In the last generation, the phenomenal interest expressed by horse owners worldwide has been focused in three basic areas.
- Acquiring a greater in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Horse in his natural environment and herd dynamics.
- Searching for more compassionate, humane methods of training.
- The last, and perhaps most difficult to define, is the feeling many experience of something wrong or ‘missing’ in their relationship with their horse.
If you are one of those individuals, then you have found a source that is dedicated specifically to those three areas of learning, enlightenment, and fulfillment.
But before you read on, please take the following into consideration…..
Comedian Dick Cavett once remarked, “It’s a very rare person who wants to hear what he doesn’t want to hear.”
That avoidance of negatives is called ‘cognitive dissonance.’ Which means that sometimes people feel affronted when faced with facts that are contrary to their present beliefs. Quite often when that happens, they tend to become defensive and/or rationalize when everything they firmly believed to be ‘right and proper’ for their horse actually wasn’t as ‘right and proper’ as they believed it to be.
Due to the extremely contrary nature of both the philosophy and interactive format of the alternative paradigm offered in this new world of horsemanship, it is quite possible some readers may experience a certain degree of this ‘cognitive dissonance.’
Perhaps Tolstoy said it best. “Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice, and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking.”
We firmly believe that objective, critical evaluation and a more complete understanding of equine behavior and herd dynamics is absolutely essential if we are going to do the very best we can for our horse (and in turn, for ourselves as well). We also believe that once the majority of horse owners gain that level of understanding, they will eagerly make the necessary changes to effect a more total environmental enrichment for their horse. For the cost is very small, and the rewards are very great.