Forming An Understanding

By Stevi Weissbach.

If you’ve ever gotten frustrated with your horse, generally it would be because of lack of understanding. Understanding your horse’s natural instincts to be exact… Knowing how they react to situations they see as dangerous, what they look for in a leader, and some qualities horses appreciate. We would create a better relationship with our horses if we try to understand their intentions.

The horse is a simple animal. It is built, bred, and brought up to survive. This means that if the horse is uncertain or feels threatened, he or she will do everything possible to leave the situation, by either leaving physically or dissociating emotionally. Dissociation is when a being’s life is so deeply threatened that a part of the beings soul feels it is not safe to stay in the body because the trauma could not be handled. Human examples of this may include rape, physical abuse, or a physical trauma. This piece of them will usually return once everything is safe, but it doesn’t always. The horse is a very sensitive animal and should not be pressured to the extent that he or she needs to leave (either physically or emotionally). Since we have taken away the safety from the herd it is our responsibility to give them the safety they need, where they can look to us for guidance. With this guidance they will return to their bodies because they trust you to keep them safe and respected.

Most horses are looking for a leader that will take care of them. Even though the leadership role in a herd is stressful, a horse is not willing to hand their life over to “just anyone.” The individual that assumes this responsibility needs to be someone who can be trusted with a horse’s life. Not to own them, but to respect their likes and dislikes, and guide them in the areas they have trouble coping with.

The horse is so concerned about its survival that he will test the person who claims they are “boss.” In order for you to be accepted as the leader, the horse will need to trust you, your judgment, and your respect for him or her. When a horse tests you, keep in mind this is for survival purposes, no matter what he is doing. This is where you can earn a lot of respect. Your horse needs to know if you will lose your temper or give up on him. If you do not follow through consistently, he will know that HE needs to be the leader. His life depends on it!

Horses dislike uncomfortable situations, and will learn from the release of pressure. In order to communicate, pressure is put on the horse, whether it is a mare shaking her head, guidance from a halter or a dressage whip, and when the horse moves in the right direction, the pressure is taken off. The quicker the release, the faster the horse will learn that it is a good thing to do. It is something anyone can do. Here’s the only trick. A person needs to feel with their heart, what the horse needs in regard to guidance, fun, and creativity. New skills and a nice ride (from both the human and the horse) can come from “play time” instead of from a schooling session.

Offer them your heart and with it, tell them of your spirit, your dreams, and what you want from the relationship, and they will tell you what they want if you are listening quietly. Horses are meant to be equals, as another spirit journeying in a world we have to share. We need to take the time to truly convince them that we too can “play” with trust, respect, and fun. On this two way street of respect we can form the most amazing relationships we ever dreamed possible.