LANGUAGE

Horses don't understand English or any other human language,
so if we talk to them constantly they will simply tune us out &
won't hear us at all. That's not to say that, while brushing
them or feeding them or just "hanging out" with them,
we can't tell them about our day, or ask them about their's.
It just means that they're really only understanding the 'tone'
of our voice, not the 'words' we're saying. But, when we're
in the roundpen, it's our body language they will be listening
to & trying to understand. While in the schoolhouse/roundpen,
try to use just 4 words: 'come here', 'whoa', and 'stand'.

COMMUNICATING THOUGHTS

It's really hard to explain in words how we must 'go over to
the other side', the horse's side, in order to become
comfortable, at-one with, their partner, or any number
of terms to describe a feeling necessary in order to more
or less become a horse! They cannot think or feel like a
human, therefore, we have to try to understand & think
like them if we are to truly be a part of their herd.
The herd is what it's really all about. And remember, each
horse is constantly vying to be the head of the herd no
matter how many or what kind of other herd members,
(goats, birds, dogs, cats, etc.), they share their pasture with.

So, we humans come into the picture and immediately figure
that since we're smarter and have their well-being (food and
shelter) under our control, that they should and will be
our servants, or, literally, our beasts of burden! But it
just doesn't work that way. A horse's mind is only geared
toward three basic instinctive things in order to survive.
These "three F's" are: food, fear, and flight. We can all
understand the food part...we all need food. It's the
fear & flight that we always have to be aware of.
The head of the herd is the most trusted member....
the one they all respect....the one they look to
to keep them safe while all working together.

Since we can't be with them 24/7 in the pasture,
it's even harder for us humans to become the head
of the herd & keep that position. The horses are
constantly vying for the head position among themselves.
How do we humans begin to become the head???
A foundation of groundwork to start!