The training piggy bank is a popular metaphor. You put in money via positive interactions and regular positive reinforcement, so that when you need to withdraw, there’s some trust and goodwill to withdraw from.
In other words, one bad interaction or moment won’t ruin your whole relationship.
But some trainers use this metaphorical piggy bank in a very different way to others.

The same way some people are frugal and others are a bit more ‘spend happy’.

While a frugal horse trainer will slowly and deliberately make contributions to the trust account, the spendy trainer will eye off the worming tube and choose their own convenience over their financial security.
From the small number of individuals who usually train with R+, more and more have been advising not to ‘bother’ training something like worming, because it happens so infrequently that it’s not worth it.

That withdrawal from the account is ‘worth it’ for the convenience of not spending their time training. Especially if the person agists their horse and may not be able to see them as often as they’d like already.
Instead of viewing it as a large time commitment for a small payoff when the worming withdrawal ‘isn’t that bad’ anyway - perhaps it’s better framed as just one more opportunity to expand your horse's behavioural repertoire.

What do you need to train to successfully worm your horse without force?

You need to be able to stand close to your horse. A nose to hand target could be helpful. Your horse will need to open his mouth and accept the worming tube. Can you think of any other scenarios where this kind of behaviour could be helpful?

Don’t withdraw from the account ‘because it’s only a small amount’ and it doesn’t happen too often. Instead, look at it as just one more opportunity to invest in you and your horse's future. With small, regular deposits into the piggy bank, you’ll end up with a horse who won’t side eye you as you enter the paddock, but will instead look to you in times of stress, when account withdrawals are an unavoidable emergency - and your bank balance won’t be JUST hovering in the positive - you’ll have enough in there to weather whatever situation life throws at you!

Written by Madi Holmes & the PPGA Equine Sub-Committee