by Mary Gallagher
Why are horses' legs long?I know you know the answer to this, but I will spell it out anyway. To fly away from fear. Those long legs on your horse were meant to outrun predators. And linked to those legs are emotions, which are hard-wired in the horse's brain for survival. So, that being said, can we use that natural flight instinct to produce a more emotionally fit horse that can be more comfortable in the human environment?
Lets start by considering two attitudes:
Immediacy
Relaxation
Both exist in our horse's natural state. The combination of exercising these two emotions together can bring us to a new awareness in the emotional fitness of our horse. This means that if we concentrate on exercising these two emotions together--at the same time, in whatever time we are spending with our horse--we will be working on his emotional fitness. So when you see the opportunity of Immediacy arise go with it, and then also look for the opportunity to work Relaxation into the equation as well.
So, while you are out working around the farm, watch the horses interact with each other. See if you can pick up on these two attitudes as each member of the herd positions him or herself around the feeder or during playtime in the pasture.
Wishing you the best in horsemanship!
(Originally published Feb 2013)
