We act. What this means to me is that people are seldom 100% honest. We go through our lives playing this game. But without 100% honesty there can never be 100% trust. We question, suspect. \u00a0We talk about people behind their backs. We write things in emails and text messages that we wouldn’t dream of saying in a face to face conversation.<\/p>\n
Humans, as social animals, are horrible!<\/p>\n Horses on the other hand, are like a breath of fresh air in a world stagnant with pretense. They are intelligent animals incapable of deceit. I know you’ll have some story about a dishonest horse. But think about it: a horse can only be a horse. A horse can only think like a horse. A horse can only act like a horse. So calling a horse dishonest, manipulative or my favorite: my horse has a behavior problem<\/em>, is simply a method people have of personifying their horses to explain behavior they either don’t understand, or that they feel is amusing.<\/p>\n Horses are honest. As such their trust must be earned. Horses are capable of forming bonds with other horses and people which can be extremely close; you’ll find many examples in my writing to back that up. \u00a0What makes a horse honest is that he cannot act, pretend or fake a mood. A true and honest relationship with a horse extends beyond actions. It goes into a realm that is, in it’s own way, spiritual.<\/p>\n I had someone say to me recently, “Animals are so awesome, they love us unconditionally.” Generally, I disagree. \u00a0Most dogs I’ve ever met initially trust you until you give them a reason not to (predator-predator relationship). Horses are the opposite. They will not trust you until you prove you can be trusted (predator – prey relationship). There are obvious and overt conditions and actions that preclude a relationship with a horse. Additionally there are a multitude of subtle conditions that must be met before a horse will form a deep connection with a person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I’d like you to consider this. \u00a0People form bonds with horses because in the horse they find a trust and honesty that is pure<\/em>. \u00a0And that bond must be mutual; if you are honest with your horse and provide leadership in the way the horse understands and requires it, you can have a lifelong partner. What makes this bond so special is that it requires effort to achieve; it isn’t given unconditionally. You can’t be a human actor<\/em> around a horse and expect to have a true connection with him. Forming a connection like that requires that you understand what his mental needs are and provide them. A bond like this requires that you are able to feel your horse on a deep psychological level, and in turn communicate empathically with him.<\/p>\n A relationship this honest and open will never exist until you can let your guard down and be honest and open with yourself<\/em>.<\/p>\n Learning a horse on this level is a journey that might take years, but the payoffs are profound, moving and generally life changing. At least they have been for me.<\/p>\n Several years ago my gelding, Ty, broke his neck. \u00a0We went down a long road of rehabilitation; initially he could barely walk as his spinal cord was compromised. As the years went by, he progressed: I have worked cattle on him and ridden him to the top of a mountain. \u00a0We share a mutual understanding. \u00a0I know, without a doubt, that he is aware that I’m responsible for saving his life. \u00a0I see that in his eye. \u00a0I feel it from him. \u00a0In turn, that horse has taught me how to create a peaceful space for horses – an asset a herd leader must have – and a skill that I now employ when working with any horse.<\/p>\n Ty has taught me that faith, honesty and trust are real. Our relationship is deep. \u00a0Ty probably understands it better than I do because his understanding isn’t clouded by guesswork, philosophy, reasoning or personification. It simply is what it is, and it’s pure. It’s that purity that takes my breath away when he, or any other horse, shows it. When working with horses I find that purity\u00a0<\/em>is an addictive component; it’s exhilarating. \u00a0It’s energizing. It’s life.<\/p>\n But there are downsides to a relationship like that. \u00a0The potential for worry. \u00a0Loss. \u00a0Guilt. \u00a0On average our lives are longer than our horse’s lives by a factor of at least three. \u00a0I was told by someone once, \u00a0“If you care for that horse, she’ll die.” \u00a0Well, she’ll eventually die anyway.<\/p>\n So will I.<\/p>\n And that said, there is a window of opportunity where our lives intertwine, intersect and even merge to an extent. It’s up to us how we use that window because it is of finite duration. It truly is an opportunity if you choose to take it. \u00a0It’s \u00a0an opportunity for us to explore, to learn. \u00a0An opportunity for us to feel and experience the uniqueness of the horse that extends so much further than just riding, competing or working.<\/p>\n Careful, though, this is an addiction. But it’s a healthy one. It’s also not for everyone. People involved with horses run the gamut from those that put 100% priority on the horse to those that put 100% priority on themselves. The former are horsemen who are content to let the horse speak for their skill. Their efforts are reflected in the obvious connection they share with their horse, who is smooth and fluid and entirely content – no matter what the task. The latter would be people for whom the horse is a tool to advance them to a certain competitive level. They might employ a trainer for their horse and seldom interact with the horse between training sessions or shows. Most horse people will fall in between somewhere. Hopefully you find a spot where both you and the horse realize mutual and lifelong benefits.<\/p>\n The reason that I’ve been contemplating these thoughts is that several days ago I almost lost Ty. And it’s caused me to think about not only how special he is to me, but how much potential all horses have. They have the potential to be our most trusted friends. Our most honest friends. \u00a0Whether we compete, trail ride or train, we are always building and exploring our relationship and commitment to each other. <\/span><\/p>\n While I was away, Ty was discovered by my house-sitter. \u00a0He was lying on his side, unable to get up. He was shivering. \u00a0She put a blanket over him, and called me and the vet. \u00a0While the vet was on his way, I called him to discuss Ty’s previous neurological injuries so that he had a basis to treat him. Not being at home and not being able to provide help and support was a sickening feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"chip](\"http:\/\/articles.amazinghorsecountry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chip_newborn.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a>