The Journal of Animal Consciousness Vol 1, Issue 2 Vol 1 Issue 2 | Page 46

positive one. There appears to be a widespread belief within these behaviorism circles that shaping an expression or even a physical position in an animal will result in an automatic change to a ‘happy’ condition. In natural horsemanship circles this translates into a horse who is a ‘willing partner’. This positiveness, however, is defined from a human perspective, not the animal’s, and we get caught in the trap of superficial emotions and false interpretations. The animal will not lie, it is our incorrect interpretation of their display of behavior that gives us false feedback. For the sake of achieving that gold standard in behavioristic training – compliance – we do not take the time to observe the living being standing in front of us, nor consider the underlying causes of the immediate emotive expression. This has the consequence of not seeing the internal affective state and can lead to ‘explosive’ behavior or even worse for the animal, a state of becoming ‘shut down’ emotionally. How many times have you heard a person describe a horse that suddenly ‘blew up’ (referring to behavior)? With a thousand pound animal, this can have dire consequences for anyone standing nearby; and then, of course, then horse is labeled ‘crazy’. The flip side to that is an animal that displays all the symptoms of learned helplessness, even migrating into PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Unfortunately in the horse world, this state is many times viewed as a compliant one and thus desirable. In dog training it is quite common to force the dog to remain in an unnatural state, such as in the ‘down’ or ‘stay’ mode when the dog is actually quite agitated. There is a sequence to the manifestation of behavior that exists in all organisms, called the four-beat cycle: tension/charge/discharge/relaxation. If the animal is already in a tension/charge state and then forced into relaxation without being allowed to go through the discharge phase, there can be negative consequences for the psycho-physiological, or the affective state and can ultimately result in negative valence – namely fear and aggression. Over time, this suppression of the emotional response cycle has the potential to manifest itself in physical illness. If we can learn to give our animals space to allow them the chance to utilize their own cognitive and sentient abilities we can find they will be happier and healthier animals. About the Author Sarah L. Reagan I am a researcher in Goethean animal science with a primary interest in the human/animal relationship; I have a doctorate in natural animal science/ naturopathy (KCNH) and am currently working on a MSc in Human/Animal Studies (HAS) at Bircham International University; I hold the Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Homeopathy (BIH/USA) and am a registered homeopath through NUPATH. I am currently on the Board of Directors of the Society for Animal Consciousness and am the equine instructor with American Council of Animal Naturopathy. My first book, Equine Nutrition: From a Species Appropriate Perspective was published in Feb 2013; I have written several unpublished articles, primarily on equine health issues. Having been a small organic commercial farmer, I understand sustainable growing methods and believe that in order to sustain and nourish the animal directly we have to create a sustainable cycle from cradle to grave of all the food components including the growing methods; I recognize that the sustenance the animal takes in and transforms into self has a direct affect upon all aspects of outward projection (including behavior) of the animal, and thus it becomes imperative that the animal receive nutrition that is natural and species-appropriate. I am an ardent advocate for a biocentric approach to all aspects of animal welfare – and particularly that of horses. Contact Sarah Reagan: [email protected] 46 © The Society for Animal Consciousness 2016. Issue 2, Vol 1, April 2016.