Hot.To.Trot 1988 - party animals ( I like this moment )

In the Horse's Eye..

Am I a FOLLOWER, or am I a LEADER? am I a PASSENGER, or am I a RIDER?

Last Saturday's training has left me stumped. Thinking. A lot of thinking. Our focus was on Eli and although I was aware we were in need of some help with ground work and needed to catch up for lost time (3 months)  I didn't realize how bad it had gotten.

I feel responsible and am disappointed that I took things for granted. I am learning so many lesson's not just from instructor's and people with a good horse background or equine foundation but also from the horses themselves.

I had a dilemma recently with Ella as well, as to whether or not I should be riding her and when to stop and start again. I received some good advice and in that came to the conclusion that Ella will be able to answer more of my questions or concerns herself. Such as when I should stop riding her as she's uncomfortable and when would be an OK time to resume. Eli is now teaching me that even a well broke horse of 9 years old can get out of hand for a green rider/owner if not ridden consistently for 3 months. The biggest message was received this past Saturday when he was out of hand or disobedient for the instructor giving her a hard time and challenging everything. Knowing he is familiar with what is being asked of him and is well trained I know this is more about me and how I handle him then him.

In Eli's Eye I've become a passenger and lower on the totem pole or on the hierarchy chain. I should have known better, this was shown to me out at pasture when he started refusing to come in. I thought it was more about him being herd bound (wanting to stay with the herd) and less about him or I being the dominant one. Know I realize that regardless of whether or not he wants to stay with the herd, if I am the dominant one then he will come with me and feel safe and protected. If I am passive and submissive therefore lower on the totem pole he won't feel safe and protected, will want to stay with the herd and will tell me 'no way, I'm staying here thanks' being the dominant one.

I think that all of this has resulted from my inexperience and him being a naturally dominant horse. My idea was that I would gain knowledge, experience, training and progress to a level suitable to maintain his training but have quickly learned that I'm too slow and cannot wait anymore for my confidence to be built on my riding ability or training/experience. If my confidence is low and I'm not assertive then he is going to take the charge and a 1200 lb horse is hard to argue with and to it isn't safe.

If I can't do this, then I have to be honest and admit that I got in over my head as a Thoroughbred is a different breed and not recommended for a beginner. He is a great horse with an experienced person, someone to keep him fit and inline, but all my little mistakes or my inability to communicate are making for a challenge that no one should have to fix, or deal with from a horse that's had quite a few years of consistent riding and training.

Here is a quote from the  lesson's book I have from when I took riding lesson's at Copall Equestrian Centre back in Manitoba (book written in cooperation between Darlene Dolinski, Owner and Manager of Copall and Sadie Turko, Program Cooridnator and Head Instructor) I think the Training Manuals can be purchased by contacting D&S Publishers 1-204-878-2061, printed by Derksen Printers Ltd.

With regards to removing the horse from the herd, pasture or paddock "if it's the follower, it will be in its nature to test the leader to see if it can become the leader. The horse will test in little ways, much like a child will test the parents. If your answer to the horse is a firm one, then the horse will usually accept it and not query you on it again. If you are indecisive about your answer, if your answer is weak, or if you don't hear the question, the horse will continue to test and may conclude that you are the follower not the leader"

I have to become the leader, I have to stop being intimidated, afraid or nervous as all these traits make me weak in the horses eyes and lead to nervousness and being skiddish or dominance.


First step is to identify what I have been doing wrong, here is what I can identify: 

• being nervous
• hesitating
• not following through due to lack of confidence
• not correcting behavior like pulling, walking in front and not stopping

What am I going to change to correct this behavior:

• stop being nervous
• don't hesitate - be CONFIDENT
• follow through with authority, I am the leader not the follower, if need be - do so with trainer
• pulling, walking in front and not stopping will result in backing up and standing still 

What do I have to REMEMBER: 

• LEADERSHIP
• CONFIDENCE
• CONSISTENCY
• REPETITION 
• TIMING 
• PRESSURE SYSTEM (scale 1-10, release = reward, match the energy level) 
• Most importantly PATIENCE!!! 

No bull dozing, turn him around, stop him and back him up. Make him stand, don't let him be RUDE! These are the words running through my head now. 

My own thoughts, it is NOT a game, it is NOT cute when a 1200 lb horse is being RUDE and disrespectful and most of all it is NOT SAFE! 

It's not safe for humans and it is not safe for the horse. It is my job and responsibility to condition and maintain Eli and Ella. If I don't I have failed them in the end, I've seen this time and time again with Pit Bull dogs, why would I be any different? People breed them for whatever reason, then they (the cute little puppies) grow up to be strong dogs. It's not their fault their breed was bred to be muscular and strong and with little fear. They are energetic, athletic and require a lot of exercise and a dominant leader as their owner so they are trained and obedient. They are not little dogs and generally don't have passive or meek temperaments but are rather adventurous and brave. They are not a dog meant to be owned by someone who isn't familiar with their high energy level or strength and they require work or can be intimidating and dangerous when full grown if not handled properly and socialized. 

Just like the Pit Bull or any large breed dog Great Dane, Newfoundlander etc. Thoroughbreds were bred to be tall, long, muscular, fast and athletic and also with little fear. They too are not recommended for the inexperienced or green owners.

But I understand there is an exception to every rule and you can't stereotype based on breed, so I thought and people do the same thing I did with Eli - because you feel responsible, or bad based on what you've read and come to learn and you want to help. 

People adopt grown dogs to rescue them but sometimes their lack of knowledge makes things worse. That's how I feel in this case, I knew that ex-race horses were re-homed just like grey hounds and I knew that a lot of them went to the meat plant, I also thought that a lot of people wouldn't want them as they are a lot of work, but what I didn't know for sure is if I am capable of the work without the knowledge or the experience? And this I am learning I am not, not without help and giving my head a shake and stepping up. A Thoroughbred requires a owner who is confident and aware of their high energy and need for consistent exercise and routine. The confident part is the need to be the leader and exhibit authority when needed, this is were the work comes in. Imagine a 3 - 5 year old dog pent up in the house all day, left unattended and neglected, not taken out for a walk or job -  you can expect your couch to be eaten. Who's fault is that the dogs, or the owners?  

The LESSON'S horse certainly is teaching me some lessons. 

Patience, TIME WILL TELL, I am taking this seriously, but I am not giving up yet!