How to Build a Prosperous Relationship Between a Horse and its Rider

When a rider can learn to control the horse, their confidence builds. Confidence is reflected to the horse, and the rider and the horse are on an understanding of who is in control. Confidence is being able to accomplish a task and not questioning what needs to be done. At The Children’s Ranch, “Children must figure out how to work together in order to get the job done.” Confidence can allow a lot to be done with a horse. When a person has confidence, the horse can sense that and the horse is more relaxed. An individual’s self-esteem is also improved when they tackle a difficult task which boosts a person’s confidence. According to Braveheart Riding, “Riding horses has the ability to enforce things that the person has done before… (Therapeutic). Just by doing a small think like riding horses can boost an individuals’ confidence and self-esteem a lot. When the rider’s confidence is lifted, they have more effective social skills and communication

Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Some might say Churchill was ahead of his time, with the way horse assisted therapy has just recently begun growing in popularity. All over the world therapists and psychologists have been exploring the effect horses have on troubled humans. In their explorations, perhaps with Churchill’s words in mind, they are attempting to find out just how useful an equine aid is in therapeutic treatment of physical and psychological impairments. There are passionate opinions from varying viewpoints, but they all come down to whether or not horse assisted therapy is effective and should be considered a regular practice. The answer to this

They sense our emotions and often move away from fear and anger because these register as potential danger. However, they don’t feel threatened by the more vulnerable human emotions such as sadness and loneliness. Horses can sense the feelings in us that are often out of our conscious awareness and, thus, give us information about ourselves. They mirror our feelings back to us through their body language, therefore, they teach us how we impact those around us. For example if a patient begins to get angry with a horse and loses their temper, they will be able to see the horse recoil which gives the patient a clear understanding of the effect their emotions can

The concept of trust is an idea everyone toys with in their lives at one point. One may think that trust is based of moral values between a trusting relationship. But it can be more complex than many may think. Trust by definition is the “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something”(1.). To many, it is the bases of a relationship. People trust one another because they teach one another or they love one another. Whatever the case, trust is an essential piece to a relationship. But it’s Implied that both parties don’t take advantage of that trust. This idea is discussed in literature such as in the novel Indian Horse. Throughout Saul’s Journey in the novel Indian Horse he learns about trust by experiencing it as reality then as an illusion and finally as a choice he must make.

1. Describe your participation and accomplishments in the horse industry. Also, list how many years you have been involved, awards received and volunteer involvement. I have been riding horses ever since I could walk. I have a deep passion for them and I have always loved to ride. I am involved in many parts of the equine industry. I joined the local 4-H horse project in 3rd grade, which is the earliest you can join. I have now been in the CCHP 4-H for 9 years. I have been on the youth board of the project for the past 5 years. I barrel race frequently and I am a member of the NBHA- National Barrel Horse Association. In 2014, I was the WI State Finals Open 4D Champion. I have gone to State Hunt/Jump numerous times and have participated in State Gymkhana for 6 years. At State Gymkhana, I have won or gotten reserve champion in many classes and have almost always been in the top ten for every class. I received the sportsmanship award in my 4-H project for my outstanding sportsmanship and mentorship to younger members. I am very involved in many parts of

Throughout history, humans have depended on the horse. Horses have contributed to the growth of humankind as transportation, farm workers, and battle steeds. They have been trained to support humans in many ways. When did this relationship begin? At what point did the horse become a vital part of human society? Exploring the evolution of the horse can help to answer these questions.

Equine Therapy is a proven treatment for PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety, and can help with self-esteem, trust, and communication issues. This alternative approach is a little different, veterans with PTSD don’t look at it like going there for treatment, they are going to help tame wild mustang horses. The beginning of this process they have earned the trust of the horse before they can even start to work with them. The same time it is helping the veteran is learning to trust again. As they are taming these horses over a twelve-week course, the veteran becomes aware and learns how to control their impulses. It is very important that the veteran controls their impulses because horses understand body language. If the veteran isn’t aware of their impulses, the horse might interrupt it wrong, and the veteran could be hurt. The veteran learns to be aware of their body language and others.

Human vulnerability stems from mistakes in conversation and trust comes from our vulnerability. Vulnerability in relationships comes from the mistakes that we make. Mistakes are what Turkle points to as being the reason for relationships being rich and messy (42). We make mistakes because we have to translate how we think into something that other people can understand. Communication is getting over that translation and the mistakes that we make are a part of

A relationship between a mother and son should be one that is full of unconditional love. The mother should be able to provide for the son and in return the son should look to the mother for comfort and stability. In D.H. Lawrence's, "The Rocking-Horse Winner," the relationship between the protagonist, Paul and his mother is not ideal at all.

There is little evidence of how horses were managed within the first years of domestication (Dierendonc). However, in most horse husbandry systems today horses are kept confined and solitary with very little social contact. This can be seen as optimal to ensure physical health, to prevent injury or to allow exact individual monitoring (Dierendonc, 2006). However, these systems often ignore the basic needs of the horse, e.g. social contact, foraging and locomotion needs, often resulting in abnormal behaviours. The start of stereotypic behaviour usually is related to chronic stress due to mal-adaptations to cope with the environment (Hausberger et al., 2009).

Riding is balance and communication. Both the rider and horse need to be athletes. I know when I get on a horse; my 170 pounds changes the horse. Now, my job is to make it as easy as possible for the horse to be strong, flexible and happy with my added weight. Athletes, both human and equine train to be strong and increase flexibility, but training and muscle development takes time. However, people are impatient and that is where aggressive riding and gadgets that occur rollkur come in to the picture; draw reins, funky bits, head setters, and improper use of side reins. As Sarah Rigg has mentioned to us in numerous classes it takes years of proper training and riding just to correct the issues humans cause in horse’s just by sitting on

On observation, Chloe presented with limited knowledge and insight relating to equine and horsemanship skills. For example, she asked for a halter to assist with connecting to the horse and when provided with one, she was unable to independently place the halter on the horse’s head. She asked if the horses were wearing shoes, rather than investigating herself. On

think that it is very important aspect of horses that is important to emphasis when studying the

Clients come in knowing nothing about horses, so the first days are all about learning about the tack of the horses, along with how to handle and ride the horses. Knowing about the tack of the horse is important so the rider knows how everything works. “During a typical equine therapy session, clients may interact with horses socially, groom them, feed, and walk the horses and engage in games with the horses. The goal of therapy is to improve health.” (Orfanos). Horses can relate to the patient because horses are always looking around at their surroundings just like someone who has a disability. They want to know what is around them at all times. One important part of therapeutic riding is goal setting. Goal setting helps the client look forward and work toward something. Goal setting is a part of the therapy because everyone needs to be able to work towards something. The goal can be anything, whether it be a goal that can be accomplished at the center or a goal that the patient would like to accomplish in his everyday

The art of breaking a horse, really just depends on the horse and rider. Before you ever ride, or tack up your horse, you always have to know if the horse is ready, willing, and responsive to you on the ground, then you can start. If he or she is not willing or responsive to you when you are on the ground, he or she will not respect you when you are riding. Make sure the horse knows the terms walk, trot, canter, and whoa, or any terms you use in replace of walk, trot, or woah, it will be a lot easier for you, and the horse will understand more. To make sure your horse is responsive to you on the ground is to make sure you spend a lot of time with your horse. Examples of what you should do is to groom your horse every day, walk him or