March 2018 42 Predator or Prey Most people understand the philosophy of predator and prey in relation to horses and humans – we are hunters, they are grazers. By design, they are a food source, we are consumers. People may think of horses as a companion or work animal, and they may have evolved into that, but they are still created as a food source. This means that they are wired to assess other species as friendly or threatening and respond accordingly. Through the breeding of horses, man selected certain characteristics such as conformation, temperament, intelligence, and color. But horses still have the one God-given characteristic that makes them so trainable – or so difficult to train for some people – and that is their self-preservation. Even though we may not think of ourselves as a predator around our horse, there are things that humans do without a second thought that the horse could interpret that way. Understanding horses’ self-preservation is the most useful tool in our power to motivate a horse to respond to our wishes. Given the opportunity, a horse will avoid discomfort, physically and mentally and seek comfort or relief. Discomfort to a horse can come in many forms such as loud noises, quick movement, threatening gestures or physical pain. Too often people get caught up in the perception that certain communication equipment will deliver certain results. If you have a half inch wrench, it will fit a half inch nut, turning it right will tighten it and left will loosen it. That’s the mechanical way of thinking, and that’s the way too many people think when it comes to horses. Horses are not machines, they respond to feelings, emotional and physical. Their decisions are made based on their judgment, which comes from past experience, both good and bad. They don’t calculate or interpret so much, but rather interpret the circumstances. They can be very suspicious of something one minute, wanting to run away, and curious the next minute, wanting to come closer for a better look. We need to be looking for the effect we have on them when we make contact, emotionally and physically. Certain equipment may deliver certain results some of the time, but it won’t be absolute. Horses may accept or tolerate pain if they are unable to avoid it, but they won’t accept fear. When or if a horse is responding to fear or self-preservation, we need to be fully aware and careful of his level of fear, his immediate reaction, and the long-term effects. A person needs to try to see things from the horse’s perspective and realize when the horse is first alarmed and to what level: concern, intimidation, fear or panic. Different levels mean different responses. A mild level can be used for a positive response to motivate a horse to avoid certain pressure such as a cue and to look for or follow a comfortable feeling of relief or as some may describe “a soft feel.” But when the horse is responding in fear or panic, he does not process his choices, he just reacts because he is trying to save his life. This is where a lot of people can get into trouble. Whether it is a quick flip of the horse’s head or a full-blown hysterical fit, the horse reaches a point where there is no reasoning. This is when we often hear a person excuse it as a “crazy horse.” By realizing where the level of concern is with the horse and understanding how the horse “feels,” and then adjusting the situation, can make the difference between a positive and a negative experience for the horse and us. We have seen bears and lions playing with a man, everyone having a good time. We also know of people that have been attacked and eaten by bears and lions. As for myself, I don’t know that much about bears or lions, and I don’t care to be close to them. If I have the security of distance from them, I am okay. But if I were in a round pen with one, and I couldn’t escape, and it was acting aggressive or maybe even had a hold of a rope that was attached to my head, I would be in a different frame of mind. Think about it next time a horse is panicked under your control, think about yourself in this position. Maybe if that bear gave you enough time to sort things out and take a deep breath, you might make a better choice. By Buddy Uldrikson Buddy Uldrikson Training at Rancho Rio Bonita: www.buddyuldriksonhorsemanship.com