Leadership with horses by Cynthia Cooper
Natural Horsemanship has increased our awareness of relationships with horses – the terms partnership, respect, leader, alpha etc have become common but their meaning can be as varied as the meaning we give to those terms in our human relationships.
Good Leadership is recognised as being an essential part of the equation. So what is good leadership?
The dictionary defines leadership as a) the position, function, or guidance of a leader b) the ability to lead.
A typical definition of leadership is stated by Richard Maxwell:
“A horse must understand his place under the leadership of a human handler, and to do that, he must be trusting and respectful. Maxwell iterates, “In a herd situation, lives depend on knowing who’s in charge, and the boss horse has to have the respect of the entire herd.
“If you are a student of leadership, there is no better study partner than a horse. You can’t dazzle them with words. No chain of command will cause a horse to follow you; its devotion can only be earned.”
Most often, its “whoever controls the other’s feet wins” and this is how leadership can be gained.
Read more at Suite101: Understanding Horse Psychology: Ten Insights Into Equine Life and Character
Unfortunately, leadership is often equated with control and dominance – with most methods of horsemanship insisting that control and dominance are absolutely necessary for leadership and a partnership.
I prefer the definition Carolyn Resnick gives – ‘. A leader is someone who makes a request – ask, don’t tell. Leadership is flexible. ‘
Carolyn Resnick says in this blog excerpt “As horse owners, we need to shape a horse’s behaviour to fit in harmony with us because of practical reasons and keep their pecking order personalities social and respectful. We need to set an example for our horse in the kind of leadership that we would like him to offer us. This way, the horse learns to treat us exactly like we treat him in regards to leadership. This creates a 50/50 partnership, with the exception that we are the ultimate leaders of our horse because we are setting leadership by example. Captivity requires leadership.”
“Remember that torture is not determined by our standards but by what the horse feels. As trainers and owners, we need to be able to read when this happens so we can adjust our leadership to work best for us and to be inviting. If you are being persistent and the horse is not willing, you are in danger of stepping into negative dominant behaviour in your leadership.”
Read more at www.carolynresnickblog.com/how-to-be-a-leader-with-your-horse/
At the other end of the spectrum are those practicing the ‘art’ of horsemanship. These are usually quite experienced horse people who are adept at ‘reading’ horses and are able to truly listen to and communicate with their horses on many levels.
In her book ’Empowered Horses’, Imke Spilker offers a new perspective on the relationship with horses and says “Togetherness is the foundation for which everything else proceeds. Togetherness – not hierarchy – puts us on the same level. Togetherness is the prerequisite for influencing each other from within the depths of our being.”
I think most people strive for that ‘togetherness’ or feeling at one with their horse, so why would we want to overly control and dominate our horses. Isn’t partnership about listening to the perspective of the other, taking each other’s feelings into consideration and adjusting our requests/desires accordingly?
Why should we have all the say? Sure, for issues of safety we still need respect, and trust, so can that be achieved without dominant, negative leadership?
I believe it can with positive, passive and calm, assertive leadership.Mark Rashid explained the notion of passive leadership in his books through observing herd behaviour. He noticed that the herd often had a dominant leader, and a passive leader.
The horses generally avoided the dominant leader who used aggression to retain their place in the pecking order (generally at the top), but were happy to follow the passive leader and spend time with her. What sort of leader would you like to be? One that your horse wants to spend time with, or avoids, for fear of dominant bossy behaviour.I also agree with Deidre Sharp when she says in her article on All Herds Need a Leader:
“A good leader is fair, consistent and effective. Most lead horses are assertive but not overly aggressive, dominant but not mean. In order to create a relationship that is enjoyable and safe, we must establish and maintain our position as the alpha. We must be effective and benevolent leaders. We want to build our relationship with our horse based on trust, respect and compassion.”Read more at Suite101: All Herds Need a Leader: Understanding Horse Behavior
I believe leadership is something you earn through being consistent, calm and fun to be with by asking and suggesting, gently correcting any pushy behaviour without being critical.
One of the biggest lessons I learned during my early horsemanship journey was to be particular, not critical.
So what’s the difference? When you are particular, you keep aiming for the goal you have in mind but you take the horse and the situation into account – you will probably need to make some changes to reach the goal.
Being critical is when you continually pick on the horse without changing anything until you achieve the goal and in the time frame you had in mind – not the time frame that suits the horse.If we truly considered the horse to be our partner, then think about what sort of human leader you would choose to spend time with?
I know I’d rather be with someone who was brave, thoughtful, respectful, interesting and calm as a leader.
Can you be that for your horse?
Barefoot and Bridle-less by Liz Mitten-Ryan
I feel strongly about this topic as I have a herd of fourteen warmbloods that have lived without bits and shoes. They are as God made them, living on 320 acres, of meadows, hills and rocky terrain, enormous, well fed, 1500 pound animals who are joyous and free and in perfect health. They run on flint hard feet, connecting to and absorbing the energy of the Earth.
Why is it humans feel a need to interfere with what is natural, taking away the life that affords sustenance. Horses need to roll, graze and run on feet that touch the Earth, pumping the blood through their bodies with every hoof beat. They need friends and freedom for the health of their bodies and minds, and nights spent under the stars.
Why do humans, confine, control and command such wondrous creatures, when connection and communication will fulfill our dreams.
I have come to understand that there are two forces in the world – LOVE and Fear. When fear surfaces we are limited to a smaller version of our true selves. We are light beings, unique and special in variation, and no less than each created thing, we are spiritual equals. I also have come to know that humans are not superior but only different.
My herd has lived with LOVE since the moment they birthed into my arms, and since then they have been spoken to, played with, and respected in every way. They are offered an opportunity to be the best they can be. Horses, being prey animals, have innate fears that can only be dissolved through a relationship whose foundation is based on patience and LOVE. Horse nature is transcribed at a cellular level, passed on to each newborn, as a script for survival. As we journey into relationship with each new horse child, we are healing the memory of the human/horse, predator/prey relationship. I have noticed that inroads built with my mares are passed on to their babies, and from them to the next generation.
This is how all horses should be treated, but sadly, there are many who bear the scars of pain, fear and distrust from the hands of humans. One of the things I love most about horses is their ability to forgive. It is my theory that fear has played the major role through the centuries of our relationship with horses. We are in effect taming enormous wild beasts that could in a second destroy us if they so desired. In reality, these powerful creatures are amazingly kind and generous if treated considerately.
I have several years of daily consideration behind me when I first ride my three year olds. There is never a problem. I have shared with them the basics on the ground. We walk, trot, whoa, back, move our shoulders and hinds, and all this translates to understanding when I first sit on them. For riding, a rope halter with some clip on leather reins is all I use. Interestingly, when friends bring horses, particularly those who are difficult in bridle, the moment I remove the offending hardware and ask for the basic equestrian movements, I am rewarded with a soft, comfortable compliance. It’s as if they are saying ‘thank you.’ Imagine, if you can, being constricted, unable to breath, and in pain. Could you possibly relax and enjoy an exercise based on domination and punishment. It is so obvious, yet integral to the program of usury that man maintains with his dependence on horses.
Horses are as individual as humans, and just as there are very few athletes who enjoy the rigors of high performance, there are few horses as well. It is not natural for a horse to jump six feet, or prance around in collection for hours. Is it because we are asking unnatural and difficult things from horses, that the instruments of torture must be employed? My horses enjoy learning and playing together. They love an adventure in the hills, and just like hiking with a friend, we take turns choosing the direction, volunteering the pace and stopping for a snack. Riders have been warned forever against the pitfalls of allowing a horse to eat grass, determine the pace or do anything it wants to; almost like all will be lost if the horse enjoys a simple pleasure. Why? In a friendship, partnership, or relationship, it is all about consideration, love and respect. Can we be that afraid to open to the possibility of a mutually rewarding arrangement? Even in a work environment we can certainly consider the horses comfort as we would a human.
We are moving rapidly now in the direction of an evolving consciousness, towards oneness and connection with all life. There is only one consciousness in all creation:
“We are all, each and every little quark, united in the same cosmic soup. There are spaces but no boundaries. Boundaries are only thoughts.” - Prima, speaking for the Herd, in the ‘Truth According to Horses.’ It is time to understand the atrocity of a horse/human relationship based on “Do it or I’ll punish you” It is time to move on to ‘invitation and reward’ - a social interaction more similar to how we treat our family and friends, and should certainly treat all sentient beings.As Prima says: “You and I can change the world, one mind at a time, - Imagine”
Imagine sharing the inherent desire for freedom, with all life.Liz Mitten Ryan has co-authored four books with her horses, winning a total of nine independent Publishing Awards. She is also offers workshops teaching a new level of consciousness and connection with animals and the Earth and certification in Equinistic Healing at www.equinisity.com
Watch Your Thoughts – by Cynthia Cooper
When I discovered horses (and all other animals) could ‘hear’ me or telepathically read my mind, I felt bad for ‘saying’ (thinking) not so nice thoughts about them.I asked myself – “Would I greet a good friend with ‘hello fattie’ or say ‘Get going you lazy slob’?
I was embarrassed at some of the derogatory thoughts or messages I was sending my horses and decided I would be more polite.
Now I address them with respect – adding a Miss, Mrs or Mr to their names seems to help.
And I watch my thoughts, taking special note of the negative ones that creep into my mind through exposure to so much negative media on television, radio and in newspapers that seems to perpetuate negative.Just the other day, I was reminded to change my negative thought to a positive – or it would be self-fulfilling!
My young Arabian gelding used to get excited about getting his feed delivered and as I walked over to the feed tub, he would sometimes lash out with excitement.When I focused on thinking about him walking calmly to the feed bin and used my tongue click to mark good behaviour (followed by the food delivery), he stopped kicking out.
But the other day, he was walking quite close to me and I came into line with his hip, and found myself thinking ‘you’re a good boy for not kicking at me’ and then he leapt forward and threw two hind feet at me!
I then remembered reading somewhere that animals don’t hear the ‘not, don’t, can’t etc.’ ahead of a word – and think you want them to do that action (nip, kick etc), so are actually complying with your request!It reminded me that if we think of something in the negative tense, we can fix that by turning it around into the positive.
For example, if I’d followed my negative thought ‘…for not kicking me’ with ‘…so please keep walking quietly to the feed bin’, I’m sure that would have happened.Here are some more examples of how to change a negative thought into a positive:
- ‘Don’t you nip me’ to ‘keep your nose to yourself’
- ‘I hope he doesn’t buck’ to ‘Lets see if we can canter and maintain forward’
- That looks scary – hope he doesn’t shy’ to ‘It’s only a wheelie bin so be brave and walk right by’.
Thinking in the negative is not always a bad thing – it can help us see a potential problem (or manufacture one!), which won’t become a reality if we follow up those thoughts with a positive solution.So watch you thoughts!
Hear what your horse has to say - by Danielle
Ever since I started learning about animal communication from popular authors such as Marta Williams, Amelia Kincade and J.Allen-Boone, I discovered we’re all able to communicate on an energetic level if we can just learn to quiet the chatter in our minds and be prepared to accept what we hear or ‘get’ or feel.
Some people hear what animals say in words, others see it in written form or as a film and yet others get a feeling or emotion that tells them what the animal is saying.
Some find it easier than others to hear our non-verbal friends, but often all it takes is a little know-how and practice.Those that find it comes easily to them sometimes offer their services to people who don’t have the time or interest in learning this skill.
One such person is Danielle Coleman who has been practicing animal communication for a few years now, ever since she attended a workshop with Trish McGagh from www.animaltalk.com.au .
Danielle is now helping people every day to find out what their animal is wanting to say.
She works via email, with just a photo and the name of the animal which she then contacts during a meditation to ask the questions listed by the owner.
The answers are returned by email and a follow up phone call.
Danielle says sometimes people don’t like what they hear or don’t get the answers they expected.
"There have been so many memorable, funny, amazing outcomes during my time communicating with animals - from my own horses telling me I talk to much! To my young horse telling me I have a lot to learn.
Another funny comment from a horse when the owner asked why does he be silly when being clipped - the horse replied "I don’t like being bald, would you like to be"!
Once your animal realises that you are acknowledging them you can communicate with them and while you are trying, they will never stop helping you and also showing you that you are on the right track.
All it takes is for you to talk to your horse like a human being, and your life will change forever.
If you want acknowledgment from them to make sure you are on the right track, then don’t be scared to ask for it. I use to say to my animals via telepathy.. Neera, if you can hear me, can you please walk right up to me and touch me with your nose. Sure enough I would open my eyes and she would be standing in front of me touching me with her nose.I say to my horses "Come on, if you want to come for a ride meet me at the gate in a minute". Sure enough when I go outside they are waiting at the gate, put their heads in their halters and off we go for a ride".
Have you ever wondered why your animals do certain things?
Have you ever wanted to know what they enjoy? What they dislike? Why they do certain behaviour that is unlike them normally? There are no limits to what you can ask your animal friend.If you are interested in having a consultation done, or are just interested in having a chat, then please call Danielle on 0429 706 412, or email dan_hear2heal@bigpond.com.
Consultations are at an introductory price of $40.00. This will allow you to ask up to 7 questions, or $50.00 for 12 questions.“When I first contacted Danielle with some questions to put to my own horse, I must admit, I was fairly sceptical about ‘animal communication’! But Danielle’s responses to the questions were so accurate and so in tune with the character of my horse that I had to believe that there was definitely something in it.
Since that first time, Danielle has spoken with friends’ animals – both horses and dogs which she’d never seen, nor met and who were owned by people she did not know.
Every single animal’s responses have exactly suited their character and Danielle has consistently mentioned images and facts which only the owner would have known.
Danielle has helped me to assist a horse which was on my property who was overworked, emotionally withdrawn and very depressed, not to mention in pain and sore. After the first consultation where he showed he was very unhappy and confused, he also showed Danielle sore areas that required urgent attention.
Danielle’s suggestions of sore areas were backed up by the chiropractor and the masseuse who looked at this horse.
His final consultation showed he felt like an entirely different horse, one who was bright, full of energy and once again enjoying his work.
It is thanks to these consultations with Danielle that helped us follow the right steps to enable him to change his outlook. He is now competing overseas and apparently doing very well!” Northern Tasmania lady.A few events have led me to write this article, but I am just going to share the most influential event with you.
I recently read a discussion on an online forum. The chat forum had a discussion started by someone regarding their naughty horse. This person was reaching out for help and advice about what to do about her horse that bucks, rears, and now refuses to load on a float.
Most people's advice was to be tough on this horse as he is trying to put it over his human handler. The comment that drew me in, was by one person who stated in her very last sentence "Wouldnt it be nice if they could just talk to us and tell us what is wrong!".
I thought to myself, why does it have to be this way?It actually does not have to be this way. You can talk to your animals. You can simply just ASK what is wrong, why are you acting like this all of a sudden? It really is that simple.
Why is it so hard for us humans to accept that our animals can talk? Or that any living thing on this earth can talk?
Do our animals feel pain? Yes
Do our animals show love towards us and other species? Yes
Do our animals have their own individual personalities just like us? Yes
Do our animals show intelligence? Yes
The list could go on and on and on! So after the few pointers stated above, why do we find it so hard to believe that our animals can talk and understand us? Not only can they talk to us and understand us, but talking to an animal, is like talking to another person (yes you can have a full conversation with them just like we do to each other - I would actually prefer a conversation with an animal than a human!). Animals are very wise, spiritual beings who are here to help us. They want nothing more than for us to live in harmony with them.
If we could just open our minds up and accept that we can talk to animals, and not only our domestic animals, we can talk to any species on this earth, wouldn't the world be a more harmonious place? Instead of putting down an animal for its extreme dangerous behaviour, we could just ask what is wrong and how we can help.
My main reasons for writing this article, is to hopefully awaken some peoples minds to the world of animal communication (just believe it - whats the worst that can happen?), and to also find those people that want help, but are not sure where to turn to - just like the person writing on a public forum for help and advice.
Our animals are being misunderstood, abused, neglected and are dying for reasons they should not have to.
Our animals do not just wake up one morning and simply think to themselves that they are going to play up and be as naughty as they can be - they are not like that. They have opinions just like you, they have likes and dislikes just like you. Sometimes they probably do not want to do something that you are asking of them, sometimes they just need a break like we do.Would we prefer our animals do things with us because they enjoy doing it, or because we force them to do it? I know for myself, that I do not want to be my animals leader or boss, i simply want to be their friend and to work as team together in any activity that myself and them would like to do. In saying that, animals do need a leader, but not in the way that humans try to be their leaders by putting them back in their place when they do something "naughty".
There is always a reason for the way your animal behaves - even if it is a horse trying to kick you all the time, or a dog biting a human. I am not saying that this behaviour is acceptable at all, because it is not. But there is always a reason for an animal to be behaving so out of character .
Instead of labelling the animal useless, naughty, dangerous etc, how about we ask the animal what is wrong, why is it behaving in this manner, and what we could do to help. Calling an animal nasty names is just as bad as using violence towards them.
I am sure everyone has wanted to know at some stage what is wrong with their animal, or why they are behaving differently, and many other questions. You can know the answers to these questions. If you do not feel confident enough to start communicating with your animal straight away, then do not hesitate to contact an animal communicator, we are always willing to help you, and especially your animals. Every single human already is communicating with their animals, they are just not aware of it yet. Ever had a niggly feeling that something just is not right with your animal? Only to walk outside and find something actually is wrong with them? Communication is done telepathically. It can be anything from an exchange of words, images, feelings and just pure knowing of what they want.
Just remember, no question is a silly question. It is only a silly question if you do not ask it.
Danielle is an Animal Communicator and you can contact her on 0429706412
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