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RE: [RC] Being the Herd Leader - Jim HollandSubject: [RC] Being the Herd Leader Despite many people's contention to the contrary and all the constant repetitions in the popular press (and here on Ridecamp, I might add), one of the first steps to safe horse handling is to teach your horse, "I am NOT a horse, and therefore, may not be treated as such. Your relationship with me will be different from your relationship with all your horsie friends." If the "be the herd leader" concept helps you to establish a working relationship with your horse, then by all means use it. But if it doesn't, that's okay....because it is a bullshit concept, and I guarantee you, no matter how you may be decieving yourself, your horse does not think of you as another horse....and a good thing too. I have seen the way that horses treat each other, and I want no part of that kind of a relationship. :) kat Orange County, Calif. I totally disagree. IMHO, it is NOT bullshit...it's a very important concept, and if you ignore it, you are missing something very important in the relationship between human and horse...something it took me years to understand and appreciate. I have worked with horses for over 50 years...my first pony-horse at age 8, working at NC State Agricultural barns, boarding barns, through many disciplines and many horses. Like most, I started off stupid...it's a wonder I didn't die. Through observation, working with a lot of different types and breeds of horses (and owners), and studying the methods and techniques of natural horsemanship clinicians, I learned a lot, discarded the things that didn't work for me, and adopted the things that did. It's an unusual day that goes by when I don't learn something new. Arabians were a revelation to me...their intelligence, gentle dispositions, and willingness to please...they have taught me a lot. Horses will never learn "human"...you must learn "horse"...and they DO treat you as another horse...how strongly that occurs depends on how much time you spend with a specific horse/herd. It's more obvious in smaller herds. Horses are strongly empathic and communicate in ways we still struggle to comprehend. They respect strength, and respond to pressure when it is applied in ways they understand. Weakness and timidity make them fearful. You teach by making it easy to do the right thing and difficult to do the wrong thing...they same way a lead mare teaches. For example a mischievous youngling will be chased out of the herd to live by himself on the perimeter. To be part of the "herd" he must learn the rules...enforced by the HERD LEADER. I could go on...but enough said. You go ahead and be a "human" to your horses if you like. I prefer my horses to treat me as a HORSE herd leader, not a stupid human with whom they can't communicate in their own language. The STARTING point of my training is to teach my horse that "I will demand the same respect from you that you give to any herd leader. You will not kick me, bite me, invade my space or show any disrespect in my presence". Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic...who had rather "politely" be with me than anywhere else. :) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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