by: Katelyn Kent
We are not horses. As much as we try to act like them or speak like them, horses know we are not horses. They are not fooled by our fantasy. Yet, humans continue to fancy themselves as the leader of horses. Clinicians have made good money teaching their rendition of the idea. There are as many explanations as there are clinicians. I believe one of the reasons there is so much debate about leadership, is that by nature, horses and humans understand it differently. It is very difficult to take a human concept, use it on a horse and expect him to easily understand what is expected of him.
When horse lovers are told by numerous experts that in order to be effective, they must take on the leadership role with a horse, many tend to get perplexed because so much is left to individual interpretation. Some people try to either act like the “alpha” horse, get tough, dictatorial or emotional. Attempting to be a horse is unrealistic, it is not very often that a person needs to get tough with a horse, dictatorship seldom offers a positive result and getting emotional will most likely end up as a bad deal for the horse and a worse one for the human.
It is my belief that humans and horses would best be served if we left leadership of the herd as horses understand it, to the herds choosing. The leadership job has always been reserved for and occupied by a horse. Although horses sometimes disagree as to which horse is up to the job, if a human were to throw his hat into the ring, horses would still choose a horse. It is a perfect system and horses function optimally within its boundaries. Most importantly, this is how horses characterize leadership.
In many instances the words lead and guide have been viewed as interchangeable when working with horses. On some occasions that may be true. I believe that understanding the suggestion of guidance as separate from leadership can help people have positive effect in their relationship with their horses. Maybe the human idea of guidance is close enough to what a horse can understand that it can bridge the gap between leadership from a human standpoint and that of a horse’s. If we then prefer to label it leadership, I am sure the horse will not mind as long as we are clear on what it means to a horse as opposed to what it means to a human.
It takes a different kind of listening to hear the voice of the horse. If we are to truly interested in considering the horse and his requirements, we would be looking to understand him on his terms in order to help guide him through ours.
From a human perspective, the leader always goes first like leading a dog on a leash or pulling on a horses rein. (Encarta Dictionary) Conversely, guiding a horse shows him the way by going with him, all the while looking out for his best interests and wellbeing. Both parties are allowed to question, make mistakes and have a say, but in the end the guider decides which direction to go.
Horses need us to help alleviate the stresses inherent to coexistence in the unfamiliar human world into which they have been placed. Whereas guidance by definition can lesson stress in a horse, leadership as we understand it can increase it. Guidance is what horses ask for in every interaction we have with them. If we keep responding from the human leadership perspective, instead of one that horses appreciate, we cannot be truly successful in reducing their stress. When horses are under undue stress, it is difficult for them to understand and accept the tools they need to comply with our wishes. The horse/human relationship indeed suffers.
Exclusive of the confines of his physical characteristics, only the hands that guide him limit a horses potential. Horses are willing to do jobs for us, but it most important how we do the asking. Although we can be relatively successful at getting horses to do what we want them to do by “leading” them, it will not likely transcend coercion as a matter of degree to the place of harmonious partnership unless we are also willing to trust ourselves to guide and trust our horses to accept guidance. Even on the best of days, a human cannot lead a horse to water willingly, if he doesn’t want to go; forget about making him drink. Why not guide him toward the trough and then allow him to choose what he wants to do about it?
The following is an illustration of using guidance to help a horse through the common but sometimes fearful situation of crossing water.
Problem:
In this instance, my horse and I had to cross a stream in order to do a liberty demonstration in front of an audience and a camera, in a field adjacent to the far bank. Below are photos of that crossing. Keep in mind that this horse has walked across many streams. He has crossed this one numerous times. It is also significant to note that it was important for both of us appear clean and professional to the observers and for the camera.
Look at the first photo. Notice the obvious stress in my horse as demonstrated by his unwillingness to move forward. Before reading on, write down how you might handle the situation given the same circumstances. Now read the rest of the article and compare your notes with my solution to the dilemma.
Solution:
{Photo 1: When I felt the slack or float leave the rope, I looked for the horses reflection in the stream to assess his stress level. I could feel and see that he was anxious. I did not need to look back at the horse. That action by a human blocks a horse from forward movement and would serve no good purpose in this case. After retreating to a place where I felt that he was comfortable, I allowed him to settle for a moment.}
{ Photo 2: This scene demonstrates our second try. Notice he is still nervous. However, I chose to not look back or hesitate, but stayed on course; clear in my intention. There was no thought, emotion, force or fear on my part that the horse might balk. I simply offered him an opportunity to come with me and moved on.}
{Photo 3: My horse gave the stream a try. His attempt was not exactly what I had hoped for as I ended up soaking wet and freezing cold for the demonstration, but he gave it his best shot and I praised him for it. The best that I could do to guide him was to feed him as much rope as he needed and stay out of his way. Anything else might have blocked forward motion, increased his stress and sent the wrong message. It was not pleasant for me to be splashed with icy water, but the fact that he made the choice to negotiate the stream showed me that there was a marked reduction in his stress level.}
{Photo 4: This view demonstrates me guiding my horse at his shoulder, back across the stream. Notice he had one ear on me and the other on the stream. You can observe by looking at his body that he was relaxed.}
Tips to Remember
1. I got clear about my goal; crossing the stream. Included in the goal was the concept of reducing stress in the horse; guidance versus “leading”.
2. I had a thoughtful plan, but was ready to change it to accommodate the level of stress evident in the horse even if it meant getting wet or abandoning the liberty demonstration altogether. There was no attention placed either on the outcome or forcing him to cross the stream.
3. I was patient, but stayed focused. I refrained from getting emotional, unduly forceful, dictatorial or making an attempt to be “alpha”.
4. I waited for signs of understanding and relaxation from the horse. For instance: Licking, chewing, relaxed body or resumption of normal breathing.
5. We both finished on a good note. We crossed the stream together in each direction, deliberately and unbothered.
My advice to you: Let your horse be your guide as to how you guide your horse to foster a healthy, positive relationship based on trust, respect and most importantly, the absence of undue stress.
Katelyn Kent, equestrian artist , trainer and coach in Denver, Colorado, helps humans develop horsemanship and riding skills by increasing awareness, consciousness, clarity and communication around the horse. She also trains horses using those same techniques. She is a freelance writer, equine and fine art photographer, and speaker. Katelyn strives to create a new awareness that challenges humans to adopt a new way of being around the horse that truly considers the horse.
www.katelynkent.net
303-601-7797
