How we present ourselves to the horse at the very moment is what matters to the horse. We need to let go of fear and past negative experience. Horses live in the “moment”. They are very effective with one another. They do what needs to be done and move on. They carry no past baggage. We should do likewise. “Be Here Now” with your horse, not in the past.
Horse Time
Time means nothing to a horse. It’s either day or night. Horses don’t understand our schedules. A horse remembers the last thing that happens in a sequence. He remembers the release of pressure. That is the reward. The instant the horse does what you ask, stop asking, and release all pressure. If the horse is trying, give him some time to figure things out. Always reward the positive immediately and always release on a positive, no matter how small
Calm and Confident
Horses are very sensitive to energy. They can feel if you’re angry, fearful, agitated, insecure or otherwise unbalanced. Try to be grounded. It’s important to put yourself into a calm, quietly self-confident state before working with your horse. Horses want a calm, trustworthy leader. Be assertive without aggression. Set firm but fair limits and do not settle for less. Remember the sequence, ask, tell, demand.
Respect Your Space
Teach your horse to respect your personal space. This can be any area of space around you. You decide how close or faraway the horse must stay. Don’t let the horse come into that space without asking or being invited. Horses who have a habit of pushing into your space are being dominant and as well as unsafe. It is important to your status as leader to demand that your horse respect your space always.
Control the Movement
If you can control a horse’s feet, you can control his mind. Horses are creatures of motion. Their survival depends on being able to move their feet. A horse learns by movement. Being confined or cornered can add panic to a situation, and rather than thinking and learning, the horse goes into flight mode and his brain shuts down. In a herd, the higher- ranking horses make the lower ranking horses move. The leader is the one who can move another’s feet. By moving your horse’s feet, he will see you as a higher-ranking herd member and come to accept and trust your leadership. Asking for movement through pressure, then directing it, the horse realizes you are in charge.
Body Language
Always be aware of your body language as well as the horses. It is the universal language of all horses. You are always communicating something to your horse. Your horse is always reading you. Can you read your horse? Your horse is your mirror. Have fun when working with your horse. A pleasant, positive attitude will transmit to the horse helping to make your interactions pleasant and positive.
