Drive: motivating horse and human

A story of the surprising truth about what really motivates humans and horses

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Horse
• Spirit
• Dan+Pink
• Drive
• Motivation
• Kathy+Sierra
• Steinar
• Iceland
• Icelandic+Horse
• Daniel+Pink

[AdamTillontheWeb]

With all due respect, this sort of anthropomorphic "journey" is he root of all the great "natural horsemanship" sales pitches out there. Great way to sell stuff though, which I assume will be the eventual point here.

Encouraging and rewarding defiance in a horse is a great way to get inexperienced people killed. If you meet the needs of a horse for security and guidance, then "defiance" doesn't even enter the picture. Likewise, "pride" exists only in a human context.

Best of luck, however.

[TheSpiritProject]

@AdamTillontheWeb I'm a software engineer who writes computer books for a living. Nothing to sell... I started this project to offer a perspective about the spirit of the Icelandic horse, my passion. I'm not sure any professional trainer would *suggest* rewarding defiance. As for the notion of rewarding "pride" in the horse, you'll find that in Xenophon's ancient writings. We'll have to disagree about whether this is anthropomorphism. If I'd said he wanted to "friend" me, well, then I'd agree.

[Espritlogi]

Food for Thought! I posted your video on my facebook account.

[HeartofEquus]

@AdamTillontheWeb" Equality is a noble concept until riding comes into play,

I'm sorry. I don't understand. Whatever type of relationship we establish on the ground is the same one we share when riding. We 'take care of each other,' at least all the horses I've ever worked with and I do).

" or you'd like to not be run over.."

Again, why on earth would a horse 'run over' you if they cared about your welfare?

[AdamTillontheWeb]

@HeartofEquus Equality is a noble concept until riding comes into play, or you'd like to not be run over..

Most horse mamas I know taught their colts to spook and run first, questions later. If you're comfortable with your horse doing that (his opinion), then you like more excitement in your life then me.

Put another way, if I ask a lady to dance, am I saying that she's less then I am? Hardly. Likewise, if we both try to lead, then neither of us will have much fun.

Leader isn't a dirty word.

[HeartofEquus]

@AdamTillontheWeb "circumlocutory pomposity does not validate verisimilitude. Nor does verbosity assert validity."

My apologies, but then neither do nugatory, grandiloquent diatribes.

And of course, you are entitled to your opinion of 'leadership,' (and an admirable one at that).

But where there is a leader,' there must be a 'follower.' One is supposedly 'more,' and the other less,' (especially so in our present day 'training').

I prefer 'equal but different.'

[AdamTillontheWeb]

@HeartofEquus circumlocutory pomposity does not validate verisimilitude. Nor does verbosity assert validity.

Leadership is merely a reflection of trust. When another rider and I were able to direct a bull moose away from the barn yesterday without our horses batting an eye or even getting tight, that was an expression of met leadership. Conversely, the 40+ horses in their fields and paddocks freaking out and running the fences were indicating that not all was right in their world.

[HeartofEquus]

@AdamTillontheWeb "expression of met leadership"

 The term 'leadership' as the horse world seems enthrolled about is a 'slippery slope' of protectionism that reassures the ego and emotional stasis of our 'dominant 'human species.

While ethologically sound, (based upon the hierarchal culture of Equus Caballus insofar as natural selection and continued successful propagation of species) it is the plethoric mainstay of all behavioral issues that poison the human/equine potential (Cont.)

[windhorsesue]

Love it!!! I reward my horses for being "bad ass" as well sometimes, and it's amazing how "bad" can turn into fabulous. Of course, good skills and a framework of respect are really important baselines - as they are for ANY activity with horses. Commendations for displaying all in abundance. Horses aren't humans.. but they certainly do have their OWN feelings, ideas, desires.. Recognizing that isn't anthropomorphism - it's smart and leads to good training.. whatever your flavor.