Re: [RC] Understanding the horse partnership - Barbara McCrary
Maybe a better example would be a
zebra. They are an equid, and I understand they are extremely difficult to
train, if at all. I believe Virl Norton once trained a pair, but from all
I hear, they do not want to be trained and can be dangerous. And
they probably have the same herd hierarchy system as the horse.
Subject: RE: [RC] Understanding the horse
partnership
I'm not so sure that I did miss her point. And a Moose does not
have the same herd heirarchy as a horse, they're loners most the year,
independant and not dependant on a herd for survival. However, should
you come across a moose to be trained, I will accept that challenge.
I am not challenging anyone's ability to train or partner with a
horse...simply stating that I disagreed with the broad statement made about a
horse's intents.
Again, Dodie, you missed kat's point. The whole point of training
is to teach the horse that it is IS in his best interest to want to do what
you ask.
I know kat, and she can train circles around most folks on this list,
myself included. Her horses are well-mannered at events, and do pretty
much exactly what she asks. But that's the point. She has
trained them, and the only reason that she or anyone else can do so is
because the horse allows it and works well as a team member with a
person.
If you don't believe her statement, go try to train a
moose.
Heidi
I am still somewhat surprised (although I suppose
I shouldn't be) by the number of people who are sufficiently conceited
about their own power that they think horses have no say in what they do.
Your horse is bigger, stronger, and faster than you are...he does exactly
and only what he damned well pleases. Horses only comply with our own
requests because they are good natured
~~~~~~~~~
Whew...I
ordinarily wouldn't get into this thread except this statement sent me
rolling across the floor in a fit of laughter. The equines that I
have been training for the past 25+ years must be of a different
branch on the equus tree...because all that I've learned about horses in
those years is that horses [in general] are quick to allow the smarter
stronger horse in the herd take control and lead for survival
purposes. It is this nature which gives us the ability to train
them as a riding/driving/working partner with little effort.
While there are gregarious independent individuals who "do exactly as they
please" and no amount of training will change their behaviors and
attitudes, those horses are rare and do not make suitable partners for
human/horse relationships.
And over the
years, the horses I have trained have trained me as much as I have trained
them. Any rider who doesn't believe that statement should hang up
his chaps and get a goldfish.
Dodie
"Smile and infect your opponent.?
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