Foundation

This is the first element of this blog.  There will be at least two other components to follow.  The information contained is not original it has been compiled from a number of other sources.  Whereever possible I will give credit to the original authors.  I also want  everyone to know that I was inspired to start this blog by Anna Mae Gold and her blog on Empowerment.  I will do eveything I can to support the concepts she is putting forward.

Foundation:

In order to pursue a concept or a theory in an field  you need  a values foundation to build on.  For me there are three pillars in this foundation ;  Belief , Committment and Dedication.

As it applies to what is termed `natural horsemanship` I believe in fundamental principles , inclulding:

• pressure motivates, release teaches
• be as gentle as possible and as firms as necessay
• reward the slightest try¸
• make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult
• defend your space
• horses are prey animals, we are are predators
• leadership is estalished by controlling the movement of the feet.
• the horses primary defence is flight
• a horses memory is second only to that of an elephant.
• a horse learns faster than any other domestic animal
• horses communicate primarily through body language.
• horses have the fastest reflexes of any domestic animal
• horses naturally push/pull against pressure