Dignity
Relationship Based Horsemanship
“Mother nature is cruel, but we don’t have to be.” Temple Grandin
Early on in my relationship with Walker, a Half-Arabian/Quarter horse, there was an aspect of his character that I couldn’t see, a part of him that was hidden by layers of abuse from humans. I could sense it, but couldn’t access it or describe it.
Only after years of being together did I realize that one of the most important parts of his being is his inherent sense of dignity. Dignity is a part of his DNA, and integral to his innermost self. His feeling of worthiness is woven into every hair and runs through the marrow of his bones. Imagine a creature like this, knowing from birth that he has nobility and worth, and yet treated by humans with cruelty and disdain?
Dignity defined (thefreedictionary.com):
The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect.
Inherent nobility and worth
Poise and self-respect
My realization of his sense of worth and esteem came on me quickly, as if all of our mutual experiences suddenly coalesced in my mind saying, “Dignity!” My understanding of this fundamental part of Walker didn’t come all at once.
And, sadly, as my understanding grew, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to help him fully regain his trust in humans. We have come such a long way together, but I can feel that he is anticipating an ugly human showing up again in his life. He protects that most precious part of himself from future damage. His ability to entirely trust was ruined early on in his life. I love him all the more for his willingness to see me as trustingly as he can.
As I think about this, it’s impossible to keep tears from welling up in my eyes. How can people be so willfully ignorant and blithely cruel? I have to remind myself that without suffering, there can be no compassion, but when I see that played out with innocent animals, it’s a bitter comprehension.
Interestingly, the Bedouins selectively bred Arabians to be highly intelligent, quick to learn, and of good temperament. In addition, they bred for horses that sought out a human relationship. Arabian horses lived together with the Bedouins like members of their family. I believe that this combination of traits and upbringing is what led Arabians to have a heightened sense of dignity. How could they not feel worthy and noble given their upbringing and having all of these attributes coursing through their veins?
Dignity demands a say. I can develop real trust when I take my horse’s opinion into account. In turn, trust between horses and humans is the buffer that keeps a horse’s dignity intact as we interact. As long as trust exists, dignity is maintained.
As predators, horses instinctively don’t trust us; in the wild, they are prey animals, the food for predators. The basis of the trust we can build in a horse is convincing her first that we would never, ever eat her. Once a horse understands that interactions with humans won’t end in her death, she can start to be curious and respectful, and eventually engage with our desires.
Trust is hard won and easily lost, but I believe that the earlier we start earning a horse’s trust, the more emotionally and mentally resilient a horse will become. It’s both a huge responsibility and a cherished privilege to start our horses on their best possible journey by creating trust between us.
Trusting and taming go hand-in-hand; without trust, horses can’t become truly tame. Becoming tame is a process of letting go. My next article will be reviewing that subject.
Attempting to tame a horse that doesn’t trust you is like trying to put shingles on a roof, only to discover that the house frame was built on sand. You know this because the whole house is swaying as you attempt to climb the ladder to get to the roof. Any serious strain placed on such a structure leads to failure and/or disaster. Once I came to grasp this, I saw that many horses considered tame, aren’t tame. And this state of being for horses would likely be traced to their early handling by humans. Missing are those foundational lessons horses need to establish the basis for real trust with us.
Additionally, a horse’s personality plays a large role in its acceptance of humans, as some horses are more naturally curious, others, more vigilant. Click here to read how personality influences horse learning and behavior.
Breeding also matters a great deal, as breeders can minimize less desirable traits and enhance more desirable ones. Steve likes to say that horse breeders don’t commit suicide, because the next foal could be that one-in-a-million horse, possessing the perfect combination of conformation, temperament, color, and physical ability.
Our foals are wondrously sensitive, so a little bit of direction goes a long way with them. Early on, even a tiny bit of pressure on the halter and lead rope causes them to respond appropriately. It’s a magical feeling to have this kind of horse as a partner. So much of how humans handle horses early on can destroy the sensitivity that makes horses a joy to play with and ride. Tameness helps to keep these traits intact.
For me, working with young Arabians and Half-Arabians allows me to touch and feel the quintessential horse, the horse who looks at me first with skepticism, then trust, and eventually respect as I interact with him appropriately.
It is part of my mission to have every foal experience a great start where their human understands them at this fundamental level.
As an algorithm, my thought process in interacting with the young horse, in particular, is built from the bottom up.
Acknowledge the dignity of the horse
Develop trust
Present challenges/educate
Confirm trust and act accordingly
Build challenges, reinforce education, continue education
Confirm trust, and act accordingly
These are steps that lead to forwarding progress. My expectation is that I will progress with my horse at a greater pace over time if a horse’s dignity is respected and their trust in me remains intact. If I find that trust has been frayed or lost, I will take a step back and start again from that point. I’ve never found my journey with horses to be linear. It’s a process of giving and taking that resembles more of a maze than a freeway.
For me, this all embodies the idea of, “Be the leader you wish you had.”
Be that for your horse.
And, don’t forget to bring cookies along the way!
Questions? Struggles? Write a comment below or message me on Facebook.
For more information about the amazing horses that have been and are being bred and raised on the HAAP farm, go to www.arabpinto.com
If you have questions for me about any of my posts, please feel free to contact me at isabellefarmer@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/arabpintos