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Question:
I just saw an
article video on YouTube by another recognized trainer suggested
that, basically, horses are entitled to their space and we should
not just barge into their stalls but accommodate them. What is your
take on this?
Answer:
There are many
good and well-known trainers who have demonstrated their talent by
the handling of the horses they work with. Sometimes questions like
this get down to philosophy. In this area, I like to think of the
nature of the horse and always remember there is a pecking order.
When I approach a stall, a corral or any type of enclosure, and I
when I open the gate I have to squeeze my way through because the
horse doesn’t move, I consider that a lack of respect. Again, this
is my philosophy and it is not a right or wrong. However,
considering natural horse principles, that behavior tells me, the
horse is attempting to be the leader. If I am to be the leader, the
horse needs to move out of the way.
We do not have
to be rude or obnoxious in requiring the horse to move. That in
itself can create another set of problems. I just did a presentation
on the Bay Area Equestrian Network (BAEN) teaching stall manners.
When I approach the stall or corral, I want the horse to back away
from the door or the gate. This allows me to enter safely. If I
don’t ask the horse to move away and I finesse my way through the
gate, I am putting myself in danger. I have seen videos where the
horse is very quiet natured but something startles it. I always
think about what could happen.
When working
with horses, we always want to be looking ahead of the situation and
thinking about what could happen. We all know that horses have a
natural flight instinct. Once the flight instinct is engaged, a
horse does not care if you are standing in the way. For our own
safety, we must teach the horse to respect our space but we must
also continue to be alert.
Secondly, the
question, “should horses have their own space where we do not
tread?” I don’t believe in that philosophy. When I am paying board
for my horse, paying for the hay, I think of it like raising a
child. I provide my child’s food and his room, however I have the
right to go in. It doesn’t mean I disrespect my child or his space,
but I am entitled to go in and out. Once my child pays his own
board, then he can have his own personal space. But, with a horse it
is a matter of safety. The horse must respect you wherever you are,
including the stall.
I have heard
many times: my horse bit me for the first time, my horse kicked me
for the first time. It usually occurs in the horse’s space, the
stall, paddock or corral, because it is a manifestation of the
horse’s attitude. Once the horse shows an attitude, it is not good
for your safety and it shows you do not have a good relationship
with the horse. The horse must trust and respect you. As I
understand the behavior of horses, there are two choices, we lead or
they lead. If you accommodate a horse and let that horse be in
control in his space, it is a safety issue for you. Also, the horse
will also lose respect for you in other areas.
Over the years,
I have seen people in the corral with their horses doing all kinds
of things. The horses follow them around like puppy dogs. That is
good and it is something magical but it is a very small percent of
horses that will do that. Also, it does not mean the horse has
respect for the person. For a long time I believed that to be the
leader of the horse, the horse had to follow me. That is fine
philosophy-wise because it makes sense. Practically, it is not
functional. On three different occasions, when I was leading a horse
behind me, the horse spooked and actually knocked me over. The last
time I was hospitalized with a concussion.
I have never
had a horse here at the ranch that disliked me because I taught it
to respect me in its stall or because I controlled the environment
of the stall, corral or pasture. In fact, the opposite is true, we
actually establish a stronger bond because the horses have learned
to trust me.
Charles Wilhelm
It’s Never Ever the Horse’s Fault
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