Introduction:
In this insightful episode, Belinda Bolsenbroek delves into the significant differences between training a warhorse and a workhorse, highlighting the importance of building a true partnership with your horse. She contrasts the traditional methods used to train workhorses—often focused on obedience and submission—with the more emotionally engaged approach required for warhorses. Belinda emphasises the need to foster emotional engagement and mutual understanding, rather than simply teaching the horse to follow cues or commands without question.
Lesson Content:
Belinda begins by exploring the typical training approach for workhorses, which frequently involves teaching the horse to disassociate from its surroundings and redirect its focus entirely toward the human handler. She explains that workhorses are often trained to stand square, lower their heads slightly, and even close their eyes—behaviours that can signal the horse is internalising and detaching from the present moment. This detachment can be mistaken for calmness or compliance, but Belinda points out that it often indicates a deeper level of disconnection.
However, Belinda warns against relying solely on these methods to create a submissive horse. Horses, by nature, are submissive animals, but true partnership goes beyond mere obedience. She discusses how wild horses that have been captured and traumatised might close their eyes and turn inward, existing in a state of detachment rather than forming a genuine bond with their human counterparts. While these horses may learn to coexist with humans, they often remain in a parallel universe, disconnected and emotionally distant.
Belinda argues that the goal should be to achieve a "bright, open eye" in the horse—an indication of attentiveness, curiosity, and emotional engagement. While it’s natural for horses to close their eyes during moments of peace and rest, frequent eye-closing and turning inward can signal that something is amiss within the horse’s comfort zone.
Benefits:
Summary:
This episode of How We Communicate encourages horse trainers and owners to rethink traditional training methods that focus solely on submission and obedience. Belinda Bolsenbroek advocates for a more holistic approach, one that prioritises emotional engagement and genuine partnership. By recognising the signs of both engagement and disconnection, and striving to build a collaborative relationship based on trust and understanding, you can create a stronger, more fulfilling bond with your horse. This episode is essential for anyone looking to deepen their connection with their horse and move beyond the basic cues of training into a richer, more empathetic horsemanship experience.
Belinda Bolsenbroek is an international authority on the Art of Classical Equitation in which the historic relationship between horse and human is expressed as a spiritual connection between two beings. Belinda harnesses the wisdom of the Old Masters, combines that wisdom with the science of biomechanics and shapes them both into a clear and defined practice that allows you to take your horsemanship to the next level.
Horses have stood at man’s side for over 4,000 years.They are our most noble companions and the ancient relationship of trust, honour and passion endures to this day.From the heroic war horse to the steady plough horse, our shared experience stretches back through the ages and is passed down to us through our genetic memories, our most prized ancestral gift.With Belinda’s guidance, you will discover this ancient inheritance and the pure joy that comes from a deep connection with your horse and look forward to the day when you become an ambassador, educator and an inspiration to others.
Empower yourself with Belinda as your coach - Belinda Bolsenbroek Academy.Now is the time to take the opportunity to invest in yourself, develop your skills and succeed.No matter how long you have been riding, whether you are an old hand or new to the art of horsemanship, there is always more to learn.As you gain greater insight into a topic, the more you learn, the more likely you are to recognise how much there is still to learn.
We also donate 25% of our profits to charity
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