Re: RC: Preventing Herd Bound Behavior?

[Vallonelee@aol.com]

I have dealt with my share of horses that acted herd bound.  After a period 
of training where they are taught to focus on the rider, this "herd 
boundness" disappears.  I really feel that this tendency shows up when the 
horse is not bonded to the rider and therefore does not trust the rider.  
When the relationship develops, and the horse and rider face situations in 
which the rider acts like an appropriate leader, the horse relaxes because he 
is with "the boss".  I have four horses and when I ride one, the others left 
behind make a racket.  However, the horse I am riding never utters a peep and 
never looks back to the other horses.  I believe they are confident because I 
am the "Boss Mare" and what better, or safer, place to be than with the 
leader. 

JMHO.

Lee