In episode #13 of How We Communicate, Belinda Bolsenbroek delves into the profound differences between training a warhorse and a workhorse, with a focus on fostering true partnership and emotional engagement with the horse.
The Workhorse Approach:
Belinda begins by exploring the typical training approach for workhorses, which often centres on teaching them cues to disassociate from their surroundings and redirect their focus back to their human handlers. In this process, the horse might stand square, lower its head slightly, and even close its eyes. Belinda explains that closing the eyes in this context is not necessarily a sign of conflict or resistance but rather an indication of the horse internalising and detaching from the present moment.
Key Insight:
While this method may be effective in certain scenarios, Belinda highlights the potential pitfalls of focusing solely on creating submission. Horses are naturally submissive animals, and it's easy to overlook the need for a true partnership beyond mere obedience. She notes that closing the eyes and turning inward is a behaviour commonly observed in wild horses that have been captured and traumatised. While these horses may learn to coexist with humans, they often remain in a parallel universe, disconnected from forming a genuine partnership.
The Warhorse Connection:
In contrast, Belinda emphasises the importance of striving for a bright, open eye in a horse, which indicates attentiveness and engagement—a hallmark of the warhorse. Warhorses, trained for battle and high-stress environments, require a deep connection and mutual trust with their handlers. Unlike workhorses, warhorses must remain fully present and engaged, ready to respond to complex cues and situations.
Practical Application:
For trainers and owners, the lesson is clear: understanding the horse's emotional state and promoting a true partnership based on trust, communication, and mutual understanding is crucial. This episode encourages recognising the signs of engagement and disconnection, urging a shift from mere submission to building a harmonious and collaborative relationship with your horse.
What You'll Learn:
Benefits:
Explore more in this online course to gain deeper insights into the emotional dynamics of horse training through our comprehensive training modules. Engage in interactive learning designed to help you build a true partnership with your equine companion.
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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