Readers asked - I have one horse. Whew! Otherwise I would have to get another job. Horses are beloved but they are expensive to keep. Anyway, there are over 30 horses boarded at the stables where I ride, so I have my favorites and bring them treats as well as my own.
Readers asked - My horse is named Panda. That's her stable name or nickname. Her show name is Ebon's Pandemonium. It's a brilliant name because she was at onetime quite black and white like a panda. Also, horses are named after their sire and hers is Lepanto. Thirdly, she is mostly calm and mannerly.
Communication - There is a statistic that only a small percentage of human communication is verbal, and we subconsciously register the larger non-verbal component to complete the picture. Horses, too, have a sophisticated non-verbal communication system, and because we are predators and they are prey, some of our usual methods of communication won’t work. We need to observe them carefully and communicate so that they can understand. For instance, most actions around horses need to be calm and flowing, no quick, random movements and avoid direct eye contact. Approaching a horse is like sidling up to the bar in an old-time saloon. Keep your eyes down, aim toward their shoulder and not their head, and keep your chest closed and non-threatening. Speak quietly and pat the shoulder. Remember that horses flinch when a fly lands on their coat, so their skin is sensitive through the hair. Walk around her rump keeping your hand on her back so she knows where you are. Keep close so she can’t wind up and kick out. This may sound silly and elaborate, but it doesn’t take long to make it a habit and keep yourself and your horse calm.
No comments:
Post a Comment