ALWAYS Protect Your Space Around Horses

[@karentate9114]

Watching this and listening to you is so educational. Especially when you break down the "incident " to fractions of seconds. I love these magnificent creatures and realize more and more I never would have been able to have the bucket list dream of owning and living with a horse . I'm 81, so I will continue to live vicariously through you. Safer and cheaper, too. Thanks so much.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you for letting me know that :)

[@Vickie-Bligh]

"Keep your space safe" is so true. When I was a kid (12-13) I was out visiting my uncle's broodmares & foals. Appaloosas are smaller for the most part but he had a huge mare, 16-2 or 3 named Dakota. I loved her and she was very affectionate toward me. However, I didn't pay attention to 'space', one of the other mares didn't want me there and made a pinned ears approach to me to get me to leave. I was too close to her foal in her mind, I imagine. Dakota was having none of it. She was the herd leader, she gently moved me back with her head, then spun & lashed out at the other mare. I backed away and got out of the herd. It actually wasn't until years later I truly understood my danger and how lucky I was.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Whew! that does sound like a close one

[@rareredmeat]

It seems like horses really naturally prioritize 'lets get back to chilling'. They dont seem to have a desire to hold grudges because it would never benefit a horse's survival to do so. I love your videos because you really showcase how horses dont have those petty human emotions that so many assume theyre displaying.

[@StableHorseTraining]

They do, something that too many humans do not do with themselves and especially horses. KZbin is full of angry trainers showing "out of control horses".

[@poyznelf]

thanks for the reload Graeme.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Any time!

[@kkdoc7864]

Thank you! I knew this video was going to be great. Slowing it down really helps in picking up the subtleties i would have missed otherwise.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisaraymond6193]

I remember that video and was impressed how quickly you changed a potentially dangerous situation. A few more seconds and Gracie would have kicked. I really like your understanding of horses and reading body language. You are becoming a most excellent teacher. God bless

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you

[@mikehenry6284]

Good video Graeme, and excellent points of interest. When your dealing with multiple horses, YOU MUST BE AWARE of where all horses are at the time, and what signals are being sent out. Super great video AND explanation! Blessings my friend 🙌 Jennifer

[@jbrand255]

Really loved how you slowed it down and explained everything clearly and concisely. I would be interested in more videos like this if you're up to it and you come across other situations that would be good teaching moments for this format.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Here's a playlist that I've started and will add in to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5O5aKKmdtt5e9E

[@jbrand255]

@@StableHorseTraining Thank you so much, I will check out the playlist.

[@_Emily_S]

This was incredible to watch, Graeme. Some of the things you pointed out I never in a million years would have picked up on. Especially when you mentioned Maia being at the fence, and the only thing between her and you- was said fence. I also noticed, in a split second between 10:09-10:10 you can see Gracie ALMOST kicks but you moved (I had to slow the speed down to .5 to catch it). Just amazing to learn and listen through you. You are fascinating!

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you! I'm glad this video was useful for you.

[@lauraalbertson7821]

You are so very brave ! Wow 😮 I love your honesty concerning how you were feeling in the moment. And yet you pushed through and calmly took charge . When others would have dropped the robe and ran . Over and over again I am so expressed the way you handle a scary situation. 🤩. I pray for you to be safe and continue to love what you do !, We need YOU , Laura 💜 Bear 💜 Willow 💜🐴

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you Laura!

[@paulasmith8324]

Lovely ending with Gracie and Maia nose to nose quietly talking. The beginning looked so dangerous and happened so fast. An excellent teaching moment on always keeping your safety circle.

[@calypso4554]

It's also a great example in "following through". Maia not only puts Gracie in her place, but follows her, cuts her off, looks at her for a moment and then goes away with her tail high, like saying: I mean it, just clarifying it. Gracie understands, and all is well.

[@StableHorseTraining]

True, yes, an advanced horse will always follow through and make sure the point was made with quiet verification. An elementary level horse (or human for that matter, which is most "trainers" on youtube, hence the "freaking out horse" or "won't listen horse") will follow through too far or not enough.

[@kelsiecaswell9845]

I definitely agree with you that near the end, Maia was getting big and flashy with the head waving, tail up and bucking after cutting Gracie as a "hey, now follow me!"

[@sandyhayden-bristow1382]

This clip really emphasizes, to a degree, your 'intent' video of earlier in the week. Maia showed her intent before you and Gracie ever entered the arena. Even though you were caught in a vulnerable position for a few seconds, you moved and showed your intent for Maia to just stay and not approach further. Working with more than one animal at a time really does mean you have to have your head on a swivel and keep your wits about you. I never fail to marvel at how such large animals can move and react so swiftly, it's amazing! This clip also shows the importance of maintaining your circle of safety because their movements are so fast.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Yes, intent is absolutely everything. When we all understand our intent then there is no confusion and there is peace.

[@madelinemorrill4798]

U did a real good explaining things about this. U are good . Thank u .

[@StableHorseTraining]

You are so welcome

[@ckomarec]

Neat commentary. You have such wise insight. I don't think I fully appreciated the speed of those kicks until you showed it in slow motion like that. Horses are so cool.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you, I'm glad this was informative!

[@heatherjohn2047]

Thank You Very Much for sharing this information it helps me Alot ❤

[@StableHorseTraining]

My pleasure 😊

[@mogauthier1000]

Thanks!

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you very much Marie!

[@kelseystrouse954]

I appreciate your input on these situations. I too, noticed Maia's body language as you and Gracie were approaching and, frankly, I would have circled back and not entered the arena with her at that time. After seeing your communications/intentions made clear and the final results of them going through those lessons, it was a good learning experience that would have otherwise been missed. I wonder if my changing my mind and not going in the arena would have actually made Gracie more nervous of Maia once they did meet? Kind of like I reconfirmed her need for caution when it came to Maia?

[@StableHorseTraining]

I think that if you had circled back then that would have been a good decision. We believe that our horses know our intentions or thoughts, imagine if you had simply forgotten that you had an appointment in 5 mins and didn't have time to put the horses out suddenly. They literally have no idea what we're thinking so it would be fine as it was the safer route for you to take.

[@kelseystrouse954]

That makes sense. Thank you.

[@martineinfrance]

The interaction between these two was fascinating. Thank you for explaining each action. Do you have news fro' Maia or have you seen her recently?

[@StableHorseTraining]

Her owner is the one that makes the bracelets, she says she is doing great

[@martineinfrance]

@@StableHorseTraining that 's right! Great👍

[@joannsmith9]

Replay it and watch Lena. She picked up what was going to come down before you ever entered the pen with Gracie. She never takes her eyes off of them. Poor Gracie was so tall that I didn’t recognize that it was Gracie. I’ve never seen her head that high

[@tinacaseley395]

noticed that too.

[@suee434]

I think what I've picked up this time 'round is how little humans resemble herd animals. Put two horses together, and they immediately behave like a herd. Humans see two horses sharing space. Definitely an advantage (for me, anyway) that you constantly interact with so many different combinations of personality. More than understanding individual behaviours; this is understanding group dynamics. Infinitely more complex.

[@StableHorseTraining]

That is very true.

[@sheblyne]

Knowing Gracie likes to kick ( or try to) to assert herself I could see it as soon as she came into the arena. She definitely positioned herself to do so as soon as she got interest from Maia. As soon as you repositioned her and put distance between them I could see she wasn't finished yet. That jump with the snake neck and shoulder in was plainly " Put up your dukes!" We know Gracie's lightening fast with her kicks but confident Maia wasn't having any of it and showed her she could match that. Her confidence gave her the upper hand and she went down to cut her off just to drive home the point, which Gracie got. I think they could be friendly or companiable after that because Gracie understood she couldn't push Maia around and Maia didn't feel the need to push Gracie around because her point had been made. They knew where they stood with each other which let them relax. To go back to your discussion about intentions I could see Gracie's intention from far outside the arena and I'm pretty sure Maia did too.

[@StableHorseTraining]

I think this assessment is too aggressive and makes things premeditated. I don't believe horses think like this but of course I could be wrong.

[@miarobv]

Was this sorting out a pecking order?

[@StableHorseTraining]

Yes

[@sarahthomson8183]

Cool..