CentaurGenics®


	CALENDAR : NEWS & ARTICLES : TESTIMONIALS : SERVICES & PRODUCTS : BIOGRAPHIES : WEATHER : CONTACT

NEWS & ARTICLES : The Trouble with Avoidance Horse Problems Don't Magically Disappear

The Trouble with Avoidance Horse Problems Don't Magically Disappear (originally published in PetFolio magazine)

In the following story, the names have been changed to protect the guilty.

Jill just loves her horse. He seems frightened and worried, so she's certain that his prior life was full of mean people. She vows to train him only with love and kindness, and never raise her voice or hand to him. After all, she is certain that's the best way to raise and train a young horse so he'll trust her and do whatever she asks.

One day a neighbor visits them, and Jill's horse bites her for no apparent reason. Jill refuses to discipline her horse, because, after all, she will train him using only love and kindness.

Shortly thereafter, Jill's horse bites her--hard--for no apparent reason. Again, she only wonders why he did that, but now she fears he may bite again. Jill now avoids his mouth as much as possible, and keeps his head away from her. He gets more bitey than before. He also starts to threaten her in subtle ways as she goes about her duties in his pen. Still, she offers only love and kindness. However, her visits to her horse become briefer, and her training begins to deteriorate. "Avoidance" becomes her primary operating system.

Whether it is not taking your horse to a show because he won't trailer, or your horse simply turns his rump to you when you try to catch him, avoiding the situation won't make it better.

In fact, what your horse needs most to help him through these situations, or "Yeah, but--" moments, is a strong and fearless leader. If the horse perceives no leader, then the horse will make the decisions. He does that by dominating humans like he would dominate other horses in a herd--sometimes with teeth and feet, sometimes by simply doing what he feels he needs to do.

You can maintain a loving, kind relationship with your horse, building mutual trust and respect by establishing a clear leadership position. No abuse is necessary, but often we are not firm enough at the right time for the right reasons.