Compassion Towards the Horse
We can take the horse out of the wild but can we take the wild out of the horse?
How did you answer the question above?
Did you jump to answer “YES” or did you ponder that question?
If you pondered that question then you understand that there is a continuous learning curve. Ask questions and do your own research is sound advice. To assume that we can strong arm, break and completely take the wild out of any horse is inaccurate. We can weaken a horse to a point that the wild is less apparent or seemingly non-existent. A horse does not forget its own innate power and connection with earth.
Just because everyone else is doing it, does it make it right?
Horses feel unsafe in the common “horse environment” created by man - separated in stalls for more than 50% of the day. This environment is very unnatural for any horse, even “domesticated” horses. While horses may have the ability to learn in just about any environment, we cannot ignore that the stall environment feels unsafe for horses and this is likely causing stress for the horse. When the body is stressed, the body is not at rest, thus the body is unable to repair itself. This stress can and does manifest into suppressed immune systems and disease, as well as behavioral issues such as pacing, chewing, cribbing etc.
Hiding pain is a survival skill that all horses have, especially in the eyes of a predator. Control is not synonymous with trust. A horse has only two places for a human: predator or a part of the herd. A horse chooses a leader based on respect. Respect in a herd is earned through trust. Submission by force does not earn respect or trust from a horse. Submission by choice earns respect and trust from a horse. Where does one start to achieve this? From the beginning.
Humans tend to focus only on what can be seen. Horses operate based on what is felt.
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