True Partners
By Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht.
Tall, dark and handsome, with dreamy, chocolate-brown eyes… It’s love at first sight. You just
know he is The One for You. Okay, but, is he the right one for you? Following are some
criteria to help you determine how compatible you are with your equine partner
• Respect No matter how gentle he seems to be, treating a horse like a pet can be a
deadly mistake. “The direction and leadership of his rider is what the horse is looking for,”
warns champion horseman Chris Cox. “Without it, even the most docile equine can become a
monster.”
• Trust A calm, confident demeanor inspires a horse to trust you to lead and protect him.
Similarly, a horse earns your trust by respecting your personal space and not displaying any
aggressive/dangerous behavior toward you.
• Mutual interests If your horse is physically or emotionally unable to do what you ask
of him, he may not be an ideal partner for you. For example, a former racehorse is usually not
an ideal mount for an inexperienced rider/first-time horse owner. “We all have different
interests when we’re looking for a horse; make sure he fills these needs and is the right one
for you,” recommends horse-trainer Tommy Garland.
• Separate interests Most horses enjoy rolling in the mud, but that doesn’t necessarily
apply to their human companions!
• Like each other If you trust and respect your horse, and he trusts and respects you, it’
s a good bet you will like each other. “The more relaxed you are with him, the more relaxed
and comfortable he will be with you,” Cox says.
• Good communication Use clear, consistent training techniques so your horse can
understand and perform what you want him to do. If you ask him to canter while your upper
body collapses in a defensive “fetal” position, which tells him to “stop” or “slow down,” you’re
likely to confuse him and makes him nervous, Cox adds.
• Companionship Do you enjoy spending time with your horse, even if you’re not riding
him? Does he seem to be relaxed and be content when he’s with you? In The Tao of Equus,
Linda Kohanov describes a profound sense of peace and emotional intimacy she
experienced just “hanging out” with her horses. That is precisely the kind of emotional
fulfillment I want you to experience every time you’re with your equine partner.