Gaining respect
Jun 9th, 2008 by Carolyn
Hi. Today’s blog post is a question from Dee in California about the difference between respect and dominance with your horse. Dee writes:
To me, as a new horse owner, there is a fine line between gaining respect and being dominant. I really don’t understand the difference. When I try to get my horse to stand still by the round pen railing so I can mount him bareback, he either steps backwards or swings his hindquarters away from the fence. Every time he moves away, I send him out for a few more rounds in each direction and then finally he remains still so I can mount him. I feel like I am scolding him for not doing what I asked him to do. I don’t enjoy making him work so hard, but it seems like it is the only way to accomplish what I am trying to do. My horse is like a puppy. He is my new best friend and he is adorable. I have never been happier. Do I have to be dominant in order to gain respect?
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Hi Carolyn, Thank you for your response. I ordered The Waterhole Rituals about a week ago, maybe it will arrive today! It’s cold and rainy and perfect for snuggling down with a great DVD.
Marion
You must have been reading my mind. When I look around and find that the training is not working, it is from trying to train when the magnetic connection is not shared between horse and human in the moment of the request.
People learn how to present themselves better when working at liberty because they can clearly see when the connection is lost when the horse leaves them rather than chooses to follow their lead. When the connection is in place in the moment of a request, it is a horse’s nature to follow your lead automatically. It is the whole secret to my work.
My rule of thumb in the training of horses is anything that I ask of a horse, I do not ask until the horse is happy with me in the moment, with the environment and respects me as his leader. The horse must see that my communication makes sense to him. I never take anything for granted. What ever time it takes, I take it.
The Waterhole Rituals develop and prepare the horse daily for a working connection and attitude and for the horse to have a desire to follow my lead and perform.
Thank you for your response
Carolyn
I really liked this post. Carolyn, I have the impression that you check in regularly with your horse to see if the ‘magnetic connection’ is present, if it is , then you proceed, if not, then you stop the training and refocus on regaining it. Would this be the case?
Marion,
Australia
hi dee and carolyn
interessting question and answer
yes Dee, try to feel what makes you happy, when you train your horse and you somehow dont feel satisfied or happy with yourself try another approach.
i dont like punishing my horses, but i demand respect and fairness, i love rewards – lots of rewards (treats)
instead of giving your horse more rounds in the pend, try more carrots when the horse stand longer still where you want it
sometimes you might need a helper who give the rewards while you mount and then when you are up give treats, so if the horse stand still he gets the rewards only when you are up
good work!
br stina