How much control do we have over our horses? Discuss.

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myhorsefred

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Following on from my broken hand post below, I was just wondering how much you think we can influence our horses and how much control we really have over them.

In a nutshell my horse knocked me over yesterday when spooking (naughty more than proper spook) and accidentally stood on my hand. Spring grass naughtiness I think. He is always super well behaved, in hand and ridden.

Do you think we are mistaken to think we have control over our horses, or would you say you can control/influence their every move?

Is it a poor horsewoman/man who thinks they have 100% control? Or a good horsewoman/man who realises that they do not have complete control?
 
I think it is a state of mind tbh. It is much the same in any situation where you are 'in control' of other living beings, provided you can convince yourself and them that you are in charge, they will believe you. When I was 22 I was left in charge of 8 teenagers overnight (Residential Child Care Officer) because I believed I was in charge, then so did they. Horses are the same, basically it is a con trick we pull on them :) I also think it is a balancing act, because you have to keep in mind that they are actually bigger than you and if they ever get wind of that you could be toast!
 
I am always a tiny bit nervous before handling my horse but I actually think it's a good thing in a way. I try to respect the fact that she's much stronger than me and that I should keep my wits about me! I admit that with the retired horse and pony, I am far more relaxed as I know that they are far more chilled than the other, though maybe I should be more wary of them too.

I've really had to think through the way I handle Belle - I always wear my hat (which I didn't used to do with horses just for handling) and I try to ensure that I never have my hand looped through anything such as reins, leadropes and so on because if she spooked then she could break my arm. She spooked the other day when I went to put the saddle on and she frightened the life out of me for a second, only because I wasn't expecting it! In general, I like to think that I can control her quite well but I'm certainly aware that if she really wants it, she definitely has the upper hand!
 
I'm always more cautious with my 5 year old and my spooky mare than the others, they all have their days and so far my 5 year old has spooked twice, slicing my finger once and yanking my arm the second time. I learnt to wear gloves on the second time and a hat most of the time luckily I never wrap ropes around my hands so it could have been worse.

There is only so much control you have over a horse, it has a mind of its own at the end of the day as it isn't a machine.
 
Hmm well I think it's a lot to do with the fact that horses tend to look for a leader to follow... and if we behave as a leader (firm and confident) they will obey us... a good horseman/woman always remembers that a horse is bigger and stronger and can physically overpower us far too easily...
 
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