Do You Demand Your Horse's Complete Attention?
19. Jul, 2009 
28 Comments
When you are with your horse, do you demand his/her complete attention? I don’t.
In the worlds of traditional and natural horsemanship, there is a lot of talk about what constitutes respect. Determining the nature of respect can help you get it from your horse. Commanding his or her full attention while together is an element of respect. Last week I had a conversation with a trainer who was called in to help a horse owner who was having trouble getting the respect of her horse. Here was the problem:
When standing at the end of the lead rope, the horse would twitch an ear away from the owner on occasion. The owner wanted both eyes, and both ears, and a horse at full attention, rather like a soldier in an inspection line. I imagined this owner standing stamping in rage before the horse like a little Hitler. Lots of people want this. I was taught to demand it of my horses early on. But I don’t ask for it anymore, and I hope the trainer succeeds in convincing the horse owner that it’s neither necessary nor desirable to get it.
In horses, attention is not always evidence of respect. Insisting that full attention is evidence of respect is disrespectful of the horse. Watch any clinician who insists on it and you will notice subtle signs of stress in the horses during sessions. When allowed to rest, they really rest. Is this what we really want?
The human nervous system, because we are predators, is capable of complete focus, excluding all stimuli thought to be extraneous to the task at hand. Remember the last time you were trying hard to do something important? You didn’t notice the fact that time was passing, that you were growing hungry, the weather, etc. A horse’s nervous system, because it is a prey animal, is set up differently. In many ways, its perception system is superior because it is capable of multiprocessing. After millennia necessitating attention to all the stimuli in its surroundings, the horse is an expert at dividing its attention. Just because it is aware of what you are asking and the sound of other potential predators in the woods does not mean it is disrespectful.
I would argue that we commit a grievous sin against them in demanding such attention. It is the dark side of anthropomorphism. With our narrower range of processing skills, we move directly to aggression (shaking the lead rope to bring their heads up in momentary alarm, etc.) to get their full attention to try to force them to our way of processing instead of trying to see the world from their point of view: a vastly superior way of looking at the world, especially when it comes to riding and working in partnership. We as predators are too quick to attribute fight to their potential for flight because after thousands of years together, we still do not understand the nature of these large and inscrutable animals.
Demanding a horse’s full attention is a misguided assertion of dominance that disresepectfully discounts their very neurological nature.
website
Hey Kim… I agree. Some trainers are into what I consider overkill. I’m for respect, but not to the point of seeing how high I can make my horse “jump” every time I ask for something. Have you noticed that when you go to a new barn, the owner has his/her own way of doing things and (of course) thinks it is the best way. I’m sure many of my horse friends think I’m nuts. I run my horses in a herd, I can open the gate to their stalls and they know where to go on their own without being led (my barn is inside the fence), I can groom them in the paddock without being tied, to worm them (which I don’t overdo) I can put a rope around their neck and they let me do it, and I pick my paddocks and pastures everyday. I also believe that some vets take us to the cleaners regarding shots etc. That is another story. What are we doing to our horses (and dogs for that matter)? We put way too many things in their bodies that are unnecessary as we ruin their own immune systems. I would love your opinion on that one.
Hope all is well and you are enjoying the sunshine.
I agree as well, with both your post and Lori’s comment, which I could have written myself!
I’ve never wanted my horses to be like automatons on lead lines or in a bridle – I want them to retain their own spirits and to be free to communicate with me – which means looking to the woods if they hear something there, stopping if something hurts, flicking their head to get at a fly if they need to.
I have had trainers tell me that my horse should not dare go for a fly unless I give him permission – to me, that’s slavery. I don’t want that kind of relationship!
People have taken these things to extremes. The issue of respect parallels the issues people have about wanting absolute control over their horse. Because it is on my own mind at this time, the control issue in folks comes out in the yanking of the bit, the swatting of the horse for being “naughty”, and the tugging on the leadline.
In essence these people have no control over their own lives, so when their horse (in their eyes) “disrespects them” (just like the people in their life do) they use their anger in response and then call it “training.”
I have always found these people to be ineffectual in their daily lives – rugs that everyone steps on – and with their horse they get a giddy rush of being in charge of something much larger and powerful. Usually these people wanting absolute control seem to swing between being too harsh and being too permissive in their training.
There is nothing wrong with “respect” but people are viewing it through a people lense – just like you wrote about the nervous system. And they implement it when they are emotional, angry and frustrated.
Just more people foolishness unfortunately
…
I think the most important thing is for the RIDER to be 100% tuned in to their horse and BE AWARE of the horse, his muscles, his reactions and your environment. Too many times, I have seen people who want to solve the world’s problems or take on all the family and friend issues in their lives… while spending time around or on their horse. NOT FAIR! We wonder why they get distracted, when the rider is the one distracted. I think we owe them the respect of when we are being with them, we are BEING with them.
How could I possibly add anything to these great comments you received on this post. I agree with everyone and especially horseideology.
There seems to be an inordinate amount of people who work, ride and train horses that need to ‘lighten up’ and enjoy their horses. They need to realize the affection and respect the horses do give us all simply by letting us be a part of their lives. Asking too much of a horse as in your example of ear twitching is just ridiculous and people like that probably need to find a new hobby where they can push something else around … like a pencil.
These two elements of respect and attention are partners. A horse shows respect (usually) to one more elevated in the herd hierarchy. That is where we need to be, not necessarily at the top of the ladder, but anyway a rung or two above one’s horse.
Then there is attention. A horse’s natural behaviour dictates attention to many things – other horses, animals moving in the brush and other potential threats, sources of food and water, poo that of course needs sniffing (and marking – I ride a stallion), what the ground is like and where to place feet, and so on. I guess that doesn’t allow a lot of time for standing still with both eyes and both ears focussed on the rider.
So I’d prefer my horse to respect me but to pay attention to the most important environmental factors and stimuli. That way he may listen to me, and hopefully he will neither spook nor trip up. If I can help him by letting him stretch on a loose rein and geberally be relaxed, all the better.
Lori
I’m talking about trainers, but I’m also talking about horse owners. I can’t remember who, but I think it was Mark Rashid who talks about visiting a client who insisted on her horse’s complete attention (albeit she intermittently enforced this and confused the horse) because she’d been taught that by a natural horsemanship clinician. The misapplication of principles by students is a problem, as we’ve discussed before.
You bring up a great point about the over-immunization. We’ll have to discuss that at some point.
Sunshine is great. I’m sitting on Linda’s lanai, overlooking the sea, and enjoying the breeze, with a cup of hot coffee. How much better can life get?
Pattie! How nice to see you here! Wow!
“I think we owe them the respect of when we are being with them, we are BEING with them.”
So true. And it doesn’t hurt to look at the world through their eyes from time to time.
ghm
or a broom!
Thanks for responding.
whp
I understand your view that respect and attention are partners, but I do not see one as sole evidence of the other.
And as you know, with stallions there is a lot to pay attention to. There is a lot in the environment to attend to besides us and our demands. Of course, safety is utmost in importance, but as you say, giving them a loose rein and the ability to decide on his own (they do have brains, after all!) what’s most important (hopefully YOU) means your respect them.
I’m glad this came out of your big jumble! I started to write you a comment but it got so long I couldn’t post it, so I decided to post it on my blog with a link back here. Now you’ve got my brain going and we’re all in trouble
jme
So glad to get your brain going. I don’t consider it trouble at all! I’m buzzing over to your blog right now. Yippee!
Had just that discussion today with a friend. Agreed that as we age, we communicate better with our horses because they mellow into us when we approach them, touch them, care for them with respect first and foremost. When we respect their nature which is social and bond forming, when we recognize how easy it is to stress them with our drive and aggressive demands and expectation of obedience NOW, NOW, NOW. I work with a trainer who does not chase horses around. He walks up to them, stands, touches them and the horse are his. I have seen LTJ and the same phenomenon applies. Respect, recognition. Time. This is what good relationships are based on, and not just with horses either.
I’d like to weigh in as a person who started out being TOO forgiving and permissive with my horse. It’s just my personality. So when I started working with my trainer, the idea of demanding respect brought about alot of improvement in my relationship with my horse. He actually seemed happier too–more relaxed. But this does not mean I expect to control him all the time. Rather, my expectations have changed in things like having him respect my personal space, work time vs. break time, asking for something and expecting some kind of an honest response, etc. My daughter (who is nine) and I use these words: be the boss, but be a NICE boss. Because let’s face it, they’d rather be eating! Or napping. Or scratching that itch. Of course, feel free to scratch that itch, but then please pick up your foot…like that.
Hi Horseypants,
I love your name. Makes me smile every time I read it. You said it best when you said: “, feel free to scratch that itch, but then please pick up your foot.”
Sounds like you hit the happy medium right off the bat.
I’m a new horse owner and of course have a green 3 year old shetland fillt, so both of us are going to be learning together. After reading all the comments here I thought that isn’t it interesting about this concept of demanding total attention and ‘respect’ when WE want to but we think it’s soooo cute when they are checking everything out – as long as they aren’t checking out all those cute things when we want them to pay attention to US! A bit of a double standard I think.
Hi sabinomesteno
I am enjoying reading your posts and think you’re doing a great job.
I think you’ll find the horse world to be loaded with double standards like the one you describe. One of the hardest things as a horse owner is to be congruent with them. Consistency in what we ask and when we ask it, and being true to our hearts when we ask it, are the most important things for building a trusting relationship. So many mistakes can be overlooked when you have that.
Excellent point! Not only as prey animals, but as herd animals, horses have evolved to be aware of far more details in their environment than just the horse riding blanket on their backs. Mutual respect is a far greater and admirable goal than bullying a horse into submission or obedience. I hope more riders will take your comments to heart and reward their horses for responding to requests, rather than adding to an already “nervous” animal’s fears.
Hi Anne
I enjoy your website, The Equestrian Corner very much. If I only had a horse right now, I’d buy something!
Thanks for coming here and commenting. I really hope you will come here often–it’s nice to have a new voice!
Sometimes the kid staring out the window at school could answer the teacher’s question better than anyone else.
billie
Slavery. It’s shocking how many people demand this without really realizing that’s what it is. Complete domination disguised as communication.
horseideology
People foolishness–so well put! It will be a great day when people foolishness stays with people and is left out of the barn altogether. Isn’t that one of the reasons we ride? I prefer horseplay any day.
caroline
maybe as we age we lose a little of our straight line thinking and drive as well. for me, that would be a good thing. It would also be a good thing for my horse. I have seen Manolo Mendez walk up to a horse and instantly make friends. He makes no demands. I wonder if that’s because he lacks nothing, and therefore needs nothing from the horse. So many riders need to fill empty spots. Unfortunately, they ask their horses to fill them. Pity you can’t always learn from watching someone like Manolo.