3 Tips for getting your horses respect

Ah, the age-old question: Is your horse channeling their inner rebel, pushing boundaries, and generally giving you a hard time? 

It's like a wild dance, and not the good kind with sequins and a disco ball. 

I get it; we've all been there, questioning our moves and wondering who's leading the wrong cha-cha. But fear not, because in the world of hooves and gallops, there's a way to waltz through this challenge without resorting to the tired steps of power struggles.

You see, I was once in a world where the law of the land was "be scarier than the thing your horse is scared of." It's like trying to win a staring contest with a unicorn – noble in theory, but not very practical. And let's face it, engaging in a never-ending showdown with your equine companion isn't exactly a picnic under the sun.

“Being the bigger, scarier object: it’s like trying to win a staring contest with a unicorn - noble in theory, but not very practical”

So, here's the lowdown: the truth is, for most of us mere mortals, trying to out-tough a horse isn't exactly a winning strategy, especially if you're a rider who's still navigating the beginner to intermediate waters. It's like bringing a rubber ducky to a jousting match – cute, but not exactly effective.

Harmony in Respect

But hold onto your saddles, because there's a more harmonious way to lead this dance, and it doesn't involve trying to be the sheriff of the stables. 

Enter the stage, Compassionate Leadership, the second pillar of the Holistic Horse Handling Methodology. 

Instead of demanding respect from your horse like a strict teacher, it's about fostering a partnership built on trust, understanding, and a sprinkle of equestrian empathy.

Respect, my fellow equestrians, isn't something that's demanded from your horse like an overdue rent payment. It's a result, a beautiful byproduct of the relationship you share. It's the dance moves that flow seamlessly when both partners are in sync. 

Imagine the tango where the lead isn't forced, but rather an invitation that's gracefully accepted.

How to gain your horse's respect

Now, let's talk about the ingredients that whip up this equestrian masterpiece, which we work through inside the Holistic Horse Handling Methodology. 

1. First up, psychological safety:

   Just like any relationship, your horse needs to feel secure, not like they're tip-toeing around landmines. It's about becoming the reliable anchor in their world, a safe haven where fears can be faced together. 

   Allowing your horse permission to communicate their needs allows your horse to feel safe in relationship to you. You won’t always like what your horse has to say but it is important to listen and negotiate the terms of engagement fairly (and no, telling your horse how much you spend on feed, agistment and tack is not the part of the negotiation that they respond to) it’s the quality of how you show up in relationship with them.

2. And oh, the magic word- Congruence:

   No, it's not about doing a funky chicken dance (unless you want to, of course). It's about aligning your intentions, emotions, and actions. Horses, being the intuitive creatures they are, appreciate honesty more than a stable full of carrots.

   But wait, there's more! 

3. Teamwork:

   Remember those awkward school group projects? Well, this is nothing like that. It's about acknowledging that you and your horse are a duo, partners in this symphony of hooves and heartbeats. When you work together, it's not just a dance; it's a full-blown musical.

So, the next time your horse decides to test the waters of rebellion, remember, it's not about being a cowboy superhero. It's about wielding the power of compassion, understanding, and mutual respect. 

The dance floor of the arena doesn’t have to be a battlefield; with the Holistic Horse Handling Methodology you can build a stage for a harmonious duet where you both lead and follow in perfect harmony. 

So, swap out power struggles for a graceful pas de deux, and let the magic unfold.