| Before we can start training a wild horse, we need to | | | | movement. |
| understand how the mind of a horse works. Horses, | | | | Another thing we have to understand about horses is |
| especially wild ones, are very sensitive animals. It is a | | | | that, they are herd animals. In the world of horses, they |
| common notion that horses can sense when a rider is | | | | follow a certain hierarchy like wolf packs. Every herd |
| nervous, confident or scared. Horses have been a part | | | | has to have a leader. Like wolves, horses are required |
| of various civilizations for a long time. Ever since we | | | | to follow the leader, but they are also obligated to |
| have learned to tame these animals, horses have | | | | constantly challenge that leader. A strong leader |
| been the primary form of transportation in the | | | | makes a strong herd. Horses feel more secure when |
| centuries past. | | | | they have a leader, but they also expect the most |
| We need to understand that horses are creatures of | | | | from their leader. Occasionally, the horse will test its |
| movement. They live through movement. In the wild, | | | | leader, to see if it is still worthy of entrusting with its life |
| the survival of the horse depends entirely on | | | | and safety. The leader has to pass those tests; |
| movement. They also learn things in the wild through | | | | otherwise, the horse will take over. Horses do not like |
| movement. That is why horses, wild horses, can be so | | | | to be leaders; but make no mistake, they will if they |
| graceful. Every time you see them run free in the | | | | have to. Understand that you are the leader in this |
| fields, you stare at the perfect motion of its body. It is | | | | scenario. You have to be firm, consistent, and precise |
| like watching a ballerina or a figure skater doing a | | | | when dealing with horses. |
| routine, or watching Michael Jordan doing one of his | | | | As a leader, you have to be able to make the horse |
| moves above the rim, with grace. Unfortunately, that is | | | | move its feet. Because in the wild, the herd leader |
| the reason why horses have unusually large brains for | | | | leads through movement. If the horse complies with |
| animals their size. They use most of it just to keep | | | | you, that means he has accepted your leadership. You |
| their feet in the right place. Their brains are specially | | | | have to show your dominance over him. That is what |
| structured to control their movement, because as | | | | leaders in the animal kingdom do. |
| previously mentioned, they are creatures of | | | | |