Training Horses - 30 Day Fast Track - Day 6

 Training Horses -

 

30 Day Fast Track - Day 6

Day 6 - How to Set Fair Boundaries

This is can be a difficult topic and I think it might be one that I struggle with when she is smaller and younger. But I HAVE to remember that soon she will be taller than me and much much heavier than me so I have to establish safe boundaries for both our benefit. 

My homework today is actually one of the things I can do even without her being her. I will read what everyone else's rules are and if I agree with them I will add them to my rules. Gabi said that we are supposed to go with what feels right to us and everyone's rules will be different. So I am going to focus on what feels right for me. As I am around her more I will discover if there are other behaviors that I need to make rules about. 

Four important facts about making boundaries are: 

1. quiet & self-assured presence
2. firm & friendly attitude
3. warn verbally before correcting physically
4. get point across 100%.

Here is my list of Rules

My Boundaries

1. no biting
2. no kicking
3. don't push on me
4. don't horseplay with me
5. don't pull on me
6. be polite when feeding

My Rules for Myself for Lilly

1. I will respect your personal space
2. I will not take my feelings out on you
3. I will be focused and present when I am with you
4. I will be the leader you need me to be so you feel safe
5. I will ask for consent with whatever we do
6. I will take your emotions into account
7. I will listen to you and watch your body language
8. I will say thank you when you respect my boundaries
9. I will always look for the golden nuggets
10. I will let you be a horse
11. I will do everything I can to make sure you are safe, happy, and healthy
12. I will watch out for dangerous and scary situations so we can both be safe
13. I will continue to educate myself so that I am always learning and growing in my knowledge of how to do the other things

I think my "no-clue" word will be "hey" it is what I say to my dogs when they are doing something I don't want them to do. I also say "watch it" when I want them to move over when we are on our "bike-run" 

It is also important to say "thank you" and reward your horse after the correction.