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How To Determine The Quality Of Your Equine Relationships: Observe What Happens Voluntarily by nolnocluap

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· @nolnocluap ·
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How To Determine The Quality Of Your Equine Relationships: Observe What Happens Voluntarily
I hear and read so much from self proclaimed _professional_ horse trainers and handlers. It seems to be a field that attracts those who have no capacity to objectively assess or dispassionately observe. As I elaborate, allow me the latitude of some black-and-white observations with the caveat that I am aware that not everyone is like this... there is a distinct pattern however.

In everything from the literature that you buy to the videos on YouTube to those you personally work with, it seems the case that for every 10 people, there are 10 methods for doing any particular thing with a horse and, not unexpectedly, each claims to be "correct".

It's a pervasive mindset that is not conducive to learning. When we work with horses, we approach each interaction with a foundation of understanding and more importantly, a willingness to communicate and listen to the animals so that _they_ can tell us what is the correct way and which approaches are ineffective.

It's hopefully obvious that almost anything can be achieved with force. With a gun to your head, you'll happily hand over your wallet. Would you do so voluntarily however? No. 

With a pain-compliance-device (bit) in a horses mouth, it's easy to get him or her to attempt to comply with whatever wild and inconsistent jerks are applied to the reigns. With a whip and a history of using it, the fear in a horse's eyes will tell you everything you need to know about the motivation for their compliance or lack thereof.

The true test of any relationship is to observe interactions that are completely voluntary. There's that phrase that's so overused in wedding reception monologues; _β€œIf you love something set it free. If it comes back it’s yours. If not, it was never meant to be.”_ Aside from the fact that I'm not a fan of the possessive nature of the phrase, I agree with the sentiment that it attempts to communicate.

Does your horse want to be near you when it has every opportunity to move away instead? Does your horse actually go out of his or her way to come towards you when he or she sees you? This signifies that the horse finds it safer or generally more pleasant to be around you than not to. 

This is especially the case without food. Sure the odd treat here and there is a pleasure but if it's the tool that you use to con the animal into artificially wanting to be around you (you're only the hand holding the food) then it's not a true test. If it only requires your presence alone to attract a horse then I'd say you have established a quality relationship upon which rich accomplishments can be built.

Just yesterday I noticed one of our horses taking a nap on our sand arena. It's quite some distance down to the arena from the house and I had to approach from her rear. I knew that I wouldn't be able to approach undetected as their senses are very effective, but still I moved calmly and quietly so as not to communicate an urgency and possible danger.

Our mare, as I expected, noticed my presence and turned to see who or what was approaching her. She identified me and I was pleased to see that she determined there was no threat or need to get up from what is a very vulnerable position for a flight animal.

Any hint of potential danger and a horse will be on his or her feet and ready to attack or run. Our gelding also saw me approach and started walking over to me, voluntarily. I had no food, just a camera that I was holding up. I was filming from after the moment that our mare had noticed me.

After passing our gelding, he gave me a soft nudge on the back; a gentle "hello" that he uses to communicate with us. This can't be seen on the video but you can see the camera move a bit from the nudge he gives me.

Our mare allows me to approach her immediate vicinity. She shows a lovely demeanour in the video. She's alert with her ears forward but her eyes and slow head movements show her to be completely relaxed. She's allowing me to be with her and trusts that I will not harm her in the vulnerable seated position.

This trust goes both ways of course. Really I'm the most vulnerable here. At this proximity, a stray hoof (malicious or otherwise) would be very damaging. This trust is easily broken and hard to earn so it's very valuable.

She also rolls before getting up and it's as close as I've ever been to a rolling horse. It's actually a clumsy movement; note the front hoofs slam into the ground awkwardly. Notice too that our communication is all non-verbal. People are so quick to talk talk talk around horses. 

I feel that time spent bonding like this is every bit as important as time spent working them (riding, training, lunging and so on). Perhaps even more so. 

At any time this mare could have decided to move away from me and keep me at a safe distance. The fact that she trusts me to be near her (and actually probably in reality uses me as an extra set of eyes in the herd to watch over her as she's resting) indicates to me that we have a sound relationship. No food, no whips, no ropes, just free choice.

I would be very interested to see how the plethora of professionals each with their own "correct" methods for working with horses would  go in a voluntary interaction such as this one. I'd suggest that it's a good metric for anyone wanting to determine or test the true strength of an equine relationship.

I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed the experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXluUO8mRRs
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@brightex ·
I understand your point @nolnocluap. Animals just like humans should be treated with respect and love.  They should not only be used for work or so. The horse is a very useful animal in war, but its purpose shouldn't just be for war. Horses are friendly too. Nice post
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@nolnocluap ·
Hey @brightex, thanks for the kind words. Yes we all seek love and comfort regardless of species. Couldn't agree more! Horses are not only good in war but for all sorts of labour; especially heavy horses that pull logs from forests. In some cases they are still more effective than machines as they can fit in between trees!
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@cecicastor ·
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All animals like to be treated with love and respect. Having fun and voluntary time is important for the relationship. It is an awesome video, @nolnocluap!
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@nolnocluap ·
Thanks so much @cecicastor! I'm amazed at the parallels with human relationships. Love and respect are such universal concepts that they apply everywhere.
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@harris2017 ·
When i read your post i was so happy with it ..i can see lot of people upvote you.. Dont know your post is great i upvot you and follow you ... Thanks
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@psionic-tremors ·
Beautiful! It's so easy and natural to get trust from an animal without scaring or hurting them. I'm in the fortunate position of having a sister training horses in this way, or rather training people to be fair with horses. I don't have horses but all i learned i'm applying to my relationship and training with my dogs. 
Keep spreading the word that animals never need punishment to be trained nor need uncomfortable and hurting things in their mouth or around their body!
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@nolnocluap ·
Couldn't have said it better myself @psionic-tremors! You're right about the fact that it's the humans that need training! It's an interesting perspective. I'm sure your dogs, being loving animals in particular, would respond excellently to someone of your mindset. I bet you have a great relationship. I certainly try to spread the word and will continue to do so. Thanks again!
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@wisewoof · (edited)
$0.02
Absolutely wonderful to witness the bond you have formed with your horses! I love these kinds of posts and am saving them for future reference! Watching her roll around next to you it's very clear the trust you both share. Warms my heart! ^_^ Thankyou for sharing!
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@nolnocluap ·
$0.04
My absolute pleasure @wisewoof. It warms my heart to see that there are people out there who resonate with these concepts, even tho they seem to be so rare in the horse community. 

Yes I was particularly impressed with her roll. You get a unique appreciation of their size when you can see their undercarriage up close at eye level! 

I wish that you and all like minded folk get to experience such a treat too!
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@wisewoof ·
That's unfortunate to hear they are rare concepts within the horse community. Hopefully over time we can change that! Awe thankyou <3
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