Understanding Your Horse

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 he will do everything feasible to leave the situation, by either leaving physically or dissociating emotionally. What dissociation means is that something traumatic has occurred so part of the animal's soul has left its body for a time period. Have you have ever seen a horse with a "glazed over" look, or they are panic stricken? A part of their soul will have left its body because it is no longer safe, given the situation. Human examples of this may include rape, physical abuse, or a physical trauma. There is a point where a person's life is so deeply threatened that he or he won't require to be in their body because the trauma can not be handled. This piece of them will usually return one time everything is safe, but it doesn't always. The horse is a sensitive animal and ought to not be pressured to the extent that he or he needs to leave. Since they have taken away the safety from the herd it is our responsibility to give them the safety they require, 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 revered.

Most horses are looking for a leader that will take care of them. Although the leadership role in a herd is stressful, a horse is not willing to hand their life over to "just someone." The individual that assumes this responsibility needs to be someone who can take care of the herd: not to own them, but to respect their likes and dislikes, and guide them in the areas they have trouble dealing with.
The horse is so concerned about its survival that he will check a who claims they are "boss." In order for you to be accepted as the leader, the horse will require 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 plenty of respect. Your horse needs to know in case you will lose your temper or give up on him. In case you do not follow through consistently, he will know that HE needs to be the leader. His life depends on it!

A quality that horses respect is truth. How plenty of times have you heard "leave your issues at the gate?" When you leave your issues at the gate other people may not know about it but your horse, who is sensitive, knows you are hiding something. He or he won't know what to anticipate and may not trust you. They will respect you more in case you show them what you are feeling inside, and they might even require to help you work through your issues. Keep in mind that some emotions are threatening to a horse, such as anger or uncertainty. It will help you a great deal in case you pay attention to how your horse deals together with your emotions.

Horses try to escape pressure, & learn from the release of pressure. This comes with their survival skills & can be used for training. 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, & when the horse moves in the right direction, the pressure is taken off. The faster the release, the faster the horse will learn that it is a lovely thing to do. It is something somebody can do. Here's the only trick. A person needs to feel with their heart, what the horse needs in regard to guidance, fun, & creativity. New skills & a pleasant ride (from both the human & the horse) can come from "play time" in lieu of from a schooling session.