I think sometimes even the "good" horse people like us, think its maybe ok for a horse to act out when in pain, but not ok if in rage. But think about people who act out in rage. There is most likely an underlying reason that is sad, really. I am not saying we should put up with horrible behavior, but i think we can try and understand it and move on from there. There is always totally unacceptable behavior. But when you were a kid for example, if you went off in a rage and your parent said "stop feeling that!" it didnt help, would even make it worse, would make you sour and resentful at all times. Whereas if a parent said "I see why you are so mad but I can't really do anything about that person, thing, whatever that made you so upset, but I hear you," it would maybe subside? When horses say "I-AM-SO MAD" they can kill themselves, kill us, maim us and themselves. But if beaten for it, treated worse with no time to process it and mull it over, i think it just reinforces the sour behavior. Seeing Tivar squeal and take off bucking like that made me realize he has had plenty of opportunity to do that to me under saddle but he never has. Even tho I have gotten on to him a lot of times under saddle for some bratty stuff. But when he would get really really sour under saddle, him and my Fox too, I would stop and either start over or cut my losses for the day.
But most horse people, good ones, say you can't do that, you are letting the horse "win". I am not so sure about that. I think a long session where everyone is unhappy and then being put away is not "winning". I think like us, they want a happy ending too... just some thoughts Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
