19/05/2022
Just because it “works” doesn’t make it right.
The apparent effectiveness of some training all too often enables people to keep using pain & fear inducing methods 😣
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably experienced something like:
You see a trainer working with a horse in a way that doesn’t sit right with you. Maybe you or someone else questions…
“Isn’t that painful/scary/uncomfortable for the horse?”
The trainer may say something such as “the horse is completely fine. I’ve always done it this way. See? This is the result, she’s behaving now”
The end justifies the means. As long as the trainer gets “X” result, what they’re doing feels okay to them.
Using effectiveness alone is a dangerous barometer to decide what “good” training is. People can slide down the slope of justifying any sort of treatment towards the horse, so long as they get what they want. And many will insist that you should do the same.
You may feel differently, but it’s SO hard to trust your gut in situations like these, when professionals are telling you one thing, and your intuition is shouting something else 🌀
We’re here to tell you that you can trust that voice inside you 🌬
If training a horse in a compassionate way is important to you, know this:
You DON’T have to do something with your horse that makes you feel uncomfortable.
And you DON’T have to sacrifice effectiveness in your training to do what feels right for you.
Sometimes people shy away from more science-based, ethical practices because they *feel* slower. There’s more instant gratification with harsh methods. You can get the saddle on an un-started horse in a few minutes and feel like you’re getting places. Or, you can take a month of saddle prep to work through every bit of fear and resistance in a step by step way.
The difference? 👀
One horse bucks for his life and has a really negative first experience 💣
The other is literally telling you to put the saddle on, because it’s exciting and something he wants to participate in 💫
See the difference?
Tell us in the comments about an experience you had where you followed your intuition with your horse 🌻 we’d love to know!
