A Few More Basics----

   Lets talk about RESPECT !

    It is absolutely necessary that your Horse Respect you--and you him. Anyone who participates, or wishes to participate, with Horses, needs to drop any Idea that a Horse cannot hurt you, or will not hurt you.
   In my years with Horses, I have never been intentionally kicked by a Horse---which is not to say that I haven't been kicked AT !! What I am saying is that I have been around Horses long enough to understand the necessity of developing and maintaining an Alert Awareness when I am with Horses---especially when doing Ground Work. Its pretty simple-- a Horse is much heavier and far more powerful than a Human.
   As to that "Alert Awareness" I am speaking of, it all deals with learning how a Horse Communicates with his Body Language--Ear Language--and Eye Language. Understanding these nuance looks , movements, and twitches, can save you a lot of grief.

 
'HorseMaster' and "Tecumseh" jes' chillin'

     In the pic above, you see me and 'Tecumseh', my 4-year-old Leopard Appy, hanging out in the pasture. I want you to note both my posture and his. I am completely relaxed, and so is he. His muzzle is into my chest, and, if you look closely, he has a lip full of my sweatshirt. His head is up and his ears are pointed forward---he is enjoying the scratch I am giving him behind his jaw--and leaning into it.  I am also looking into his eyes and speaking to him softly. "Tecumseh" knows that I am 'his Human', and his Liping of my shirt is in return of my scratching his neck behind his jaw--a place he likes.  This is an example of the Mutual Grooming Behavior which Horses use with each other to re-enforce Bonds within the Herd. "Tecumseh" accepts me in Four, distinct, Ways--as a Member of his Herd--as his Special Human--as his Friend--and as his Leader (Boss Mare)
    There are those who would strongly disagree with me on the 'Liping'--as they consider any 'mouthiness' in a Horse to be a Vice.  I think that this behavior in Horses is mis-understood as an attempt to bite--which is an agressive behavior. I will NOT allow Nipping or biting . Holding a piece of your shirt or jeans in their mouth is certainly not a bite any more so than 'nuzzeling' (rotating the upper lip on you skin or clothes)-- and in fact is a kindered behavior.
    Another thing I want you to notice in the pic is where I am standing in relation to the Horse.  I have placed myself in a position which makes it difficult for the horse to kick me, and very easy for me to get out of the way quickly if I need to. Why would I do this with a Horse who knows me so well, and whom I have worked with since Birth-- whom I have bonded with --etc ?? Simple. Flies. Yea--Flies !  Its a habit I developed long ago based on the understanding that Flies and Biting Insects irritate the Hell out of Horses--who kick and swish and bite at them constantly. In doing this, Horses dont look to see whether you, or one of your limbs, are in the way of their feet-- and they are NOT going to. So, its a good Idea to position yourself in such a way as to be out of the 'line of fire' if your Horse wants to kick a fly off himself-- or turn his head to bite at one. Learn to Respect this Habit.
    Respect is something that you MUST develope within your Relationship with your Horse, and it MUST be Mutual.  It is easy to do and easy to keep up. It does require Time and it requires you to use Tough Love at times, to correct behavior that can become dangerous to your own safety and also that of your Horse. Breaches of dicipline and displays of bad behavior need to be dealt with IMMEDIATELY and Good Behavior should be rewarded just as Immediatly. By "Bad Behavior" I mean any form of Agression or attempt to over-ride your position as Boss Mare --as in any attempt to outrun you on Lead, drag you around, run over you, i.e., disrespect to your Personal Space and Safety. When a Horse threatens your Personal Space-- your best move is to get out of his way.
    By far, the very best way to avoid problems with your horse is to establish a Bond with him in such a way that your Horse understands that YOU are the Leader, and that without question or challenge. That Bond and Relationship Must be based on Mutual Respect and Love. Let your Horse be who he is, and be who you are, as well. Let your Horse Teach you to be as Alert and Aware as he is, as you Teach him the Peace of your own Heart.

Overview

   In future pages on this website, I will be using more pictures, as above, as examples of Ways to handle and Bond with Horses, and to further explain communications with Horses. Understand that the metheods I use take Time to develope. I cannot overstress the need for you to SPEND QUALITY TIME with your Horse !! By that, I mean -non-working, non-riding , Time; time just 'hanging out'--Time just 'Being" together. When Riding, or working a Horse in longe, you are re-inforcing the working bond --true-- but you are using the Language and Communications means tha YOU TAUGHT HIM.  In Hanging Out with your Horse and just 'Being' -- you are afforded the opportunity for him to teach YOU his own means of Communicating-- his Languages-- his Ways--and share his Life as a Horse with his Human. This is time which you, and he, will consider as your richest and most precious moments together. The Rewards ? Hanging or Working-- a tighter Bond-- greater Respect--better Working Relationship-- more co-operation--easier learning-- and much more fulfilling and richer ENJOYMENT of each other.

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