Re: RC: Preventing Herd Bound Behavior?

["Colleen Kirkpatirck" <polaristhewonderhorse@hotmail.com>]

I totally agree when I bought Polaris 8 years ago ( WOW long time ago!!)
He was totally herd bound you could'nt ride him alone without him flipping 
out.
After working with him and devloping a bond he never had a problem like that 
again. I think it comes down to them becoming to think we are the herd 
leader and anything we do with them will not hurt them Thats what they 
think. Bonding with your horse is everything.
Happy Trails
Colleen K.


>From: Vallonelee@aol.com
>To: 4horn@home.com, Ridecamp@endurance.net
>Subject: RC:   Preventing Herd Bound Behavior?
>Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 13:48:32 EDT
>
>I have dealt with my share of horses that acted herd bound.  After a period
>of training where they are taught to focus on the rider, this "herd
>boundness" disappears.  I really feel that this tendency shows up when the
>horse is not bonded to the rider and therefore does not trust the rider.
>When the relationship develops, and the horse and rider face situations in
>which the rider acts like an appropriate leader, the horse relaxes because 
>he
>is with "the boss".  I have four horses and when I ride one, the others 
>left
>behind make a racket.  However, the horse I am riding never utters a peep 
>and
>never looks back to the other horses.  I believe they are confident because 
>I
>am the "Boss Mare" and what better, or safer, place to be than with the
>leader.
>
>JMHO.
>
>Lee


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