| You love your horse. He has a safe, dry, deeply | | | | safe from danger. Horses are prey animals, after all. |
| bedded stall to sleep in every night. He has a large | | | | Theirs' is a very stressful world where danger lurks in |
| paddock to go out in every day. You shower him with | | | | every shadow and behind every bush. That moving |
| treats. You spend more money on his wardrobe and | | | | grass could be caused by a poisonous snake moving |
| shoes than on your own. You have more pictures of | | | | in to bite or a crouching cougar getting ready to leap. |
| him in your home than of your family members. His | | | | But, the herd leader, being the most aware horse in the |
| name is part of your email address and your user | | | | group, sees, hears and smells all and keeps the herd |
| name on equine forums and bulletin boards. You are | | | | away from danger. |
| obsessive about his care and well being. But how can | | | | The greatest gift you can give to your horse is to be |
| you tell if your horse loves you? | | | | that benevolent, trustworthy leader s/he so needs |
| Horses do not express love in the human sense. They | | | | & wants. S/he needs to see that you are |
| develop bonds based on trust and respect. Watch | | | | consistently aware, consistently focused, consistently |
| how the horses interact with each other in the herd or | | | | confident, and consistently keeping him/her safe and |
| a mare with her foal and you will see the different | | | | secure. Then s/he can relax and enjoy life. |
| levels of trust and bonding they have with each. | | | | Take the time to learn about herd dynamics, horse |
| Horses that share a close bond will just hang out | | | | psychology and body language. Learn to be in the |
| peacefully together, groom each other, or stand so | | | | moment with your horse rather than worrying about |
| that they keep the flies off their buddy's face with their | | | | what happened at the office earlier or what you will |
| tail. | | | | be making for supper tonight. When you are with your |
| Horses aren't into possessions as you can tell when | | | | horse, really be with your horse - mentally and |
| Prince or Princess shreds yet another winter blanket | | | | physically. Be aware of your horse, your environment |
| and loses yet another shoe. They actually grow their | | | | and yourself. Your horse knows when you aren't and |
| own winter coat (if allowed) that provides great | | | | loses trust in you. |
| protection against wind, snow and rain. As far as they | | | | If you are so inclined, you can continue to spend most |
| are concerned, food grows on the ground and is | | | | of your budget on your horse's clothing, shoes and |
| available everywhere if you are just willing to walk far | | | | treats. Just don't expect your horse to love you for |
| enough. Although humans do make great vending | | | | that. It's okay to want your horse to really love you. |
| machines for special treats like Stud Muffins (TM), | | | | Just realize that your horse wants a certain bond with |
| carrots, apples and mints. Some horses will even go | | | | you ... and it won't come in the form of human love. If |
| so far as to mug humans who do not immediately | | | | you want your horse to really "love" you, know that |
| dispense these tasty treats. | | | | comes in the form of his/her level of trust and respect |
| What your horse is impressed by are leadership skills. | | | | for you as his/her benevolent leader. And do what it |
| The thing that s/he wants most in the world is a | | | | takes to become that leader. Both you and your horse |
| trustworthy, benevolent leader who will keep him/her | | | | will benefit from it. |