Equine Logic

March 19, 2010

To be the horse or not to be the horse…that is the question.

Recently a student asked me an interesting question.  She asked, in attempting to communicate with horses, how are we to use the horse’s natural language to convince them we are horses when obviously we are not horses and the horse is intelligent enough and can obviously see we are not horses? She asked how does using horse language with horses work when we obviously are not horses, which is apparent to the horse as well?

My answer is this. We aren’t trying to convince them we are horses. We are establishing we know and understand the language and customs of the horse’s natural language.

Let’s say your employer has partnered you with a foreign counterpart that doesn’t speak your language. You have been tasked with accomplishing some goal involving you and this foregn person. The first thing I would do is develop some common ground with this individual. Typically, some form of language is this common ground. It would be immediately obvious to the foreign person that I am not the same as them. But that doesn’t mean I can’t learn and implement their language and customs to start the bridge of the relationship to fulfill the goal.

I use this concept in developing relationships with horses. The horse recognizes we are not horses but that doesn’t mean we can’t use their natural language to create a bridge of understanding that leads to a trusting relationship with the horse.

All the horses I know indicate how much they appreciate me for working on that bridge with them. Remember, in the world of horses, confusion equals fear. Most things we do to or with horses confuse them because it is so unnatural and not found in the natural realm or reality. Horses don’t enjoy feeling fear.  They seek safety.

The act of communicating with them in language they understand helps them feel safe. Convincing the horse they are safe with you, in your presence, sets the foundation for true leadership. Take care of the horses needs, from the horse’s perspective and you will have a friend for life. Until the horse is convinced you have their best interest at heart (their idea of best interests-not necessarily our perception of best interest) the horse will only marginally trust you and value your leadership.

We don’t have to get the horse to think we are horses. We only have to learn their language and customs enough to build the bridge of communication with them.  Feel free to ask me to expound on this question.

There will be more on language and customs in upcoming blogs.

Equine Logic

Founded by CHRISTI COSTIGAN

919-895-0051
Equine Logic School of Horses

18991 NC Hwy 902

Bear Creek, NC 27207