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To give the horse a voice is not the same as handing over control. It's more about showing the horse that we listen to its signals, pay attention, and recognize it. It's about being in a dialogue with it. This is the opinion of Ute Lehmann, who on a daily basis helps horse owners to develop harmonious and problem-free teamwork with their horses.
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When we spend time with our horse we should encourage it to interact and join us. The best way to do this is by making ourselves relevant. To show our horse that we see and recognize it. And that the collaboration is something that is of value for the horse as well.
”There has to be a dialogue when we share time with our horses. They really desire our company, but they need to feel that we are just as present as they are, and that we listen to them,” says Ute.
Ute explains that horses generally are happy to cooperate. That is what they do in their herd.
”Horses are not preoccupied with being dominant or aggressive, that is not natural for them. In a herd, the horses cooperate to survive. There is rarely an escalation of pressure,” Ute explains.
Horses are naturally interested in social dynamics, friendships, interaction, and communication. They spend a lot of time exploring and examining as well as gathering information. These are some of the reasons that Ute thinks that we should give the horses a voice because they have something relevant to say.
TO GIVE THE HORSE A VOICE IS NOT THE SAME AS HANDING OVER CONTROL.
According to Ute, it is important not to rush when we spend time with our horses. Horses gather information and impressions all the time from their surroundings, and that may take some time.
”Horses gather information regarding their surroundings all the time and process it. It is not always visible to us what is going on, but that does not mean that nothing is going on,” says Ute.
Ute gives an example of her cat that stood by the door meowing because it wanted to go outside. When Ute opened the door, the cat did not move. At first, Ute got annoyed. The cat had given her the impression that it wanted to go outside. But when she took a closer look, she could tell that the cat was observing the surroundings outside before going out there. Quite clever to be honest!
The horses are no different. It is simply our job to pay attention and react accordingly. That way, we are able to achieve a harmonious relationship with our horses.
A good leader listens to his/her employees´ ideas and gives them the freedom to act on them. That is often how the teamwork reaches new heights and the results improve. It is not very motivating to be led by commands and pressure. It is far easier to grow and evolve when you are guided and supported. Hores are led by instincts. If we recognize and make room for them, the teamwork improves.
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If we do not see or respect the small signals that tell us that the horse is facing something it cannot handle or understand, we might risk the horse getting dangerous or stressed.
JUST BECAUSE I DON'T REACT, DOESN'T MEAN I DIDN'T NOTICE.
In order to avoid entering the red zone it is useful to know your horse well, including the horse’s calming signals. Thus they are the start of a situation that might escalate. If you notice the signals and adjust the situation accordingly, you will be able to find the mental state where the horse can learn most effectively and is most relaxed.
A useful piece of advice from Ute to achieve a harmonious collaboration is something as simple as slowing down. Pause and let the horse use its instincts to observe, register, and process information.
”It is very motivating for the horse if we make room for it and provide it with a voice in the relationship,” says Ute. Who does not want to have a horse that actively chooses to be part of the collaboration? Simply because it wants to and thinks that it is exciting.
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