17/02/2025
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING STYLE?
Anyone can be a BOSS. A boss is demanding, threatening and unyielding; and when things don't go to plan they become dictatorial.
A LEADER, on the other hand, leads by example, demonstrates the task, has empathy, patience, negotiates the terms, and most importantly is FIRM but FAIR.
When you are working your horse are you a boss or a leader? Do you see things from your horse's point of view? Do you recognise when your horse does not understand the task or do you assume they are just being difficult and stubborn? Do you blame the horse or do you put your communication skills under the microscope? Do you recognise when the horse has had enough mentally and/or physically or do you constantly push for more?
As riders and trainers, these are important questions we should be asking ourselves. Horses aren't stupid. They are a product of their environment. Sure, like people, some of their characteristics and individual quirks may be present from birth and are inherited. However, how a horse responds to a stimulus and in particular to humans is mostly learned.
Don't get me wrong. I am not telling you to tip toe around your horse or to wrap him/her in cotton wool. The point I am making is: if your horse is making poor choices and the communication is failing, do you stop and assess your own behaviour and practices? Do you become angry and aggressive or do you take deep breath, attempt to slow your heart rate and approach the task differently?
Recently I heard a fabulous quote which I would like to share with you. "Reactive horses aren't giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time". This is when they need a leader not a boss.
