Ep 64: Horsemanship is Leadership
As trainers, we have a responsibility to help our horses reach their full potential. We have to find a way to tap into that animal’s full effort and efficiency. And, this requires us to step into a leadership role.
Horsemanship is the simplest form of leadership. We lead our horses by influencing their behavior in one way or another.
The trick is, horses are not born with the natural instinct to be submissive. It is a learned habit. That’s why, as trainers, we have to take on a leadership role with that animal to help engage the thinking side of its brain and perform the maneuvers we are asking for.
Part of being a great leader is being a great listener. We must be open-minded enough to let our horses tell us what they need from us today. Many of us have our own agendas when we step into the arena, but it takes a great leader to be able to adapt this agenda to the needs of our horses that day.
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