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Building That Vital Connection with Your Horse, part 2
In my previous blog post, we looked at how the interactions wild horses use within a herd to maintain harmony and unity can also be used by us humans to help develop a horse’s character in the same way.
Now let’s look at the different personality types within the society of wild horses and how that applies to our relationship with horses and what we can learn.
In nature, the spectrum of the equine personality goes from “submissive” to “dominant” but at the top of the social order we find the “leaders”, one male and one female, who all members of the herd follow and respect. The strongest instinct in a horse is to follow a leader. However, when the horse perceives a lack of leadership, he has a natural tendency to want to lead.
A fundamental concept for me is that every horse is an individual and should be treated in a manner that suits his own personality. So for example, submissive horses need their confidence built and dominant horses have to acquire good manners and respect for humans. It is extremely important to keep their dominant nature intact but at the same time, teach them good behavior.
Lead horses normally need minimal shaping or none at all because they are the natural caretakers of the community. Working with them is often a pleasure because they naturally have the social skills and desire to fit in. In general, lead horses are looking for a job to do and for this reason, need to be handled with respect.
One constant with all types of equine personality though is their response to human aggression. If the horse is in an open space, this response is flight. If the horse is cornered, it is a defensive attack but then ultimately resigned submission, which you see quite often in round pen situations. Such an experience could influence in a very profound and negative way the horse’s nature and this can be play itself out in his behavior and performance.
When we reprimand a horse harshly, the connection between horse and rider is lost. At this point the training should be stopped and the quality of the connection re-established. If we look at the word dressage, it means to train a horse in the moments of harmonious connection. The correctional use of the whip and the spur would break that harmony. If a horse can feel a fly, he can feel an aid of the same lightness. Neither the spur nor the whip can help step you into the magic with a light heart. By developing a horse’s character to fit in harmony with you, training and performance become a harmonious dance.
My Method, based on positive feedback, aims to develop five different qualities in the human-horse relationship: a working bond, trust, respect, strong focus and a desire to learn and perform. These qualities are not always there and need to be reaffirmed daily before asking our horse to perform. When these qualities are present however, a horse will follow your leadership naturally.
In future blog posts, I will talk to you more about my seven Waterhole Rituals and how they can help you in your relationship with your horse.
Carolyn Resnick
Liberty Training for Your Horse
Now let’s look at the different personality types within the society of wild horses and how that applies to our relationship with horses and what we can learn.
In nature, the spectrum of the equine personality goes from “submissive” to “dominant” but at the top of the social order we find the “leaders”, one male and one female, who all members of the herd follow and respect. The strongest instinct in a horse is to follow a leader. However, when the horse perceives a lack of leadership, he has a natural tendency to want to lead.
A fundamental concept for me is that every horse is an individual and should be treated in a manner that suits his own personality. So for example, submissive horses need their confidence built and dominant horses have to acquire good manners and respect for humans. It is extremely important to keep their dominant nature intact but at the same time, teach them good behavior.
Lead horses normally need minimal shaping or none at all because they are the natural caretakers of the community. Working with them is often a pleasure because they naturally have the social skills and desire to fit in. In general, lead horses are looking for a job to do and for this reason, need to be handled with respect.
One constant with all types of equine personality though is their response to human aggression. If the horse is in an open space, this response is flight. If the horse is cornered, it is a defensive attack but then ultimately resigned submission, which you see quite often in round pen situations. Such an experience could influence in a very profound and negative way the horse’s nature and this can be play itself out in his behavior and performance.
When we reprimand a horse harshly, the connection between horse and rider is lost. At this point the training should be stopped and the quality of the connection re-established. If we look at the word dressage, it means to train a horse in the moments of harmonious connection. The correctional use of the whip and the spur would break that harmony. If a horse can feel a fly, he can feel an aid of the same lightness. Neither the spur nor the whip can help step you into the magic with a light heart. By developing a horse’s character to fit in harmony with you, training and performance become a harmonious dance.
My Method, based on positive feedback, aims to develop five different qualities in the human-horse relationship: a working bond, trust, respect, strong focus and a desire to learn and perform. These qualities are not always there and need to be reaffirmed daily before asking our horse to perform. When these qualities are present however, a horse will follow your leadership naturally.
In future blog posts, I will talk to you more about my seven Waterhole Rituals and how they can help you in your relationship with your horse.
Carolyn Resnick
Liberty Training for Your Horse
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Comment
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Comment by Jennifer Lamm on January 14, 2010 at 11:57am
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Oh good, I thought I missed the rituals... I am going to do them... I can't wait to learn more with and about my horse through your method, thanks for blogging....
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