08/03/2025
๐ฃ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ. ๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐.
As prey animals, horses are wired for flight first, not fight. Understanding this fundamental aspect of their nature, combined with the wisdom of good horsemanship and classical dressage, reveals why punishment will never lead to positive, lasting results.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ-๐ช๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐น
Imagine being constantly on alert, with your primary defense mechanism being to flee from perceived danger. That's a horse's reality. Just because they become accustomed to the situations and surroundings we place them in, doesnโt mean that this changes. Their nervous systems are hard-wired for flight from danger as a primary means of survival.
When we introduce punishment (physical or intimidation-based), we activate their inherent fear response. Instead of learning, they become anxious, shut down, or even more reactive. They aren't "misbehaving" out of spite. They're reacting out of instinct.
โBut my horse is resisting!โ Well, you might not like to hear the truth about it, but thatโs been learned. The horse doesnโt know what it is to resist the riderโs aids until they are taught to do it. Yes, that means that somewhere along the line they are TAUGHT to resist by a poor presentation from the rider. This stems from a poor application of the aids, or a poor release of them when the horse tried to do the right thing, both resulting in confusion and what riderโs commonly refer to as โresistance.โ But just like they can learn to resist the aids and requests, they can be taught to soften and respond, instead. Itโs up to US to help them understandโฆ and again, punishing them doesnโt help a horse to soften and respond. Only consistent and clear communication can do that.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ด๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐โฆ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ
The philosophy of good horsemanship emphasizes working with a horse's natural instincts, not against them. It's about building trust, understanding their communication, and creating a partnership based on mutual respect. Punishment, by its very nature, erodes trust. A horse that fears you won't willingly offer their best... they'll only comply to avoid discomfort, leading to a superficial and often tense relationship. Understanding and confidence comes from clear communication, consistent guidance, and the kind of reinforcement that encourages the horse to want to cooperate.
Think about even the little things that you see riders doingโฆ swatting a horse for not standing still, jerking on a lead rope if a horse is pawing, kicking a horse because they โwont get off my inside leg,โ sawing on the reins to โmake them softer in the hand.โ Thereโs hundreds of examples Iโm sure we could list hereโฆ but they are all just as ineffective at establishing confidence and understanding in the horse. Superficial obedience is not the same as a harmonious partnership.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐๐โฆ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ
While often seen as a discipline of precision, classical dressage, at its core, is about developing a horse's physical and mental well-being to achieve harmony and lightness. This is built on principles of relaxation, rhythm, suppleness, and connection โ all of which are impossible to achieve under duress. A horse that is anticipating punishment will be tense, braced, and unwilling to move freely or engage their body correctly. The goal is to develop a willing and happy athlete, not a coerced one.
Force creates resistance and avoidance. Understanding creates willingness and confidence.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐บ ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ โ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ
Punishment teaches a horse to fear, to avoid, or to simply go through the motions. It breaks down communication and trust, leading to a host of behavioral issues and, more importantly, a diminished bond. Punish โthisโ and pretty soon โthatโ pops up. Itโs like a game of โwhack-a-moleโ where youโre just left banging one problem away only to find another one pop up in its place.
The principles of good horsemanship and classical dressage, in their purest forms, advocate for a profound understanding of the horse's mind and body. When we operate from a place of empathy, clear communication, and tactful requests, we unlock a horse's potential and foster a partnership built on genuine understanding, confidence, and willingness.
Let's choose understanding over intimidation, and partnership over punishment.
__________
Check out other posts and thoughts on the blog page:
https://www.academyforclassicalhorsemanship.com/blog
