--- In [email protected], "Judy Ryder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > > As Strong As A Lion, As Gentle As A Lamb > > By Jeffrey Rolo > > When watching an alpha mare or herd leader interact with members of his/her > herd you will inevitably see the leader exhibit aggressive behavior, whether > in the form of brute force or (more commonly) in the form of body language. > If a subordinate grazes too closely to the leader without the leader's > consent the follower finds out the error of his way in short time. > > Whereas this continual "bullying" behavior may seem excessive to us, it's > important to realize it's a fact of life for a horse. It is their way, and > to enjoy a healthy relationship with a horse it's better that you understand > their customs and language (even if you instinctually disagree).
Ok, I have been meaning to comment on this since this morning. I don't agree, not instinctually, or any other way:) I am certain that I heard Leslie Desmond say that if you look at a herd of horses, and there are alpha horses, for sure, but you will notice that none of the other horses really wants to be around that horse. I have definitely noticed this. I've seen some big butted mean mares, maybe they have a friend in the herd, but mostly I have seen the majority of the herd steer clear! There was a gelding, one in particular, a large Appy that Dari was turned out with, he would chase poor Dari, full on, and poor Dari would run as fast as his little legs would let him. I didn't see most of the herd taking up with that guy, in fact he sort of claimed Dari, in a domineering kind of way, and most every other individual would stay away. Is this what we are trying to get to?, not me. By the way, we are not horses, and can't really act like them, this doesn't mean we can't find an interspecies way to relate and cross those boundaries. > > Finally one day as my back was partially towards her she kicked me. Nothing > that left more than a black and blue, and not a kick that had bad blood or > mean intent behind it. Just a little strike with her front leg to let me > know she was impatient and wanted her grain now. > > So did she get it? > > No! With that act she crossed the line from poor manners to an action that > was outright disrespectful and could have hurt me. As much as I hated it, at > that point I gave her a couple strong cracks with my hand, shouted my > disappointment with her and sent her running. Ok, no, it may have gotten the job done, I am sure this is why people persist in this, but what else? Poor manner? Disrespectful? I'm not so sure about that, it's one way to catergorize it. I noticed the most amazing thing the other day. I was standing with Rose and Zoe by their feeding bin, late, late afternoon, we were all relaxed,they get along very well. I was standing between them, with my arm around Zoe's neck. Both had heavey eyelids, almost napping. Rose then turned her head back around toward Zoe, and made a nudging motion, but did not even touch her, maybe she did, but it was almost imperceptable. Zoe took a step back in response. Ultimate lightness! I quickly took my hand and moved it toward the same exact spot that Rose had motioned towards, barely touched Zoe, and she took another step back. Amazing! Now, I think that I have mentioned before that Zoe was recently taking her hoof and tapping me in the leg when I turn my back and give attention to another horse, like, Hey! I'm over here!, ok, she's really just wanting attention, wanting to connect with me, but it's not such a good move, I'm not as big, I'm a little scared that she will do when I'm bent over and she might hit my head. Ok. So, I decided I would clicker train her to shake, ok, she knows that. I have tried giving her a little whack (not like the one described above, more like a swat) it doesn't stop. I don't really want to take out the part where she wants to be with me. I love her, number one. We are friends. Ok, just some boundaries. I do think that I have mentioned before that Rose was doing some nipping and I found that if I softly, very politely pushed her head away from me, she stopped. She had not been doing this for some times now, after I asked her not to in this way, just a couple of times. Brilliant idea! I used this same technique to ask Zoe not to put her hoof on me, it seemed to have worked, she hasn't done it again, so far. I slowly, softly pushed her leg back down, in this way asking her not to do that. I also, with much intent, rewarded her by standing there, giving me a much less drastic sign that she wanted attention, by giving it to her for the more appropriate request. Maybe the horses aren't quite sure how to ask us for what they want sometimes, it seems like the right thing for them to do in their minds, just take time and think, and look at the horse as a friend, not an enemy, they are not big, scary, dangerous animals, they are friendly, social, kind animals, more times than not. It reminds me of "The Secret", which some people have discussed, sort of whatever we hold in our minds, comes to be. So, I don't really have to wonder what will happen if we keep thinking of our horses as dangerous, a threat, etc. We will probably get something like that, we will act towards them in a way that conveys this kind of thing and help to bring it about. Kim
