| Here at
Penzance, our GOALS are simple - to give every visitor or registered student a piece of
HORSEMANSHIP that he or she can take home to their own world. We believe that good horsemanship not only affects our work with
our horses, but the principles and guidelines connected with horsemanship reach out to
every animal and person in our lives. Through printed media, web media, personal training,
education and lessons, every single person who comes in contact with someone from Penzance
will be the recipient of positive, kind and gentle reinforcement! Reinforcement to be and
do the best they can every day whether working with horses or not.
The general principles of studying
Horsemanship here at Penzance are simple ... we follow the Golden Rule. Well, at least it
*sounds* simple but in the throes of bruised human egos, self focus and human
psychological traits, living the rule isn't always so simple and easy.
| Assertiveness
vs. Aggression - The "AA" factor. |
I'm not talking of Alcoholics
Anonymous, either, here! I'm talking about the disposition of Assertiveness with respect
to our daily interactions with others; particularly horses. General study of Equine
Psychology brings to light the inherent instincts of the horse - "Flee or
Fight". First "rule" when working with horses is recognizing they are
animals of prey - they are not hunters. They do not aggress others unless they feel so
threatened they have no other choice. If a horse cannot flee for whatever reason, it will
turn defensive and fight. Humans are Predators. Humans hunt. The "AA" factor
dictates that we, in light of working gently with the horse, act in an
"assertive" manner rather than "aggressive" manner. Assertiveness
brings the feeling of trust, confidence and caring whereas "aggressiveness"
begets fear in the recipient of the aggression. The circle is completed when that fear
turns to aggression as a defensive act. This simply states ... aggression is born from
fear. When we cause the horse to fear, it is simply because we are acting aggressively
towards the horse. This, in turn, reaps what we call "problem behavior" from the
horse. Instead, we should be 'asserting' our place in the herd to instill the trust
and confidence of the horse towards us.
This rule applies just as strongly in our
interactions with other people as it does with horses.
Think about it .... seriously. It is the
backbone of Penzance.
| 2000 - 2001
Studies at Penzance |
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