The link between horse and man is a continuing one. But dealing with pets is normally simpler and more rewarding when you both have love and awareness. To be able to link to horses, you will want to understand their pychology, in order to anticipate horses’ reactions you have to appreciate how they think and why they behave in certain ways. A decent understanding also develops confidence on each side-horse and human.
When placed in a a threatening position, the horse’s natural reaction is to run, and for that reason its perspective on life is one of defenselessness instead of attack. As human beings, how we act in response and sense in different placements can depend on our previous upbringing and understanding. This is also the same with your horse, so meticulous early handling and training are so important.
We shouldn’t ever count on a horse to go against its natural instincts, i.e., never again be cautious or uncertain – but with good tuition we can restrain these instinctive behaviours and show your horses, in a more productive manner, that a distinct set of circumstances or item needn’t be feared.
Horses by nature are gregarious herd animals, who are welcoming to the inclusion of other horses, and differing companions and humans. You will even find tame stabled horses will establish their own order of command.
It might be that the lead stallion at the end of the stables calls loudest at the time of feed or, as several riders report, the older horse kicks the door trying to get acknowledgement first when a rider walks into the stables first thing.
It is a well known fact that horses will react better to positive encouragement from you or your trainer when trying to overcome their natural flight intincts. ‘Breaking-in’, a phrase formerly associated with a young horse’s first conditioning to support a rider, is now often substituted with terms like ‘starting’, which infer far less the implication of domination.
From children enjoying working with horses as therapy to the most famous of competition riders, a common association – that of trustfulness and understanding between a horse and its rider – is blossoming.
The horse looks at its human associates as a member of their ‘herd’ in the herd pecking order, It is the rider and trainer’s combined intellectual capabilities which give them the upper hand. It is for this reason that the horse and human partnership has functioned very well for several thousand years, and is a reason why people can control horses that are much more powerful than themselves.
All horse riders when beginning riding will often be told not to be nervous. Though at the beginning the rider should be introduced to riding on a more steady, experienced horse and therefore be more calm, the consideration that horses require reassurance and protection is something to bear in mind and cultivate from the foundation of a riding career.
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