“There is no equal partnership between a prey animal and a predator. If your horse does not see you as Alpha he will run the show. …”

This is a statement made by a horse trainer recently.

It made me do a double-take when I read it and I thought,

“Really? Hmmmmm. Not what I’ve experienced!”

What HAVE I experienced?  Horses that respond softly to conversations as any other “partner” would do when the boundaries and parameters of relationship have been established securely.

“Would you move over a tad, please, so I can get by?”

“I need you to step back just 3 steps for me, please.”

“Excuse me. You’re too close to me right now. Back up, please.”

“May I have a kiss, please?  Awwww, thank you!”

“Show me which hoof is bothering you, please?”

“Ummm, no – I asked you for a walk; not a trot. Please slow down a tad.”

“What shall we do today? Oh! You want to go out on the trail? Cool!”

“Ach!  Hey! No teeth allowed!”

“Oh, I’m sorry! Do I need to move the girth back? But still no teeth allowed! Thank you.”

These dialogues are not what most have experienced when working with horses. Especially with horses that are new to them. They are not filled with commands. They are not riddled with demands.  There are no physical punishments or harsh corrections within the conversations.

There is a dialogue. A conversation between two unique individuals who happen to wear different suits.

Read the statement I posted at first again …

“there is no equal partnership between a prey animal an a predator. If your horse does not see you as Alpha he will run the show. …”

Shortly thereafter in the same talk the word “Leader” came into the training within the same context as “Alpha”. Why is this of high importance worthy of comment? What’s the difference, you ask, between being Alpha and Leader?

BIG difference!

“ALPHA” and “LEADER” are two completely different words with totally different meanings. To understand HOW to achieve the ‘next level’ of Partnership with a horse it is IMPERATIVE to understand this.  Let’s define the two:

ALPHA:    Zoology & Sociology – denoting the dominant animal or human in a particular group: the pack is a tightly knit, highly organized group, led by an alpha wolf. (Oxford Dictionary)

LEADER:  A person followed by others.

It may seem as if the two words have similar meanings. But think on them — the alpha dominates; the leader is followed – by choice.

Alpha demands, dictates a following and is usually done by force through attitude, by fear and force.

Leader ‘leads’ others who are willing to follow.

The horse that WILLINGLY follows a human Leader does so out of trust and respect. But the horse chooses to do so WITHOUT fear of the human. He follows because he knows he will survive when with his Leader. And survival is the main core of the horse’s existence.

The horse that follows the Alpha does so out of concern/fear for the repercussions that may follow if he doesn’t follow!

Two cornerstones of the relationship between horse and human are TRUST and RESPECT. A horse that is FORCED to obey will not have trust; they may have respect but only a fearful respect.

The horse that follows the human leader willingly does so because he feels safe, he knows he will ‘survive’ with that leader and the leader will cause him no harm or fear with any direct intent.

How does all this relate to the building of an equal PARTNERSHIP with the horse?  The cornerstones have to be laid down firmly and balanced in order for the rest of the relationship to develop and grow. The Leader cornerstone has to be in place in order for the other cornerstones to be laid down.  Trust, Respect and Understanding.

When interacting with your horse today please remember these words.

LEADERSHIP
TRUST
RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING

These represent the solid foundation upon which a FULL PARTNERSHIP can be developed and grown between you and your horse.

Put yourself in your horse’s shoes … hooves. Would YOU like to be treated the way your horse is being treated?