Leadership is a Matter of Life and Death

Last Saturday, a group of students gathered to watch me play with horses at liberty. After a brief introduction to horse behavior and the ten special qualities of the horse's mind (from Robert Miller), I began a demonstration of the "Seven Waterhole Rituals", starting with sharing territory. In order to interest a horse in sharing space and time with you, it helps to use food or treats . Starting with Deb's mare EZ, I offered her a chance to eat out of containers with three very delicious looking snacks. The idea of connecting with your horse at liberty is that every step in the process involves giving the horse a choice of joining you or leaving you. When a horse consistently chooses to join you and allows you to shape their behavior, it develops a bond between the two of you. It is important to expect the horse to respect you right from the start and not allow a dominant horse to move your feet. 

Movement is done by a leader, who makes a request, with a realistic expectation of having that request fulfilled by the other. It helps to know your horse's personality in order to judge how well they are able to answer your request without bringing up fear or defensive behavior. Movement can also be initiated by a dominant horse whose only goal is to force movement and to intimidate others through fear or physical contact. A horse may do what the dominant one asks but will not trust or remain confident in them for very long, especially if they feel their safety is at stake. They will always trust a leader. A horse has four main priorities: safety, comfort, play (socializing) and food. If a horse feels unsafe in the presence of any creature, they will use their natural defenses, mainly flight. 

Once it was obvious that EZ did not feel safe approaching the "cookie bar", especially with 12 people on the other side of the rope, I made it less scary for her by delivering the treats to her. Once she took a bite and realized I was not trying to trap her and I walked away, she became curious. Who is this person with food who doesn't scare me or pressure me into doing what she wants? Little by little, she began to trust me enough to come forward to check out the goods I was offering. Her hesitancy was obvious and I knew I would need to go slow with her. She does not readily look to others to keep her safe and she wants to know that she can depend on you to be the leader she needs. As humans, we take for granted that horses accept us in their life because we have put them there, when in reality, they will accept only what they feel is in their best interest in terms of safety or comfort. It isn't until we push them beyond their limits of comfort (by asking them to do something that is emotional, mentally and/or physically demanding) and safety that we see them "misbehave" or resist, possibly endangering us or them in the process. With liberty training, the horse has a choice and tells you immediately just how much they can tolerate. It also offers the horse a chance to connect with you using their own language. The process goes much quicker and is long lasting for both horse and human. Most of all it is a window into their mind and teaches us so much about our own ability to look into the heart and soul of another creature. I learn something about myself every time I am with the horses. A sense of peace and calm enters my mind and I begin to focus on the here and now. If I can't, then the communication is scattered and muddled, the horse tells me I am on the wrong track. 

That day, EZ said to me, you can be my leader but not today. I have to process what you are offering and see evidence of what you are asking of me and soon I will be able to trust you . I think that's reasonable. 

After all, it's a matter of life and death...