BREEDING AND BEHAVIOR: What's One Got to do With the Other?

Question:  How much of your horse’s behavior should you attribute to its breed?

Answer:  As much as serves you. Period.

Beliefs about horse breeds are one of those things that continually get in the way of riders having great relationships with their horses. Because breeding helps determine a horse’s physical characteristics (size and shape of body, the way the horse is naturally inclined to move, etc.) it has much to do with the type of work or sport for which a horse might be best suited. But, from what I’ve seen, breeding has very little to do with how a horse behaves while performing its work or sport.

One of my closest friends insists her horses are bred to be hot, so she regularly calls me out on this. “You can’t argue with genetics,” she claims. No, but you can certainly argue for your own limitations by holding onto beliefs that don’t help you get the behavior you want from your horse.

  

It’s natural to form preconceived notions about different horse breeds based on what we see, hear or read…especially when opinions come from those we consider more ‘in the know’ than ourselves. But when long-held beliefs become roadblocks on the path to success, why not question them? As free thinkers, we get to believe whatever we want. If your goal is to be happy in your relationship with your horse, only good things can come from dumping beliefs that don’t lead you in that direction.

 

Folks dealing with high-strung horses, including my friend, are rarely thrilled about believing their horses are genetically predisposed to behave like drama-queens about every little thing. Quite often they settle for feelings of resignation after suffering plenty of feelings of frustration. They resign themselves to dealing with unwanted behavior despite the fact that there is a lot of evidence to suggest they don't have to. Go see for yourself. Go watch horses while they are out in their pastures among other horses. You will see the Arabs and thoroughbreds behaving pretty much the same as quarter horses or drafts.

I personally believe that, given the opportunity, horses of all breeds will gladly behave calmly because high-anxiety is emotionally and physically exhausting. Being in a state of calmness just feels better, a lot better, than being in a state of nervousness or fright. So, if you’re thinking your ex-racehorse can't help behaving like a big bundle of nerves, do yourself a favor and rethink things. Chances are he is behaving that way only because you believe he has no choice.

Question your beliefs about your horse’s breed. Are you holding onto any that are holding you back? If so, let go! Challenge yourself to believe what makes you happy.

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Give your horse the opportunity to behave calmly for you by

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SHOW SEASON PRIMER: Let the Fun Begin!

Stressed out, worried or nervous about an upcoming horse show? If so, you might be missing the whole point of going. Riding is a sport. Take it too seriously and you'll deprive yourself of the best part of participating in any sport - the fun! “But, I’ve spent so much money on training and lessons,” you might protest.  “I must take it very seriously!”

No, honestly, you don’t. “But, I’ve worked so hard and spent so many hours, days, months practicing. If I don’t win, it will all have been for naught.”

Mmm, no it won’t. “But, but, but…”

Stop! There are no buts. Get a grip on yourself. You got into riding in the first place for the fun of it. Keeping your eye on the prize means knowing that’s what the prize is – the fun. Everything else is just icing on the cake. If you have your doubts, read the USEF's Sportsman's Charter. Read it until it becomes personal because having fun is a requirement for living a happy life. Here it is...with some of my own thoughts about it:

That sport is something done for the fun of doing it and that it ceases to be sport when it becomes a business only, something done for what there is in it;

See, it’s right there in writing, "...something done for the fun of doing it.” Make

it about anything else (ribbons, fame, fortune, etc.) and soon you’ll start 

wondering why it’s not the blast it used to be. 

That amateurism is something of the heart and spirit - not a matter of exact technical qualifications;

Surely this speaks to idea that masters become masters by remaining eager and

passionate about their sport… by embracing, with childlike enthusiasm,

the notion that there is always opportunity for expansion. 

That good manners of sport are fundamentally important; That the code must be strictly upheld;

Oh, hell yes! Go to shows with the belief that everyone shares equal love for horses

plus the discipline to keep negative comments to yourself, and you will 

neither offend nor be offended.  We truly are all in this together.

That the whole structure of sport is not only preserved from the absurdity of undue importance, but is justified by a kind of romance which animates it, and by the positive virtues of courage, patience, good temper, and unselfishness which are demanded by the code;

I want to hug the genius who strung together the words “the absurdity of undue importance!” This might be the most useful phrase in the history of phrases.

That the exploitation of sport for profit alone kills the spirit and retains only the husk and semblance of the thing;

Kills the spirit... kills it dead. Blah.

That the qualities of frankness, courage, and sincerity which mark the good sportsman in private life shall mark the discussions of his interests at a competition.

Good sportsmanship is habit, rather than something dusted off at show time.

I don’t believe anyone intentionally sets out to be a big drag in life, but lots of people wind up becoming boring, grumpy, uptight fuddy-duddies by default because they forget how to have fun for the sake of having fun. So, if you must pressure yourself about an upcoming horse show, pressure yourself to be fun and to have fun. Plan on it!

Plan to cram in a last minute lesson only if you feel ecstatic about the idea. If not, plan to pamper yourself with some chill out time instead, and some positive self-talk. Plan to breathe deep and stay calm, for your horse’s sake as well as your own. Plan to do your best and be proud of yourself. Plan to laugh off your mistakes by learning from them. Plan to lend a hand if needed. Plan to make a friend by having at least one conversation with a rider you’ve not met before. Plan to be gracious to the show staff because chances are they are volunteers.  Plan to cheer for others with gusto…put your whole heart into it!

When the show is over and you’re lying in bed that night, overwhelmed with appreciation and joy for the day and the experience you created… no doubt you’ll drift off to sleep feeling a sense of happiness beyond anything you could have planned.

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Whether at horse shows or at home, all riders need their own leadership skills for their own safety. Get yours! Order The ALPHA Equestrian Challenge today!