As the old saying goes...‘safety in numbers’.
By the nature of being prey animals and always on the lookout for possible danger, horses tend to be very social and gregarious. Whilst the importance of some form of hierarchy is essential for survival, so to is the need for protection and unity. This means that horses will remonstrate with each other one moment then continue as if nothing has happened the next. Have you ever seen a dominant horse reprimand another, only to graze alongside or even groom the very same offender minutes later?
This need for togetherness gives the horse the unique ability to become assertive without any lingering antagonism. In other words, they do what they need to without holding any grudges.
As with any group, there needs to be some form of hierarchy. The pecking order is complete in a herd from the number one Alpha Horse right down to the bottom of the rung. All members of the herd instinctively understand the importance of this hierarchy and that what Alpha Horse says, goes. If the boss says ‘move it’, there is no time for discussion. Any hesitation may be the difference between life and death.
Usually Alpha horse is a mare – it’s the Stallion’s job to procreate and protect – and what Mother says is law. She has won her spot by being a just, fair and scrupulous leader. If she says move, everyone else moves; if she says stop, everyone stops, or else! She knows that the safety of the herd depends on her. If she doesn’t have their respect, they are all in danger so she will enforce her rule with whatever force is necessary, no more, no less.
Horses instinctively seek a good leader. They will do as she says in a heart-beat because they know that anyone hanging around to ask ‘why’ after she has said ‘MOVE’ could very well end up being some predator’s lunch. They will constantly test out an inferior leader and either cause it to become a better leader or take over the top job themself. We can expect the same treatment in our journey to horsemanship!
Becoming Alpha Horse
Once we can grasp the concept of us becoming Alpha Horse in order to find success with horses, we are already half way to achieving Natural Horsemanship. Everything you will learn through these articles is based on the principle of us becoming great leaders for our horses. Not by demanding that they do as we wish, but by understanding them, creating a rapport with them and communicating with them justly and fairly as the Alpha Horse would do.
All of the skills that you will learn in these articles are about the language that horses use with each other. Concepts that they have learnt from birth and have been a part of their daily lives in the form of play, interaction, yielding and socializing since day one.
The Road To Horsemanship Lesson Videos
Lesson 2, Chapter 1:
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- By Meredith Ransley, Quantum Savvy.