The negative side of positive reinforcement, which I can BARELY live with (waving with sarcasm-sign), is the fact that Batman can choose whether he wants to play with me or not. Oh my God, I should never allow my horse to choose for himself, that makes him so difficult to deal with! (Waving with sarcasm-sign again) He is communicating with me and everything :O This is how yesterday turned out:
Batman, you look sleepy. Wanna lie down?
Down on the grouuuund, yes?
Batman: NOPE.
Nope nope nooooooouaaaaaaaaaahpe.
“Batman, let’s lie down!” “Nooooooooooooooope”
(Actually a bit creepy)
So yeah, yawning is the only thing you are capable of today?
No, I can kiss grumpy Matildes as well!
And who can say no to that?! :D
And yeah, I guess you deserve the carrot you know I’m hiding in my hand, Batman… :D
Horses should always be allowed to decide what they wants to do every now and then. They should also be allowed to say “no, I feel like I want to do something else today”. It is not our task to boss them around simply because we are humans and horses are horses. When you use force as a training method, you are also ruining every chance of two-way communication between two individuals.
Peace, love and Friesian hugs,
Batman & Matilde
(Reminder: Horses might yawn to express pain or discomfort. Batman yawned in this situation because I taught him to do it on cue, and he often do yawn, or smile, when I give him another cue, but he wants to do something else.)
1 comment
I completely agree! :D Just one question…in what circumstances would yawning indicate discomfort and/or pain? Isn’t it more a sign of comfort and relaxation…