Respect
Each of us wishes to have a horse who listens to us, accepts and perceives who we are and does what we want the horse to do. Respect is the most important in relationships with horses and people. We as a person would like to be respected and perceived the same as a horse. Respect = trust and understand each other. Here is the blueprint:
- Create both sides respect: Horse respects me = I respect the horse.
- We must build respect and we create it during our common work (walking from the paddock, cleaning, riding, caring, handling etc)
- Positive respect is without requests, limits, influence - it is natural and understandable, appreciate each other
- Negative respect is fear, communication from distance, caution, close-mind, distrust
- Clearly known boundaries are basic
- We set up boundaries, the most important is stay consistent
- Listening and understanding each other
- Time and hard work builds respect
Example: Horse still hits me with his head, runs their mouth on the jacket, wants cookie and we just warm him, but we let him continue in his behavior, the opposite of respect starts here.
You allowed your horse to push your boundaries and it is unpleasant for you. Same principle is used during riding lessons. If the horse doesn't obey your order for the first time, try it again and if it still lasts, try another way. Realize if your horse really listens to you, follows your commands and respects you. Horses sometimes test us if we stand firm for what we want.
