Use pressure to establish yourself as the alpha in a herd of two.

Use movement, direction, rhythm and track to complete your picture and prove yourself “worthy.”

When you feel that you have completed your picture and you have understanding, release the pressure by turning your back to the horse.

People helping horses ~ Horses helping people

To contact us:

Home phone (803) 713-8470

(803) 420-6996/(803) 351-0223

www.naturesview1.org / naturesview@aol.com

Initial Work

You use four components to establish yourself as the “alpha” in your herd of two in the round pen: movement, direction, rhythm and track. The first step is to change your way of thinking. Your mindset should be “How can I help you?” instead of “Do what I tell you to do!” In so doing, you are now working on listening, you take the pressure off of yourself. When mistakes are made, they are seen as a positive, for they give you the opportunity to learn. The more you improve the horse’s knowledge, the easier your task will be.

    An example of a task would be asking for movement. The picture that is given would be: the second the horse moves any part of it’s body, when you ASK the horse to move, without touching the horse with any part of your body, RELEASE the pressure by turning your back. To accomplish this picture, you have to:

Have HONESTY WITHIN YOURSELF/HONESTY WITH OTHERS/PEACE OF MIND – You need to be aware of your emotions before entering the round pen and share them with others, thereby improving your chances of success.

Be IN THE ZONE – Have the picture in one hand and listen to the horse in the other.

Have FOCUS - Listen and hear the picture.

Use TEAMWORK – You have to work with a loose horse to create the picture.

PROBLEM-SOLVE – How do I get the horse to move?

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF– If you can imagine it, you can create it!

GIVE UP CONTROL, THEREBY BEING IN CONTROL – Allow the horse to tell you how much pressure to apply, when to stop, when to turn and have your back to the horse.

Have PATIENCE, SELF DISCIPLINE and ANGER MANAGEMENT – If the horse does not move, it is telling you to apply more pressure.

Have CONCENTRATION – Looking for movement and staying “out of it”; doing what the horse is telling you to do to create the picture.

“Joining up”

Establishing yourself as the alpha in a herd of two