"Winning the Fight?"

I was always told that I was never ever ever ever in a million years to let a horse win a fight. Whether that fight be to go over a jump or side pass or whatever, I ALWAYS had to win. Now that I look back on this, it sounds like these people were just sore losers! Anyhow, I was always questioning two things:

1. Why are we having to fight with our horses?

2. Why aren't we listening to what our horse is telling us?

I was riding a Quarab who was friendly, sweet and generally a good, solid pony. My coach told me that we would start jumping. After countless refusals (Combined with the typical response, "Kick him! Kick him!") I started thinking that maybe Rain wasn't ready, maybe he was hurt, maybe, maybe... But my coach just stated, "He's being a but-head. Do you want a whip?" I never forgot the feeling of loss of control and that huge fear of losing a fight.

Soon later I started getting into alternative training and I want to quote two REASONABLE horse people: Alexandra Kurland and the Duke of Newcastle!

Alex says that fear is just common sense in disguise. If I am afraid, there is a totally legit reasoning and I should examine that before moving on.

The Duke of Newcastle says, and I quote with some added parts, "If one way doesn't work and your communication becomes a fight, RECOURSE TO ANOTHER METHOD."

Please don't try and pick fights with your horse. Remember, if he does something "bad" then it's either your fault or the fault of bad tack or something else! It is NOT your horse. Besides, do you really want to be the quick-fix type?

(Taken with permission from the www.yourfriendtheclickertrainer.blogspot.com)


Comment:

Thank you for sharing your experiences. This kind of thing happens too often to many people. Thank goodness you followed your heart and understood there is a better way to communicate with our equine friends. Horses try to teach us all the time. The question is, "Are we listening?" Sadly, I feel it's not often enough!

Elaine Polny
Training Horses Naturally