Ride Every Stride | Horsemanship And Personal Growth With Van Hargis

What are the reasons why a horse becomes herd bound, and how do we address and overcome those tendencies? In this episode we address a listener’s question about the herd-bound horse. Dealing with the Herd Bound Horse When you’re dealing with a horse that resists being taken away from its barn- or pasture-mates, it’s important to understand the source of the resistance. A horse’s desire to be with other horses is part of its instinct for self-preservation. As a prey animal, a horse instinctively knows there is safety in numbers and, conversely, there’s danger in isolation. In developing a plan for resolving this issue, start from the understanding that the horse’s lack of cooperation with you is a sign of its lack of respect for you as a leader. If you can establish yourself as the leader in your horse’s eyes, over time it will trust you to take it away from the herd. The process The tools and techniques you’ll use will vary depending on the horse and the situat