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Re: I worked with Andrew today for the first time

Posted by Racer on November 24, 2007, at 13:32:02

In reply to Re: I worked with Andrew today for the first time, posted by rskontos on November 19, 2007, at 15:43:53

My "Bitch-Mare-From-Hell" -- a/k/a Jellybean -- used to get upset with me if I came off. Fortunately, I was never hurt coming off her, but she was the nuttiest horse when it happened. I think it scared her more than it scared me, so she'd get mad at me for scaring her.

Horses, in my experience, really do not want to hurt us. They may want to get away from someone, out of fear -- ask me about when my horse kicked the shoer in the head -- or they may just want to have some fun and not realize that losing a rider may be a consequence; they may be trying to say something, which maybe we don't quite understand; but it's a very rare horse who actually intends damage to someone. Some horses are almost comical, the way they want to "apologize" for knocking off a rider.

From a horse's point of view, being a part of the herd is the most important goal in life -- that's where safety lies. We become part of the herd, and we outrank them in the herd -- or we should outrank them, for many good and just reasons having to do with brain/body ratios and opposable thumbs -- so they want to have our approval, they want to have us on their side. So, when we come off, they're sorry and they're confused. How can the big strong herd leader come off the little tiny horse?

I'm glad you worked with him again. I'm sure it was good for both of you.

Have you tried round pen work? It really can make a difference, both with the relationship between you, and with just having a chance to see his reactions to the process. You can learn a lot about a horse that way. Plus it's nice to get a chance to do that whole animal-observation thing, they're fascinating critters.

Sorry for the tangent -- it's the lecturer in my soul coming out...


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