This discussion explores how to encourage politeness in horses by using mutual awareness and soft, clear communication rather than corrections or dominance-based methods.
Key Approaches to Encouraging Politeness
1. Modeling Politeness Instead of Correcting Behavior
• Instead of focusing on stopping unwanted behaviors, the approach emphasizes demonstrating the desired behavior and leading by example.
• Horses tend to mirror their social partners, so if the handler is careful and respectful, the horse will respond in kind.
2. Developing Mutual Awareness
• Responding to every small movement from the horse, much like in human conversations.
• Adjusting body posture, breathing, and tension to encourage subtle and reciprocal communication.
• Horses quickly become interested in this micro-communication and begin mirroring small cues.
3. Using Soft but Clear Signals
• Instead of blocking or pushing the horse away, handlers can become very slow and careful, making the horse naturally adjust their own movements.
• Subtle signals, such as shifting weight or adjusting breathing, help refine communication without force.
4. Encouraging Responsibility in the Horse
• Rather than just reacting to human commands, the horse learns to regulate their own space and behavior through interactive play.
• If a horse moves too close, stepping away in a non-confrontational manner signals that politeness is required for continued interaction.
5. Practical Application in Training
• By using tiny movements and rewards, the horse begins paying closer attention to the handler’s smallest cues.
• Over time, horses become more refined in their responses, needing less external guidance and developing self-awareness.
Insights from Participants
• Politeness is encouraged, not forced—the horse’s intrinsic motivation grows rather than being shaped through corrections.
• Attention and awareness must be mutual—the handler should be just as present and engaged as they expect the horse to be. • A shift from “you must” to “I feel” communication fosters a more respectful and understanding relationship.