond to cues in ways that seem intelligent, their thought processes and understanding of their environment are not equivalent to those of humans.

In contrast, positive reinforcement promotes a positive learning environment, encouraging horses to repeat desirable behaviors. Being consistent with training cues helps horses better understand what is expected of them, as animals typically thrive in environments where the signals they receive are stable and predictable. Gradually increasing training difficulty allows the horse to build confidence and skills progressively, minimizing frustration and maximizing the learning process. Thus, the other choices reflect sound training principles, while expecting human-like reasoning from horses does not align with effective training practices.