Should we focus more on building TRUST or RESPECT?

Have you ever wondered what the most crucial aspect of your relationship with horses is? How do you measure this connection, and where do you begin when trying to build it? We often hear about trust, respect, leadership, confidence, and safety, but what should be our primary focus in training, and which exercises should we choose to cultivate solid relationships?

Let's begin with a simple assertion: horses should have an equal balance of trust and respect. Since there can be no empty space, if a horse lacks one of these emotions, it must compensate with the other. If a horse has more trust than respect, it may start to disregard and ignore us. Conversely, if it has more respect than trust, fear can arise. Neither of these scenarios is desirable.

Therefore, it is essential to maintain a balance between trust and respect. This harmony will enhance our relationship with the horse and make training safer, easier, and more progressive. However, maintaining this balance at all times, especially in the early stages of working with a horse, is nearly impossible. There will be times when the horse is not paying attention or needs to gain confidence. To address these needs, we must consider the horse's psychological state.

Working with a horse is an ongoing process influenced by various factors such as the environment, mood, or specific situations. Rather than focusing solely on individual exercises, we should concentrate on the implementation of these exercises to build trust and respect.

When aiming to build trust, we should revert to basic training fundamentals. Taking more time and gradually increasing the difficulty, we allow the horse to build confidence at its own pace. This slow and deliberate approach helps the horse develop trust in us. On the other hand, when working on respect, we should demand the horse's attention, engagement, and alertness during exercises to establish our leadership.

It is crucial to understand that we must constantly assess and balance the improvement of trust and respect depending on the situation. For trust-building, we want our horse to be calm, relaxed, and focused. In contrast, for respect-building, we aim for a more active and energetic horse.

During exercises, we will observe fluctuations in our horse's behaviour, with moments of slowness and sleepiness alternating with periods of activity and energy. This natural variability is to be expected, and we should embrace these emotional differences as we work on specific elements. It is unrealistic to expect a stable and consistent response immediately. Over time, as we cultivate trust and respect in equal measure, these fluctuations will diminish.

In conclusion, building trust and respect in our relationship with horses requires a balanced approach. By understanding the horse's psychological state and implementing suitable exercises, we can establish a solid foundation. Remember, it is an ongoing process, and with patience and consistency, we can develop a strong and mutually fulfilling bond with our equine companions.