• The horse exhibits natural behavior that we misinterpret – and respond to what we think it means.
• The horse has problems within its herd, with the daily routine, or its environment in general.
• We send unclear or, more importantly, inauthentic signals that confuse or frustrate our horse.
• Our horse senses our feelings such as self-doubt, frustration, regret, restlessness, and loneliness, and reacts either with self-protection and defense or it shares and carries these issues for us.
• The horse has been trained with much force and violence by a previous owner and is traumatized.

And this way usually isn’t about more or different training!

• First, we find out if the problematic behavior also occurs in the wild, and if so, what it means, and what the best response from us is. If it’s unnatural, it almost always has to do with human influence.
• We explore if there are opportunities to optimize the horse’s environment, including if its current herd is a good fit, and if not, what changes you could make to help your horse feel better again.
• We talk about the horse’s history (as far as known) and – if you are open to it, we also talk about how your horse mirrors your emotions, life themes, and relationship pattern, e.g., you find it hard to set boundaries, or that you often put your own needs last, etc., and what this means for your horse.

Being a trusted guardian and a true leader is crucial in our relationship with our horse. Here are the eight most important leadership skills – the ones we’re strengthening in ourselves with Being Herd:

Empathy: True leaders work to understand those they lead. For horses, this means recognizing and responding to their feelings and building a caring connection. That includes giving our horses autonomy, where possible.

Authenticity: Being real and meaning what we communicate through our behaviour and our body is so important. In the end, we don’t even have a chance to lie to our horse, as they will sense it and give us their feedback.

Natural Communication: By learning the signals that wild horses use, we can communicate in a way that horses naturally understand. This respectful communication is not only effective but also easy to understand for the horse – without conditioning it.

Collaboration: Good leadership isn’t about being ‘the boss’; it’s about working together towards shared goals. This means being able to lead when necessary but also listening and responding to the needs of our horses – to gain their trust and respect.

Motivation and Inspiration: Using positive reinforcement where possible is not only natural, but it is also enriching for our horse. We can decide to only use it for essential training (depending on your wishes), but also to satisfy their desire to create outcomes with their behaviour.

Decisiveness: True leaders need to make clear and quick decisions. This helps the horse to know what’s expected and keeps things clear and calm.

Conflict Management: Keeping peace within the herd is one of the key tasks of the herd stallion. Good leaders handle disputes quickly and fairly, keeping everyone stable and trusting each other.

Readiness to Sacrifice: The best leaders put the needs of their horses first, showing selflessness and commitment. This kind of attitude builds trust and loyalty, as our horses feel cared for and valued.

These skills are not just about leading but about improving the lives of the horses we care for. By using these skills, we can build a relationship based on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation, leading to deep connection and wonderful experiences.