Leading You're Horse
18 September 2013
When your walking past a nice grassy area, do you offer to stop so he can have a few mouthfuls before you continue? Or are you constantly trying to keep him from doing just that? If you walk past that grass without saying ''yes lets eat" does he willingly continue to walk with you? Or does he toss his head and pull you around and over to that grass?
If you stop and change directions, does he stop and do so aswell? Or does he decide to go his own way? When you come to a bridge or stream, doe he cross it confidently with you, perhaps after having a little look and checking back with you? Or does he shy and refuse to follow you over it? Does he respect your space bubble as you should also respect his whilst walking? Or does he crowd and push you about?
When we lead him, do we do something he enjoys? Or do we always lead or “drag" him from point A to point B because we enjoy whats at point A and B? Does he look to you for leadership and companionship and trust you in a unfamiliar situation, allowing him to have a slack line without him passing you, pushing you etc? Or are you so afraid he will do all those things you try and hold him back?
Again we should always be looking for feedback from our horses. Does he want to follow us or does he think his ideas are better? We should always understand his ideas and why he has them, well atleast you should certainly try! If he dosnt follow you or he walks over you etc, you have a problem.. whom is leading whom?
If the horse does not see you as his comfort and safety zone in which he can go to if unsure, than he will be taking on that role himself.. this meaning you come second in a situation where he feels he need to look out for No 1 (him). Resulting in a run over or dragged human most often.
We lead by example. Everything we do with our horses and the emotions we bring to the stables with us will reflect in how he see's us. If we show him understanding and provide him with safety and comfort before we do food (treats), he will "love" us all the more.
" Nothing forced or misunderstood
can ever be beautiful ."