Ridecamp: [RC] Horse behavior

Hopefully this will not be considered a shameless plug for my book, but 
rather add something to the present discussion on ride camp concerning 
training horses whose personalities cover a wide range and, accordingly, need 
to be handled entirely differently. I do go into this subject in a bit of 
detail in Ten Feet Tall, Still.  Since writing it, I bought an Arabian mare a 
little over a year ago who is so sensitive to cues that if I ever struck her 
it would totally destroy the year's work I have put into her, and I doubt if 
she would ever get over it. She is fearful and I am dominant.  I have a 
gelding who regardless of how many times I have turned around and slapped his 
face (a no-no for many of you, I am sure) for nudging me when my back is 
turned and pitching me forward into a gate or whatever else is in the way, 
continues the behavior although he is becoming a bit more wary. But he is 
certainly indicating disrespect and I have not established myself as dominant 
when I am on the ground although he seems to respect my wishes when I am in 
the saddle. It all takes time.  It all takes work. It is worth it.
As several ridecampers stated, you very simply have to observe, watch, take 
notice, focus on each horse as an individual and establish your relationship 
according to what that particular horse tells you. 
And since people ask, in regard to my book, I have made all of my expenses 
with $6400 now donated to the two trail organization. With a large inventory 
now  paid for by generous purchasers, it is all gravy ahead.
Julie Suhr

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