Lessons from the dominant fearful horse personality

What I have learned from this personality is that because the fear issue influences the rider’s safety we tend to over focus on that issue. It is true that when dealing with a fearful horse you need to be a worthy leader and supply the courage for the horse. Your horse has to realize that it’s safe to experience new things when they are with you. It’s about paying attention to their fear reaction and knowing when to slow things down and let the horse process what he is experiencing . Many trainers do this naturally and the mutual trust is built. The problem comes when the owner can’t carry out the same level of confidence for the horse. Teaching the owner how to supply this leadership energy is necessary; many times this takes tapping into aspects of ones personality that one is not use to using.

One area that I feel is overlook is the dominant aspect of the horse’s nature. This part of the horse’s personality wants some self expression and choice in the partnership. We tend to over control this personality because we judge their willful nature. What I have found in working with these horses is that they tend to blow up with no indication that it was brewing. I feel that it is very important to give these horses opportunities to make a few decisions in the workout periods. It could be simple tasked like asking a horse to walk past something when they are ready and also in agreement to do it. This may require the handler to give the horse a few seconds to process what scares them. It’s about not overly forcing this personality but waiting for their cooperation. I had one horse that hated going to the left when I would circle him. I understood that it was physically difficult for him, but would ask him to do it with less and less of my influence. The point of partnering with the horse is observed when I come around and asked him to make the choice to turn to the left and then drop left rein contact. There is a hesitation on the horse’s part where he could go either way, to avoid or to make a choice of cooperation. It is such a great reward for the rider to know the horse choose to cooperate even though it was difficult for them. Reward for the horse is to be given by the rider. I tell them how brave they are and drop a hand to pat the wither. Most horses do want to please and they enjoy being told they are good. Use your voice and enthusiasm, it is very influential.

Barbaro What’s the Message?

Barbaro What’s the Message?

Do you know that when I asked quite a few of my horse friends what they thought of the Barbaro story that aired on TV many said they couldn’t watch it because it was too sad. And yes I agreed with them that it was sad and that I was emotional at the end of watching it, but what about the higher message? What about it touched my heart as truth? I had to think about this for a few minutes and I thought what is it about the special ones? There is a quality that you can feel from them and see in their eye. What some would call a presence. People loved Barbaro for what he inspired in them. His spirit was so happy to be here and doing the job of racing. Everyone loved him because he embodied qualities that we all strive for determination, enthusiasm, drive, joy and love, not only for racing but for living. It just felt good to be around him.

Just as Christopher Reeves was a true example of a superman for humanity, Barbaro represents a super horse for the horses, proving that horses are also more than a physical body. They are sentient beings with huge spirits that need to be treated with respect. There are always going to be the critics that didn’t agree with the decision to try to save Barbaro. But to me it was so comforting to see Barbaro’s owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson and this trainer Michael Matts make all their decisions from their heart. This included not only his battle with his injury and then decision to let him go, but his training and performance decisions.

Being in the show horse business myself, I have seen and been told by a few other trainers, that if you want a pet go get a dog. This mentality makes for a very stressed animal. How would you like to be in a relationship with someone who is emotionally shut down? There are a lot of unhappy marriages out there that have those dynamics. It doesn’t work there why would it work in a horse human relationship.

I am thankful to Barboro and his owners , trainer and handlers in helping to embody a paradigm that includes the performance animal being treated with love, respect and integrity , and allowing both the owner and horse to fulfill their purpose together.

Nancy Proulx
nproulx@adelphia.net
NancyProulx.com

change the perspective

As I went into the barn today to ride my horse. I noticed she had just been fed and had a pile of hay in front of her. She greeted me with a nudge and do you have a carrot for me? I decided to get a stool to sit on and just be with her as she ate. I sat and pondered how our relationship has changed over the years. She was comfortable with me in her space which brought up thoughts about the horse and owner I had worked with yesterday. This horse would lunge at her owner and sometimes bite her. What causes a horse to learn that behavior? Although from a horses perspective it's self protective , but from an humans perspective it's quite painful, not only physically but emotionally. This owner wondered why her horse would treat her so. She was not mean to her horse , she loved her horse.

I think the relationships become unbalanced when we overpower the horse with our prospectives and agenda's. What can my horse do for me ,rather than what can I do for my horse? How many of us come out from work stressed and just pull our horses away from their dinner without even asking them if that's all right? It is very important to spend down time
with your horse , just relaxing, or playing and feeling what they need in the moment. The
association has to be good for both parties. I find my horse is much more understanding when I do need to pull her in from pasture or work her around feeding time because I try to honor the balance between work and play.
Nancy

My first blog

Hi Everyone,
This blog thing is a new experience for me. Hope everyone will enjoy the conversation and interactions. I'm presenting some information on the horse human relationship at a clinic and would love to hear from you on your experiences with your horse/animals. My first question that Iwould like to stimulate you with is "What is the most important like lesson you have learned from your horse/animal?" I've had lesson in love does not conquer all. Boundaries are very important. Not only for safety reasons but animals also appreciate the ability to relax when they don't have to be incharge every moment. It's just good to let down in a safe space sometimes. I'm sure we all know about that.
Nancy