I do understand using a rope as pressure. Not a source of pain, but pressure. The same as perhaps holding your thumb in their sides until they move away from it. And I know about rubbing whips on the horse so he won't be afraid of it. And "grounding" the whip when the is no cue being indicated with it so the horse will not become confused.
I understand all that. I've read about it, watched videos about it, and had it demonstrated one on one in a round pen.
I aborted when I was told, "See? He knows if he doesn't move I'll hit him". Too many, way way too many people cannot understand using a rope or a whip to look larger than they are or to apply pressure without pain or fear.
And even if they understand it, too many, way way too many, just won't stop there.
I have urges to hit. Yes, reflexive urges to hit. And I have. And that has resulted in mortification on my part and an added distance in the relationship with Hondo which I had to work hard at recovering.
I understand that horses can't talk. If they could, it might be harder to teach them. hee hee
I know we have to communicate with body language for that's all they know. BUT BOY DO THEY KNOW IT.
It makes me wonder if we could only control our thoughts and have the proper thoughts in our head, our body would communicate those thoughts to the horse without us even being aware. To a degree of course. No nouns, verbs, or adjectives.
@Smilie
I have no problem with asking or telling. If fact, too often I tell before asking. But I'm getting better.
It's the demanding I have a problem with. Of the trainers I've read and respect, they all say that a horse is willing to do as asked if it is within his capability, if he knows what is being asked, and if it is not going to cause him pain or danger. There may be a few others I've forgotten.
When demand time comes, I think it's time to step back and say, "Whats going on?" Yourself, your surroundings, your horse. What's going on? Why is he unwilling?
Demand is, to me, and maybe just to me, too forceful of an attitude for a proper partnership relationship, which is important to me above all else.
@Foxhunter The only downside to using a finger in the side to indicate move over, which Hondo and Rimmey respond to very very well, is that when I'm checking to see how fat Hondo is he moves before I can feel his ribs. Maybe he doesn't want me to know for fear his rations will be cut?
@Reiningcatsanddogs :grin:
I have four kids, one dog (at present) and two horses (almost)
I do not, have not, and will never be comfortable doing anything to any of them that I would not do to my very best friend.