Virtues

So once again I have been inspired by Kate over at A Year With Horses. Her series of posts of Virtues Instead of Actions has really intrigued me. She is an intelligent and thoughtful writer and writes about not only her horses but how we, as humans, interact with them. Good stuff. Good stuff.

Attention
Patience
Curiosity/ability to experiment
Forward/impulsion/responsiveness
Willingness/softness
Kindness/sociability
Calmness/relaxation
Self-confidence
Trust/trustworthiness

The above are virtues that Kate listed as those she'd like to develop in her horses. I'll start with those as my base as well for Hampton.


ATTENTION: While working, Hampton has an excellent attention span. Especially for such a young horse. When I am not asking anything of him, however, he can have a tendency to do the "stare off into the distance" thing. Especially if we are close to the pen with the donkeys. 


PATIENCE: Again, Hampton has developed excellent patience. I think this may be a result of how I started working with him as a 2 year old. No matter what I did (throw ropes over his back, rub saddle pads on him, jumped around next to him, etc.) he quickly figured out that if he just stood there, he would get rewarded. To this day he will stand FOR.EV.ER. if I asked him to. He is not much of a wiggly horse and stands quietly when tied as well.

CURIOSITY: I think Hampton has always been curious by nature. If anyone goes out in the field, he is one of the first to approach them. Frisk for treats, follow them around, etc. When we encounter something scary on the trail, all I have to do is give him some rein, and keep his head pointed in the direction I want to go. He may hesitate at first, but he has always been willing to eventually begin sniffing and will go past (or over in the case of logs, etc) the object. He also loves to sniff barn cats that approach and every grooming tool I use. 


FOWARD/IMPULSION: Ah, yes this still needs a little development. He is for the most part quick off my leg - but he wasn't naturally so. I had to develop that. If I allow him, he will be "lazy." I say lazy, although I don't really believe horses are lazy. I think that is a form of dominance, by not moving when I ask. 


WILLINGNESS/SOFTNESS: From Day 1, Hampton has been willing to work with me. Even when unsure, he has always tried. And I have never punished him for at least trying to find the answer. 

KINDNESS: This I think is Hampton's best virtue. He is so incredibly social with both people and horses (and cats, too!). Which is why I feel guilty for keeping him at a barn this summer where he only had 4 hours of turnout a day and with only one other horse. He loves being in a herd and fits in well. He has a kind eye and is just a total sweetheart.


CALMNESS/RELAXATION: I think this virtue has developed over the past year or so. He has always been a laid back dude, but I think with training and handling he has really learned to relax. I am always calm and chill when I handle him (or at least I try to be), as I am also a calm, laid back person by nature. But Hampton is no deadhead. He is alert and uses his ears well. He does shy and spook sometimes so I know we have more work to do.


SELF-CONFIDENCE: Another virtue that I think has been in progress. He was insecure when I got him  even abut haltering. You can totally read his face when he is worried or unsure. He wears his heart on his sleeve. But with patience and kindness, he has learned to trust me and other people. He has developed self-confidence as he has gotten older and experienced new things.


TRUST: Another virtue that I think most horses have to develop. But I do think Hampton put a lot of trust in me from the beginning. And I have kept my end of the bargain by never putting him in a situation that was beyond what he could handle. I find him quite trustworthy as well. 

Geez sorry if I wrote a novel but I find this fascinating! It's been too damn cold to ride lately so of course I have been bored. Hampton has been enjoying the daily alfalfa cube mash I bring him. He's otherwise comfy and happy.


Peace out.