Do you trust your horse with your life?

[Storminateacup]

A few weeks ago there was a forum post about people who do not ride their horses or do much more with them than just attend to the most basic of their physical needs. And along with many posts that were added by contributors, I added one where I stated that the bond between myself and my horse was one of mutual trust and dependency, built up from regular hacking out alone and meeting scary things and experiencing things together, and that it was something I deemed very, very important because there are many times when I do have to trust my life to my horse.
The mutual dependency and trust bit was scoffed at by a number of contributors, and I was really quite astounded at the time, because I thought it was a fundamental thing between horse & rider.
Anyway,today I was reading an excellent article in The Scottish & Northern Equestrian Magazine about safety in modern day eventing by Ernest Dillon. In it he states 'find a horse that is courageous independent and agile, treasure him, teach him that you will trust him with your life, . Give him the education he will need, then sit quietly, keep out of his way while he does the job you have skilfully and patiently taught him to do'.

So what do you think, do you trust your horse with your life?
I for one certainly do, I think if I did not, then why should I expect him to trust his life to me.
Is it not that which makes the bond between horse and rider so strong, and that, which has made Generals, Warriors, Chiefs, and Monarchs, Huntsmen and Women, hold the horse in the highest esteem, write poems about them, build statues to them, bury them in great crypts and mausoleums and what makes us cry at their departure more than we do for some of our human friends and relatives?

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

oh yes - he does test me regularly but yes I do trust him 100%. I have never not ridden through something he has done. He has tested me and made me think but never lost my confidence or faith in him.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

what was the orginal post, not been on for a while so missed it.

 

[Parkranger]

Interesting post.

I think it's a very nice idea to think you can trust a horse with your life but I also think it is slightly strange (no offence!)

A horse can be a faithful servant, but it's never going to 'protect' you over himself.....a dog may but then they're not flight animals.

A horse may also see you a 'herd leader' but so many things that a horse does we, as humans, think are signs of bonding. For example;

Whinnying from the field. 99.9% of horses are doing this for food, nothing more nothing less.

'Lovingly' nudging you in the back when in the field/being led. You're in their way and they're pushing you forward to stop everyone from slacking and it's something that my dominant TB does to me!

I'm sure people can think of other examples but I think it's slightly dangerous when people forget that a horses natural instinct will always be to run from danger (real danger) and I think that if youre on top of them at the time, then that's a bonus for you cause if you came off and there was a lion chasing your horse, he sure as well wouldn't stop to come back for you!

 

[Geraldine]

I trust that he won't do anything deliberately to hurt me but he is flesh & blood, not a robot, so we do have 'unexpected occurances'!!!!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

oohhh, good point ParkRanger

mine nudges me the rude little get !!!!

 

[SOB]

No I do not.

I trust he will not bite or kick me and that he will not intentionally hurt me and wil try for me but it stops there. He is half a ton of flight/prey animal and he has a survival instinct that he will follow. As ParkRanger said it becomes very dangerous when people forget.

If we are going the same way when danger comes I am sure he will give me a lift, if not I am on my own!

 

[Parkranger]

Agreed - trusting a horse not to bite or kick you is because he's been educated to understand that is wrong at an early age.....and is completely different to trusting it with your life.

 

[Grumbledor]

Hmm, well, everytime I get on my horse I guess I'm trusting him to do as I ask and not go galloping off running through fences etc! I do think he wouldn't intentionally hurt me and I think his initial reaction to run, or jump away from something scary can be overridden by my influence as a trusted rider or leader, and I can offer encouragement to do thinks like jumping, schooling etc, things he wouldn't naturally do.

However I wouldnt lay down next to his hind legs and trust him not to tread on me if you see what I'm getting at! Its all a matter of reading the suitation you're in.

 

[Patches]

To say I trust Patches with my life is a little bit strong a statement I believe.

However, I do trust that failing the unforseen (ie a car hitting us, tree falling on us or huge scary monsters jumping out from nowhere to gnaw on her) she will bring me home in one piece when I leave the farm. I don't feel nervous or wary of her, so I guess to a certain degree I trust her temperament will remain consistent.

However, when put in mortal danger, I firmly believe Patches own self preservation instincts for herself will be stronger than any sense of obedience towards me as her rider. Blind panic would take over and as such she would not be able to contemplate the consequences of her actions. She would know that she simply has to flee the danger she perceives she is in.

 

[kerilli]

Yes, every single time I get into the saddle, I know that I am trusting the horse with my life. Jumping, especially going xc, only compounds the risks, obviously. Riding a horse you've trained for years at speed xc is the most exhilarating thing in the world, when the jumps get big and the margin for error gets small, and you have such mutual understanding and trust that you interpret and make allowances for every single move each other makes... yes, that is true trust, and our lives depend on it.
when i'm on the ground, I am not that trusting unless I really know the horse, but as said above, that's a different thing.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Agree PR.

I know mine is very careful with me on the ground as has been proved when she walks slowly by my side when my legs are bad, lets me lean on her shoulder & I can guide her by my voice only when bringing her in & legs are bad (despite her knowing food is waiting in her stable). She seems to sense that she must be good & careful as I'm not up to my usual standard some days. She'll stop for me just by a slight command & wait very patiently while I rest against her & will only set off again once I say so.

But of she was being chased by dogs etc I'm pretty sure she would be off like a shot! I don't blame her for that as she is a flight animal, as you rightly pointed out.

In reply to OP, I trust her not to hurt me & to be co-operative with me & I definitely think there is a bond but I don't think I'd trust her with my life. I'm always aware that she is loyal but there is a breaking point.

Does that make sense?!

 

[Storminateacup]

[ QUOTE ]


I'm sure people can think of other examples but I think it's slightly dangerous when people forget that a horses natural instinct will always be to run from danger (real danger) and I think that if youre on top of them at the time, then that's a bonus for you cause if you came off and there was a lion chasing your horse, he sure as well wouldn't stop to come back for you!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yes I must agree with you there, and its quite amusing too lol,
but that is not quite what I am referring to. I do mean trust our lives to them, not in some schmolzy sentimental way, but quite literally when we do things like let our horses down a road carrying our child on its back.

We do have to trust our lives to them and many event riders, I think would agree with that. I mean. who in their right mind would canter a horse fast at a huge jump and ask it to bravely and carefully throw itself over without falling or stopping dead. These riders have to trust their horses to do what they have been trained to do, and trust them to do dangerous things, carefully.

 

[Parkranger]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, every single time I get into the saddle, I know that I am trusting the horse with my life. Jumping, especially going xc, only compounds the risks, obviously. Riding a horse you've trained for years at speed xc is the most exhilarating thing in the world, when the jumps get big and the margin for error gets small, and you have such mutual understanding and trust that you interpret and make allowances for every single move each other makes... yes, that is true trust, and our lives depend on it.
when i'm on the ground, I am not that trusting unless I really know the horse, but as said above, that's a different thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

But that's training a horse to do something competently and understanding each other when you're in that situation.

If a herd of wild wilderbeast stampeded the course, I wouldn't rate your chances of getting around under the designated speed

 

[lilpinkdonkey4]

Surely as soon as you mount a horse... be it any horse, you are trusting them with your life... Horse riding is a dangerous sport.

I dont think thats what you mean though.

 

[MistletoeMegan]

Lord no, I don't even trust him with his own!

 

[Storminateacup]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, every single time I get into the saddle, I know that I am trusting the horse with my life. Jumping, especially going xc, only compounds the risks, obviously. Riding a horse you've trained for years at speed xc is the most exhilarating thing in the world, when the jumps get big and the margin for error gets small, and you have such mutual understanding and trust that you interpret and make allowances for every single move each other makes... yes, that is true trust, and our lives depend on it.
when i'm on the ground, I am not that trusting unless I really know the horse, but as said above, that's a different thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is precisely what I am referring to - thank you Kerilli

 

[Patches]

[ QUOTE ]
Surely as soon as you mount a horse... be it any horse, you are trusting them with your life... Horse riding is a dangerous sport.

I dont think thats what you mean though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course no one expects to come off and be killed. We're not suicidal after all. The point is, we all have to accept we take a risk each and every time we get on our horses. You cannot guarantee 100% that your horse will not react out of character towards something which may put your safety in jeopardy.

I believe it's healthy, as a rider, to remain aware of the risks and to consciously balance those risks to the best of the ability of both yourself and the horse you're riding. (ie I wouldn't take Patches over a five bar gate. I know she'd try to clear it if I asked her to but I don't believe she has the scope and wouldn't want to risk injury to myself or her).

Being over confident and complacent is when accidents are more likely to happen. No horse and rider combination is infallible. Look how many world class riders and horses lose their lives competing in eventing etc. They didn't leave the start box thinking they'd not make the finish line. Accidents happen.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

[ QUOTE ]
Lord no, I don't even trust him with his own!

[/ QUOTE ]

LMAO! So true...!

 

[kerilli]

[ QUOTE ]

But that's training a horse to do something competently and understanding each other when you're in that situation.

If a herd of wild wilderbeast stampeded the course, I wouldn't rate your chances of getting around under the designated speed

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but it's trusting my life to the horse, to the fact that i believe it will do as i ask, and do the right thing if i get it wrong (as happens, a lot!)

fwiw, i've been on a stampeding horse, being chased around a big field by a herd of heifers having fun. i was just trying to cross the field on a bridlepath when they started their game. i tried to make him stand and face them, and he immediately tried to buck me off, he was so desperate to run from them. once i let him run, we managed to outdistance them after a few flat-out laps of the field, and i got him to the gate and managed a flying dismount, whipped it open, he leapt through it, and i slammed it in the heifers' faces. he was terrified, but he still listened to me and trusted me, once i was letting him obey his instinct to run.

 

[Storminateacup]

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, well, everytime I get on my horse I guess I'm trusting him to do as I ask and not go galloping off running through fences etc! I do think he wouldn't intentionally hurt me and I think his initial reaction to run, or jump away from something scary can be overridden by my influence as a trusted rider or leader, and I can offer encouragement to do thinks like jumping, schooling etc, things he wouldn't naturally do.

However I wouldnt lay down next to his hind legs and trust him not to tread on me if you see what I'm getting at! Its all a matter of reading the suitation you're in.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is also exactly what I meant too. I certainly would expect Jack to rear up and try to kick me if I attempt to trim his ears with the clippers, but that is because I know he is terrified of them and I have not yet taught him how to deal with it ( next thing on the list in desensitization studies)

 

[Janette]

I think that it is the fact that Star is willing to trust my judgement in times of stress and danger which inspires those positive feelings.

I trust her in as much as I trust her not to throw me off the moment I get on, but that is down to schooling and obedience. This 'trust' is also based on an deep knowledge of how she will react in certain situations.

 

[Storminateacup]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, every single time I get into the saddle, I know that I am trusting the horse with my life. Jumping, especially going xc, only compounds the risks, obviously. Riding a horse you've trained for years at speed xc is the most exhilarating thing in the world, when the jumps get big and the margin for error gets small, and you have such mutual understanding and trust that you interpret and make allowances for every single move each other makes... yes, that is true trust, and our lives depend on it.
when i'm on the ground, I am not that trusting unless I really know the horse, but as said above, that's a different thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

But that's training a horse to do something competently and understanding each other when you're in that situation.

If a herd of wild wilderbeast stampeded the course, I wouldn't rate your chances of getting around under the designated speed

[/ QUOTE ]


I read an article on brain patterning and instinctive behaviour in mammals where it showed that instinctive behaviour can be modified by training. Certainly it can be in humans, and horses have a mammalian brain even though they are nowhere capable of our reasoning skills. It is possible to train horses to stand quietly when confronted with stampeeding cattle and remain controllable, you see this at rodeos by their cowboy riders. Its really just a lot to do with what your priorities are when training your horse and of course how good you are at training. If you are no good at training your horse, then yes, everything that truely terrifies him will cause him to take off.
Things that terrify my horse in the field and cause him to gallop around like a thoroughbred, have little effect on him if I am standing next to him or on his back. Just because he is a heavy cob and doesn't move quite so sharply makes no difference overall to his training. my ID/TB was the same. He may shake when he saw something scary but he wouldn't do a blind bolt. On one occasion I had a herd of bullocks released from their barn into the field on the other side of the fence, they came galloping towards us just as we we passing and although he jumped about a bit, he certainly wouldn't bomb off 'cos he felt he was safe 'cos I told him he was, with how I was riding him.
I am no brilliant rider but I have my priorities, so I always train in 'non bolt off behaviour' when my horses were young, with lots of refresher courses throughout life.

 

[gina2201]

Unrotunately I do not! He is more interested in his own welfare/saftey than mine!

(would be nice to think so though but doubt it)

 

[Storminateacup]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

But that's training a horse to do something competently and understanding each other when you're in that situation.

If a herd of wild wilderbeast stampeded the course, I wouldn't rate your chances of getting around under the designated speed

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but it's trusting my life to the horse, to the fact that i believe it will do as i ask, and do the right thing if i get it wrong (as happens, a lot!)

fwiw, i've been on a stampeding horse, being chased around a big field by a herd of heifers having fun. i was just trying to cross the field on a bridlepath when they started their game. i tried to make him stand and face them, and he immediately tried to buck me off, he was so desperate to run from them. once i let him run, we managed to outdistance them after a few flat-out laps of the field, and i got him to the gate and managed a flying dismount, whipped it open, he leapt through it, and i slammed it in the heifers' faces. he was terrified, but he still listened to me and trusted me, once i was letting him obey his instinct to run.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is so brilliant and just what I meant - you trusted him to do what was the right thing, in this case his instinct to run like blazes to put distance between you and the cows, then he trusted you to get that gate open so you could both race through it to safety -superb example

 

[soph21]

[ QUOTE ]
I trust that he won't do anything deliberately to hurt me but he is flesh & blood, not a robot, so we do have 'unexpected occurances'!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]


I totally agree with you SharonH77.
Mind you a while ago shawn the sheep from next door came over the hedge and ran at me, I started screaming !

Bear chased him off throwing his front legs at him!

Before I was in the field he wasn't taking any notice of him so I like to think he was protecting me lol

 

[sachak]

I trust Mollie with my life... although those who know her may chuckle at that statement! I trust her implicitly so much so that I quite frequently do things like jump picnic tables whilst out hacking, hving examined take off and landing first!!! When I ride her I am ready to take on anything and to anyone who thinks she is nuts or psycho or whatever... I'd say dont knock a bond so strong. And the nicest thing is with Mollie having the disposition which she does, she has to trust me 100% too,

Chester, To be honest I'd love to have what I have with mollie with Chester, our bond is just a week old and we are just laying the foundations

 

[JM07]

no bloody chance......

 

[lauraanddolly]

Very interesting post, but although I have answered yes to the original post, I think it is a bit more complex than just a Yes or No answer as there are so many variables.
I trust Dolly will not hurt me intentionally by that i mean she will not buck, rear or bolt. We have built up trust over the years I have had her and although she is a spooky mare I trust she will listen to me telling her it's ok, no matter what the occurence. Of course there is always the unexpected and I couldn't 100% say she will never take care of herself over me - but I'd like to think she would, I think thats what it boils down to really. We like to think they would and thats fine as long as we remember it may not be the case one day!

 

[Parkranger]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

But that's training a horse to do something competently and understanding each other when you're in that situation.

If a herd of wild wilderbeast stampeded the course, I wouldn't rate your chances of getting around under the designated speed

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but it's trusting my life to the horse, to the fact that i believe it will do as i ask, and do the right thing if i get it wrong (as happens, a lot!)

fwiw, i've been on a stampeding horse, being chased around a big field by a herd of heifers having fun. i was just trying to cross the field on a bridlepath when they started their game. i tried to make him stand and face them, and he immediately tried to buck me off, he was so desperate to run from them. once i let him run, we managed to outdistance them after a few flat-out laps of the field, and i got him to the gate and managed a flying dismount, whipped it open, he leapt through it, and i slammed it in the heifers' faces. he was terrified, but he still listened to me and trusted me, once i was letting him obey his instinct to run.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess you have a point and if you have that level of trust then that's a great thing - unfortunately horses like to think they know best on more than one occasion