Loading ...Understanding Horses
There’s a new blog on the block called HorseHandler for horse behavioural problems, written by equine behaviorist Steve Thompson and is a jolly good read.
In his about me section Steve says “My work involves teaching horses and their handlers how to get around behaviour issues without conflict. My ‘motto’ is Compassion, Consideration, Cooperation because I believe that the use of any other training theory just creates resentment and frustration for both horse and handler. I have been working as a trainer for about 8 years and am a Recommended Associate of Kelly Marks”
Having spent my life around horses it is so refreshing to read a blog that dispels the daft myths surrounding equine care and handling. From the ‘just stick a pelham in’ bunch to the ‘he’s just lazy, whip him again’ brigade.
This is a snippet from his latest post:
“As a species we humans are so good at talking, but how often do we really listen to each other let alone our horses. We all know someone who has said “my partner never listens to me” or “so and so doesn’t understand me”.
You would not believe how many times I’ve heard the phrase “my horse ??????? for no reason at all”. When ever I hear this I have to stop my self from laughing out loud or rolling my eyes, neither of which are good for business.
Horses are ‘re-actionary’, they react to events around them, generally by running away (spooking), fighting us (kicking, biting etc) or in our eyes misbehaving (bucking, spinning etc), they don’t process a thought with all it’s variables and consequences as we humans can.
If a horse spooks it’s because it’s instincts have kicked in and gone into survival mode. If a horse fights (as described above) it is generally either in pain or discomfort and gone into survival mode. If a horse ‘misbehaves’ (as described above) it is again generally in pain or discomfort and gone into survival mode.
If a horse spooks he/she is saying to you in the only way they can “I’m not a hundred percent confident in your ability to see me through this situation”.”
To read the complete post on listen to your horse just follow the links, it is a great blog with lots of useful down to earth equine information.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I really enjoyed reading the horse handler blogg – great advice as well as a very clear and positive attitude towards helping our equine friends understand us better.