What Horses Want

Do horses want to go to work for a living? Probably no more than we do. However, we know the difference between having a job we love and a job we hate. We also know which one makes us want to get up in the morning and start our day, and which one we dread.

Our horses are completely dependent on us for their care and well-being. I think it's fair to ask them to work for us, but I also believe that what we ask them to do should enrich their lives, not take away from them.

When we ride our horses using rough hands, harsh words, and brutal legs or spurs, we are doing ourselves and our horses a huge injustice and disservice. If you are a "cowboy" type rider, you will never experience your horse's true potential...because he's responding to you out of intimidation, fear, and pain, not understanding, participation, and partnership.
Now I'm not saying that you aren't getting the results you want. What I am saying is that you aren't getting the results that are possible, and your horse is silently (or maybe not so silently depending on how cowed or tolerant he is) suffering through his own experience.

Strive to work with your horse in a way that respects his body and his mind.
He will thank you for it and be better for it...and so will you.