Difference Between Respect and Dominance with your Horse

In this article you will find a question from Dee in California about the difference between respect and dominance with your horse.

Dee writes:

To me, as a new horse owner, there is a fine line between gaining respect and being dominant. I really don’t understand the difference. When I try to get my horse to stand still by the round pen railing so I can mount him bareback, he either steps backwards or swings his hindquarters away from the fence. Every time he moves away, I send him out for a few more rounds in each direction and then finally he remains still so I can mount him. I feel like I am scolding him for not doing what I asked him to do. I don’t enjoy making him work so hard, but it seems like it is the only way to accomplish what I am trying to do. My horse is like a puppy. He is my new best friend and he is adorable. I have never been happier. Do I have to be dominant in order to gain respect?

My answer to that:

You are right, having your horse do laps in the round pen until he gives up is the wrong approach as a way to mount him, as it is a form of punishment. I bet he doesn’t like you any better for it either.



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Comment by Ashley on June 30, 2010 at 3:55pm
I think this is a very interesting question that many green horse owners (meaning new horse owners, or perhaps owners with greenies as well as being new!) could benefit from. I'd be interested to see the opinions of different trainers or horse experts on this topic. Thanks for the post :-)

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