The Soul of a Horse

"Crimson Lighting" Painted by Amy Giacomelli. Available at Etsy

Joe Camp in his book The Soul of a Horse, gives readers a different perspective on the possibility of relationship between horses and humans. He talks in terms of humans being part of a horses herd. It is counter to the traditional role horses have played in the world of mankind in the last few thousand years, but this "natural horsemanship" way is creating new experiences for horse lovers all over. The horse is not just a (as my friend said today) a means to an end. The horse is the end. A relationship with a horse is possible. And not just possible, horses crave it. Though sometimes it's not all that apparent.

Today I worked with Cooper, a former racing thoroughbred (saved from slaughter by Diana, the founder of EC). One of the volunteers distracted him for me as I groomed him (he gets grumpy when brushed). I led him out to the riding arena, and did some groundwork with him under one of the riding instructors direction. The groundwork eliminates fear and earns the horse's respect.

As I did a few exercises with him to show him that I needed his trust, he tried to scare me away with a quick move to nip me. Now you may think that was very mean of him to do that, however, in horsey language he was asserting his leadership, testing me to see if I would rise to the challenge. I quickly emphatically said "Knock that Off!" and firmly stood my ground (shoulders back, chin up, staring him in the eye) and pushed his head from my personal space. Within about five minutes after a few exercises Cooper and I were on the same page. The ride after the groundwork was that much easier. He listened to me, and moved the way I asked him. Amazing.

"I'm supposed to be part of the herd. It stands to reason that I need to know how to behave like a herd leader...we must find a way to be a horse...Horses are not humans. And they aren't dogs...A horse will do virtually nothing for a hug. But he will do virtually anything for his respected leader. and he will continually test that leader to see if he or she is still worthy of the title". -Joe Camp