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Problem Behaviors and Coping Strategies
Problem Behaviors and Coping Strategies (originally
published in PetFolio magazine)
Develop your leadership skills – in your
horse's opinion!
Every time someone asks me what to do about
their horse's problem behavior, I usually answer "That
depends." That's not what they are looking
for, but it's true! Because each horse
is unique, each one will require something different.
Pinching the muzzle of one horse who bites may
stop him, but another one will get more aggressive
or think it's a game and keep it going. Similarly,
one horse who is slapped when he raises a hind
foot at you may realize clearly that he made
a mistake, while another one may just decide
to double-barrel you to get the point across. So,
it really does depend – at least on the
situation, on the context of the behavior, and
on the individual personality of the horse. I'll
share with you several specific things I've found
to be fairly firm in horse language, and can
make a big difference in your relationship.
1. Who leads whom? If you find that your
horse habitually leads you around, it's a pretty
sure thing that you are not the leader. There
is a "zone" from the horse's muzzle
forward that makes you the dominant member of
the herd. Walking next to his shoulder
is the "weakest" leading position,
and the most likely place for him to know he's
the leader. Find a way to have your horse
positioned behind and off to the side of you
as you lead him – it will change a lot
about your relationship for the better.
2. Who is moving whose feet first? Does
your horse crowd you and make you feel compelled
to step out of his way? If so, he's taken
the leadership position away from you. Always
move his feet, rather than letting him move yours. Having
him step either his front feet or his hind feet
sideways or backing him a ways will go a long
way toward reestablishing your leadership position.
3. Who is watching whom? When you make
a move does your horse watch you intently and
follow your lead, or do you keep your eye on
him and just wait to see what he's up to so you
can correct him? Be interesting enough for your
horse to want to watch you. Have a plan
and a clear idea about what you do want from
your horse. If he loses interest in you, change
your plan, get his feet moving somewhere you
want them to go, and refocus him on you.
4. Protect your space! Define a bubble
that you protect with all your might no matter
what. You may love on him and enter his space,
but he may not enter yours without an invitation.
This is just scratching the surface of the possibilities
for leadership. Give them a try and see
how your relationship with your horse improves.
Be consistent, patient and persistent. Remember
that real leaders have a plan.
-Rebekka Rhodes
©2006 by CentaurGenics®. All rights reserved.
