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People helping horses ~ Horses helping people |
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Our job is to bring the horse into our world and teach him what is acceptable or not. |
Training |
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The Two Worlds of the Horse: Nature’s World and Man’s World:
Horses were created to live in a natural setting (Nature’s World), both mentally and physically. They live in a herd, whose main instincts are survival through foraging and reproducing. Their leaders have proven themselves worthy through their actions. In this natural setting, there are a limited number of exposures for the herd, and through the example of the leaders, they learn which habits are beneficial or not to their well being. Since they forage instead of hunt for food, this makes them prey animals. Because of this, they react to situations emotionally, by freezing, fleeing or fighting. This characteristic is enhanced by their physical makeup (eye setting, etc.) Their natural habitat has few boundaries, giving them more options for escape from their predators, and allowing them to move to find food, water and shelter, thus ensuring their survival. The horses that live in our world (Man’s World) must be able to live out of this herd setting. Their habitat has changed: their boundaries have closed in around them, restricting them from responding naturally and making them dependent on man for food, water, shelter, etc. Although in this new world there are few if any natural predators, we do have “man-made” objects with unique sights, smells and sounds which are not natural to the horse. Since horses learn through example, with no herd leader to follow, these objects become even more frightening and must be introduced to them. Until this takes place, it is quite possible that a horse’s mind is its greatest predator. In a sense, for horses to exist in Man’s World, we need to “reprogram” them. To do so, we need to simulate life in their natural world and step by step prove ourselves worthy of being the herd leader by teaching the horse about Man’s World (as we know it). When the horse responds to our actions, we set the example as to what response is acceptable or not, allowing the horse to decide which of its actions are beneficial to its well-being, thereby balancing emotion with logic. By continuing to work with horse, using this mindset, new habits begin to evolve, allowing it the mental and physical capability of surviving in Man’s World.
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Home phone (803) 713-8470 (803) 420-6996/(803) 351-0223 www.naturesview1.org / naturesview@aol.com |
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Training horses |
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It’s always important to have a safe round pen, especially when working with the “big boys and girls”! |