The Importance of a Flexible Leadership Style

Connection is a two way street. To truly get along with a horse in shared partnership we need to have social leadership skills. If we can keep adjusting our leadership style to be more flexible, understanding and intelligent, the horse is more willing to form a loyal partnership and put greater effort into his performance. It’s all about being present in the moment and fully awake and knowing exactly what to ask a horse to do that starts the dance, backed up with the belief that your horse will perform and then letting the horse perform without holding him to it.

A good equestrian rule to follow is that resistance should almost never be met by force, when training a horse. When you lose the dance you must recreate the connection rather than using pressure. Slowing things down gets rid of the need for force. You can make a strong demand without force when the horse feels responsible and knows the rules. Horses love rules and boundaries and even enjoy having them enforced. The most important part about enforcing a rule to a horse is to use proper timing and attitude. You have to see things from the horse’s perspective. But first you must be able to get the horse to feel responsible; so in correcting the horse they respond with an “oops, sorry!” attitude without feeling intimidated in a negative way. It is my intention to guide people to the skills required that are not available in books on the finer points of leadership and understanding the mind and nature of horses.

When I am with a horse he has my full attention. It relaxes a horse. I keep my focus on my horse constantly when he is in my charge at liberty and with tack. My constant focus gives clarity in how to lead my horse properly and it will help you with your horses as well.

Here’s an example on how I manage to keep a connection with my horse. If a friend comes up and talks to me, I don’t give them as much attention as I give my horse whilst I am speaking. If I am talking to someone, I expect my horse to stand quietly and to be focused on me from the attention I give to him. My focus is to keep him quiet while I am talking. If I cannot do that, I excuse myself and talk later.

Many times, I see people letting a horse pull on the rope in order to get to some grass to eat whilst they are talking and then turning around and hitting their horse for not paying attention. It is too much to ask a horse to stay focused if you are not focused. It would be better to take the horse to the grass and let him eat rather than allowing him to pull you there. This way you stay in charge of your horse. Look ahead to what decisions your horse might make and be strategic in how you gain his cooperation rather than reprimanding him.

A consistent connection from maintaining your focus and leadership will result in a horse constantly staying connected to you. This state of being helps a horse to trust his handler. Allowing a horse to pull on a rope will result in you having to use strong rein aids when riding. What happens on the ground will affect how the horse rides.

Carolyn Resnick

Horsemanship from the Ground Up