Since Natalie has started working with the rescues doing Natural Horsemanship, I have learned that there are several "games" that you can play with them, such as the yo yo game, the porcupine game, etc. I have also learned that you can understand how horses think just by watching them interact in their herd. Every horse exhibits behaviors that make up its "Horsenality". He can be a left brain extrovert or introvert or a right brain extrovert or introvert. Some horses can switch over from left brain to right brain in an instant. It sounds complicated I know. But as I watch the horses, it makes more and more sense to me everyday.
Two of our rescues, Our Man and Lucky, both geldings, are turned out together every day. A natural horsemanship trainer would label Our Man as a "leader" and Lucky would be considered "dominant". Yes, in a herd, there is a difference. You really need to take the time to study this, it is so interesting.
It is amazing to watch Our Man and Lucky interact in the pasture. Neither one of them really want to "give up" their status. To mix a leader with a dominant horse can be very educational, as well as entertaining. These two are really good buddies and they tolerate each other so well. All day long, they battle over who is going to move who or which one is going to get that pile of hay or stand at the gate to come in at feeding time. It makes me laugh to watch them. They never make physical contact, but the language they use with their bodies and facial expressions have really taught me how the relationship should be between human and horse. Watching Our Man "drive" Lucky and then Lucky moving Our Man from the water trough is hilarious. These two would be an asset to any herd in the wild. They are both kind of special around the rescue facility too.
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