We teach respect and good manners to our kids and our animals.  Disrespectful kids often turn into disrespectful adults.  Disrespectful horses turn into dangerous horses. 

 

 

Twice daily, when walking our horses to and from pasture, we practice pacing.  When we speed up, the horses must speed up.  When we slow down, the horses must slow down.  When we stop, the horses must stop. . . and wait. . . patiently.  No head throwing, no fits, no jerking the lead line.  And when we begin to walk on, the horses walk on with us, in step.

When our horses were first learning ground manners, any disrespect was met with an immediate consequence.  The horse was made to back.  Stepping in front of the horse with lead line shaking and stepping into the horse’s personal space causes the horse to move back.  Backing sends a strong message to the horse that they are not paying attention and following the lead.  Horses like to get where they’re going, usually to pasture.  Such strong incentive and quick, firm interruption of plan teaches that following human lead is more desirable and wiser than following their own lead. 
 

 
With repeated practice, our horses have learned attentiveness, anticipating and responding appropriately to each change of human pace.  They walk in step with us, stop with us, wait with us.  I am still amazed that such a large, strong animal willingly watches, listens, and obeys such small leaders. Even big beasts can learn submission when they learn it is in their best interest.