The Secret to Horsemanship: There is No Secret
I frequently get inquiries from folks reaching out for help with catching their horse, loading in the trailer, saddling and bridling issues, or unwanted and dangerous behaviors. They ask for "just a few pointers," or ideas on what they can do to fix their horse's problem.
The good news is people have realized they need help. The bad news is their perspective. Each of these scenarios is a symptom, not the issue.
They all occur because there has been a lack of clear communication, the concept of pressure used in a positive manner has not been established, and the horse's initial minor behaviors — communicating his discomfort, fear, insecurity, or anticipation — have been ignored.
The Behavior Is Not the Issue
The horse's behaviors are a reflection of his brain and emotions. They are often the result of a build-up of increasing stress, which eventually leads to the obvious moments of resistance. But that actual behavior is not the issue.
The way many folks word their questions frequently feels like they're expecting an answer about some "secret" — some way to interact with the horse so he suddenly complies with what the human wants.
If there is any "secret" to be shared, it's this: stop approaching horses as if they are standing by to serve the rider. They are not. They have their own emotions, confidence levels, and history with humans.
The Real "Secret"
So if there were any secret I would share, it would be this: those who want to be involved with horses need to take the time to educate themselves. This does not mean watching one set of DVDs and believing you have all the answers.
Any quality horseperson will tell you horsemanship is a continually evolving journey, even for the most experienced among us. Every horse has something new to teach the human. There is no "endpoint" in the journey of learning — and that statement disheartens many folks, because society has taught us that instant gratification is a positive thing. It is not. It creates the illusion of success, without the true commitment to learning knowledge.
Start With Yourself
If you are having issues with your horse, my best advice is to start with yourself. How much time have you put into your own education? Not everything you learn, or everyone you learn from, will mesh into how you interact with your horse. Perhaps it's learning what not to do.
The average pleasure horse enthusiast doesn't have enough hours in the day, nor enough exposure to a variety of horses, to achieve the skill-set they're striving for without reaching out to further educate themselves.
So as a starting point:
- Remove the self- or society-imposed expectations that you "should" be doing X, Y, and Z.
- Eliminate the pressures of past events and occurrences.
- Delete the critique from your vocabulary and replace it with a positive alternative lingo.
Then allow yourself the time and opportunity to learn — whether you have access to a variety of horse facilities and events, or you're limited to reading articles. Start to absorb information. Question the ideas, notice where you don't have an understanding or where you have misgivings, and probe further until you find clarity.
What About Learning From Videos?
I know watching horse trainer videos seems like an easy way to learn. Here are some things I've begun to notice, as the person who has often had to "fix" what someone attempted to emulate with their horse after watching a training video:
- A. Many horse instruction videos aren't taught with clear communication, so the viewer doesn't realize what they're missing.
- B. The action the viewer is trying to learn — trailer loading, for example — is often far down the path from the interactions and communication they should be starting with their horse. (Like people trying to write paragraphs without using a full alphabet.)
- C. Many videos teach in a clear-cut step 1, 2, 3 manner. This makes the information seem easily understood while watching. Then the person heads out to practice with their horse — and the horse offers a response not addressed in the video. Now what? They don't know, because they were trying to copy a task, rather than understanding how to present the necessary conversations to accomplish it.
When people are only trying to emulate what they see, they miss the mental concept of intention. They're not understanding the nuances of when the horse is asking versus telling. They're missing all of the necessary, pre-established "tools" and options in how they communicate.
10–15 Minutes a Day
I am very well aware there is limited time in our already hectic days. But if each horse enthusiast spent just 10–15 minutes a day specifically focused on learning — without the horse in hand — there would be massive improvements in their awareness, understanding, and approach.
Yes, it may take time to sift through all the different training philosophies and mentalities out there. My suggestion: when you hear, read, or watch horse-related information, consider whether it falls into any of these three categories. If so, perhaps it isn't offering the positive support you'd like to incorporate into your own horsemanship.
- Is it ego-based versus supportive of the horse?
- Is it about "making" the horse, or challenging him to get "it" right?
- Is it focused on task accomplishment, irrelevant of the horse's behavior?
Enjoy the Journey
And last but not least — I'll be cliché — learn to enjoy the journey. Learn to quiet your mind and be present in the moment. Appreciate what you're learning, when you and your horse are trying, even if it feels like you're searching and experimenting. Acknowledge you and your horse's efforts.
In the end, this is what the real "secret" to growing into a quality partner for your horse really is.
— Samantha Harvey, Alternative Horsemanship™
The Remote Horse Coach
If this way of thinking speaks to you
Join me for an Intro Consult is a conversation. It's an opportunity to discuss where you are with your horse, ask questions, and learn to pinpoint what aspects of your equine partnership need to be addressed to create positive, long-term changes.
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Alternative Horsemanship™