What are the reasons why a horse becomes herd bound, and how do we address and overcome those tendencies? In this episode we address a listener’s question about the herd-bound horse.

When you’re dealing with a horse that resists being taken away from its barn- or pasture-mates, it’s important to understand the source of the resistance. A horse’s desire to be with other horses is part of its instinct for self-preservation. As a prey animal, a horse instinctively knows there is safety in numbers and, conversely, there’s danger in isolation.

In developing a plan for resolving this issue, start from the understanding that the horse’s lack of cooperation with you is a sign of its lack of respect for you as a leader. If you can establish yourself as the leader in your horse’s eyes, over time it will trust you to take it away from the herd.

The tools and techniques you’ll use will vary depending on the horse and the situation, but the starting point is to do whatever it takes to get the horse to focus its attention on you. Once you have the horse’s attention–no matter where you are or what the surroundings are–you can begin to develop that relationship of trust. We can’t control the horse’s environment, but by maintaining a position of leadership we can help our horses stay calm and confident regardless of the situation, so they’ll willingly follow us where we want them to go.

Listen to the episode as we talk about specific suggestions for how to do this.

Thank you, Scott, for your question. I hope this episode helps you and others in similar situations.

We want to hear your questions, comments, and suggestions. Share them in the comments section below, reach out to us on the Van Hargis Horsemanship Facebook page, or email me! We want your suggestions for topics we can address in future episodes, so if there’s a particular area where you’re struggling, or just curious, let us know!

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We’ll discuss why horses buck, and what we can do about it. If you don’t want to miss it, be sure to subscribe in iTunes or on Stitcher.

Thank you for listening. Until next time . . . remember to Ride Every Stride!

Van

Van Hargis Horsemanship