| Does it matter? Of course it does! Horses are just | | | | Can you begin to understand how this concept could |
| like people in that their self confidence and belief in | | | | have an effect on your horse's training? Which horse |
| who they are has everything to do with how they | | | | would you rather ride? Go to a show with? Go on a |
| respond to us. Their self esteem will affect how | | | | trail ride on? Jump? Rope a cow off of? |
| much trust they have in us and how willing they are | | | | So now you'll want to know how do I get my horse |
| to do whatever it is we ask of them or even give to | | | | to this place? How can I build his self esteem? |
| them. | | | | To be fair it seems some horses are born that way |
| Let me illustrate such a concept by telling of an | | | | but I'm thinking it's not so much their DNA as much |
| experience I had recently with my neighbor's horses. | | | | as it is their mother or their early experiences but |
| She has two, both rescued. One was a lovely older | | | | there are still things you can do. First off it has to be |
| Arabian whose owner passed away. She was very | | | | a mindset and you have to be determined to prove |
| shy, timid, scared and fearful, hard to approach or | | | | to your horse that his life is a good thing that he can |
| put a halter on and had never been taught to go | | | | trust you and life is not only fair but fun. You do this |
| undersaddle. The other was a young Pinto Nat'l | | | | by always being kind to your horse and by knowing |
| Showhorse, similar breeding but this horse was | | | | and speaking his language and if you want him to |
| outgoing to the point of being gregarious, willing to | | | | trust you, you must never let him down. |
| follow and although quite rambunctious anyone could | | | | That being said of course you don't let him literally |
| sit on him. It was sad watching the Arab skulking | | | | walk all over you. Remember the part about |
| around afraid of her own shadow but exhilarating to | | | | "speaking his language"? If you don't know about |
| watch the Pinto, tail and head high prancing around as | | | | horse behavior or what people label as "horse |
| though he owned the place with a joyful demeanor | | | | whispering" you might want to study that for awhile |
| always up for a romp and with an attitude of | | | | and become more confident in your horse |
| excitement to meet each day. | | | | communication skills. |
| What was the difference between the two? Self | | | | When you teach new concepts and your horse is |
| esteem! It was made clearly evident to me that day | | | | getting frustrated don't hesitate to go back to |
| when I had an extra apple and thought I'd offer it to | | | | something they can do well. Asking him to do |
| the Arab. (I've always been one to try to boost up | | | | something that's already in his repertoire and then |
| the underdog) I was surprised when she actually | | | | praising him and telling him how great he is can lift his |
| stepped over to me because she often stood quietly | | | | spirit and bring his focus back. Come on, we do that |
| over in a corner under a tree and as far away as she | | | | for our other pets, do you think your horse is less |
| could be from civilization but today she made the | | | | intelligent than them? |
| leap of faith and came to see what I offered. I held | | | | I once worked with a Thoroughbred that was having |
| the apple out as far as I could to get her near | | | | issues but if I took a break and went to doing |
| enough to it as she sniffed, baulked, blowed, sniffed | | | | awesome turns on the haunches (which he could do |
| again. This routine seemed to go on for hours as I | | | | even at a canter) his mood lifted immediately. We |
| continued to coax and assure her it was edible and a | | | | made it a game and as he excelled at this very |
| good thing. Finally just when it seemed she would get | | | | difficult maneuver I would shower him with endless |
| close enough to investigate here came the Pinto | | | | praise and in no time we could go back to what he |
| bouncing gleefully over and without so much as a | | | | had found to be difficult and I would find little or no |
| pause, all in one swoop stepped right into her space | | | | resistance whatsoever almost as though he was a |
| and gulped up the apple in passing saying a big "thank | | | | completely different horse and in a way he was. |
| you!" with batting his eyes and skipped on about his | | | | So my advice to you when you hit a wall with your |
| business. | | | | horse in his training is to find and go back to that one |
| I couldn't help but notice this life's lesson as I mused | | | | thing you know he can do well. Spend as much time |
| over the difference in the two of them and how we | | | | on it as is fun and affords you the opportunity to |
| look at the world. As Dr. Wayne Dyer states in "The | | | | convince him of his worth and then try your |
| Power of Intention", we either look at this Universe | | | | challenging work again. If the task is still too much for |
| as something to fear or as something good and for | | | | your horse to cope with them finish with something |
| us to enjoy. To the Arabian the apple was something | | | | he can conqueror. Call it a day and assure him he's |
| to fear because she had poor self esteem and | | | | the greatest and you appreciate his efforts. |
| expected everything in her life to be a threat. To the | | | | Remember, building self esteem takes some time, |
| Pinto and without any investigation he simply knew | | | | perhaps the lifetime of your horse but I can assure |
| the apple had to be a good thing because it was | | | | you being more aware of his need to feel worthy |
| coming from my hand and because of his high self | | | | can greatly change your attitude toward him and his |
| esteem he knew he could trust me and expected | | | | work causing you to be a more mindful rider and |
| everything in his life to be good. | | | | thoughtful trainer. |