When working with a dangerous horse my own safety is first. Second consideration is to not take the horse beyond its fear threshold. If I keep just below the place where it feels it needs to attack or defend itself the animal and I can generally begin to communicate effectively. It is not always exactly obvious where that fear threshold is. Some horses actually hide it. This is where extreme patience, caution, experience and direct use of intuition can be very helpful, including not assuming anything about the horse. Often I handle dangerous horses from a safe distance. I will work them from a distance where the horse cannot get at me easily or quickly. Most dangerous horses I have known, abused stallions in particular, work easily from a distance. Gain their trust via good and appropriate leadership and you gain a wonderful partner. Lauren Woodard and Tami Eddy Lewis and Frank Bell and Cindy Hartzell and Rebecca Gillham know exactly what I am talking about. Many others too. No room for macho BS here.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:25:13 +0000