ANSWER:
This is a very interesting thought. You are right in that the true
horseperson should feel humility and respect for their horse. However, being
the highest ranking herd member and having respect for the horse are not
mutually exclusive. In our Western culture, we tend to view hierarchies as
something negative, a means of suppression and exploitation. In Oriental
cultures, hierarchy is viewed in a different light, because there is a
balance between authority and responsibility in each echelon of the
hierarchy. The higher the rank of an individual, the greater is the
responsibility for the wellbeing of the subordinates. The lower the rank of
an individual, the smaller is their responsibility, or put differently, the
smaller is the number of society members who this individual is responsible
for. That's why in China, e.g. the lowest rank of the hierarchy is seen as
something positive. It is a safe place with minimal responsibility, where
others take care of the person. A similar view can occasionally be found in
Europe during the Age of Enlightenment, where King Friedrich II of Prussia
referred to himself as the "first servant of the state".
This reciprocity and balance of privilege and responsibility is too often
forgotten in horsemanship. The fact that horses now live in a human world
instead of a natural state, and the fact that as riders we want to tell them
where to go and how to go about it, makes it necessary for us to be in a
position of authority. The horse must accept orders from us. Otherwise, the
entire riding system breaks down. This is the reason why obedience and
rideability play such an important role in the writings of the classical
authors. A horse that does not respect the human as the higher ranking herd
member is dangerous for the human to be around.
However, this position of authority brings with it a great responsibility -
greater than many riders realize. It is our responsibility, not only to make
sure that our horses have sufficiently large stalls, enough turnout,
sufficient feed and water of good quality, and the necessary veterinary and
farriery care. We also have to make sure that our horses are not harmed by
our equestrian activity, be it out of blind ambition, ignorance, or
stupidity. And this is the area in which much suffering is caused by both
horseowners and trainers. Unfortunately, learning how to ride is a painful
process, not only for the rider, but for the horse as well, because every
time the stiff, unbalanced novice rider bounces on the horse's back, it
hurts. Every time the hands move uncontrollably around, the horse is jerked
in the mouth, which hurts no matter how "gentle" the bit may be. Every time
the wannabe trainer jabs the horse with his spurs, because his seat is so
poor that he cannot control his legs, it hurts. In other words, the rider's
incompetence causes the horse physical pain, and in the long run it leads to
lameness through wear and tear. This is why it is every rider's duty to
become the best horseperson they can be. Saying, as so many riders do: "I
have no ambition, I don't need to take lessons. I just want to have fun", is
ignorant and arrogant, because the person is too lazy and too disrespectful
towards their horse in order to learn to control their body to a degree that
minimizes the discomfort or suffering of the horse. Unfortunately, every
rider has to learn this body control through a process that takes many years
of dedicated studies, before he ceases to be uncomfortable for his horse.
It is the rider's moral obligation to his horse to do everything he can to
become the best horseman he can be. This, to me, is an extremely important
aspect of the rider's humility and respect for the horse. This is the
foundation that enables the rider to avoid abuse. It begins with gaining
control over his limbs, but it does not end there. A good, classical
education trains not only the rider's body, but the entire person. Among
other things, it also teaches the rider to respect his horse enough not to
demand anything the horse is incapable of doing.
Pluvinel addresses this issue best on page 10 of his "L'instruction du roi":
"However, in order to be a truly good horseman (bon homme à cheval), one has
to know, in theory as well as in practice, how to train any kind of horse in
any kind of air, in any kind of manege: to know their powers, their
inclinations, their habits, their strengths and weaknesses, and their entire
nature. Most of all, one has to exercise one's judgement to know for what
the horse may be talented, so that one only undertakes what he can perform
in good form. And if someone possesses this knowledge to commence, to
continue, and to finish the horse's education with the patience, the
resolution, the gentleness, and the firmness required to achieve the goal to
which the good rider must aspire, if these qualities are found in a man, he
can truly be considered a good horseman (bon homme à cheval)."
To come back to the balance I mentioned initially. I demand that my horses
do to the best of their ability what I ask of them. In return, they know
that I won't ask anything they are physically incapable of doing. Most of
the demands are very simple, and I am happy with an honest effort, even if
the execution is less than perfect. They know that I won't torture them with
endless repetitions, if they do well. My lessons tend to be short, if the
horse is willing. But they also know that in case of insubordination, the
lesson won't end until they show a sign of good will, no matter how long it
takes. I do my very best every minute in the saddle to be the best rider I
can be. And, of course, I try to give them the best care I can. It is a deal
I make with them, and they all understand it and go along with it very
quickly. This is, in my opinion, the mutual trust and respect that is so
often mentioned. I respect my horse enough to make every effort to learn how
to ride and to be fair. My horse respects me in return, because I believe
horses are sensitive and intelligent enough to know the rider's heart. In
the course of the training, I come to trust my horses with my life, because
my training makes them reliable under any circumstances. Conversely, my
horses trust me, because I never take advantage of their good will. I takes
a little time to develop this bond, because mutual trust is built on
positive experiences. In other words, it has to be earned. This is easier
with green horses than with horses who have been taken advantage of and
abused. But it's a bond that grows stronger the more time we spend together.
In this sense, although my horse is *very* obedient, I feel like I am his
slave.
This has another interesting aspect. Although I demand obedience, it is the
horse who determines what must be worked on and how fast the training can
progress. In many ways, it is the horse who calls the shots, not the rider.
I personally also become very lenient with horses that I know very well and
who have earned certain priviledges through their obedience and hard work.
Because I know that they will do exactly what I tell them when I ask, I
allow them much more leeway outside of work than other horses who have not
earned the same status yet.
- Thomas Ritter
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Last Update: January 13, 2007