Section I. Horses Want Leaders They Trust
Chapter 1: A Tale of Two Ponies
1. Snickers, Pony Einstein?
2. What I discovered about leadership
1) Leadership approach has been around a long time
2) Research validates Protector Leadership based on horse behavior
3) Research shows differences in domestic vs free-roaming herds
3. The value of scientific research
4. Brandy the uncatchable
5. Protector Leadership
6. Training vs relationship
7. Empathy vs anthropomorphism
8. Being in charge
9. Mentors and role models
10. Safety
11. Things to try
Chapter 2: Earning Trust
1. First and lasting impressions
2. Catching the uncatchable horse
3. What next?
4. A teacher appears
5. Brandy arrives (May)
1) The Velcro Pony
2) Leading and following
3) Personal space
6. Saddle phobia (June)
7. Remedial saddle training (July)
8. Becoming a Protector Leader to my own horses
Section II. Horses Want Security and Social Bonds
Chapter 3: Free Roaming Herds: Complex Social Networks
1. Structure of free-roaming herds
1) Harem bands
2) Bachelor bands
2. Social bonds
3. Rank
4. Aggression
5. Mares and geldings without a stallion
6. Living conditions and diet
7. Leaders, friends, and social networking
8. Education of a free-roaming foal
9. Protector Leadership validated
Chapter 4: Domestic Horses: Social Networks Disrupted
1. Structure of domestic herds
2. Social bonds
3. Rank
4. Aggression
1) Confined spaces
2) Having food supplied
3) Artificial social groups with high turnover
5. Living conditions and diet
1) Being confined is abnormal
2) Lack of opportunity to use curiosity and explore surroundings
3) Diets high in carbohydrates and/or low in forage
6. Leaders, friends, and social networking
7. Education of a domestic foal
8. Stress-related behaviors (stereotypies)
9. The importance of early learning
10. Table 1: Herd Characteristics: Free-Roaming vs. Domestic
Chapter 5: Brandy Changes Our Herd Dynamics
1. History of our semi-dysfunctional herd
2. Snickers
3. Brandy comes on the scene
4. A friendship develops
5. Horses grieve
6. Brandy and Shiloh
7. Brandy and Bronzz
8. A year later: The circular hierarchy
9. Three years later: Circular hierarchy or Family group?
10. Changes in relationships with us
11. Sapphire's point of view
12. What bonds between horses mean for us
Section III. Interpret Behavior Accurately
Chapter 6: Positive Behaviors Misinterpreted
1. Initiating an action in an attempt to communicate with us
2. Pausing or experimenting to figure out what we want
3. Anticipating what we are going to ask
4. Volunteering an action that has been rewarded in the past
5. Disobeying for what the horse believes to be a good reason
6. Showing signs of trust and attachment
Chapter 7: Interpreting the Causes of Unwanted Behavior
1. Pain
1) Common signs of pain
2) Pain is often caused by people
2. Insecure balance
3. Confusion and misunderstandings
4. Insistent expectations
5. Punishment
6. Boredom or fatigue
7. Living conditions and diet
8. Pressure that the horse cannot relieve
9. Stressful situations
10. Anxiety
1) Fight, Flight, Fidget, Freeze
2) Hidden anxiety
Chapter 8: Brandy and Friends: "Bad" Behavior Reinterpreted
1. Bronzz: Spooky horse with a bucking problem
1) Bronzz's behavior reinterpreted
2. Shiloh: Lazy horse with a bad attitude
1) Shiloh's behavior reinterpreted
3. Brandy: Dangerously unpredictable
1) Brandy's behavior reinterpreted
4. In retrospect
Section IV: Communicate Like a Horse
Chapter 9: The Power & Pitfalls of Pressure
1. How horses use pressure with each other
1) Pressure is gentle
2) The meaning is clear
3) Horse is comfortable doing what is asked
4) Pressure is released promptly
2. How people inadvertently turn pressure into stress
1) Pressure is too strong
i. Our posture
ii. Our body orientation and where we look
iii. Eye contact
iv. Facial expressions and tone of voice
v. Personal space
2) Pressure that does not have a clear meaning
3) Horse is not comfortable doing what is asked
4) Pressure is not released promptly
3. The pitfalls of pressure
1) Pressure is a tricky training method
2) Pressure has a negative impact on relationships
3) High pressure "training" methods can appear dramatically successful
4) Horses can be overwhelmed with pressure
i. Learned helplessness
4. The power of pressure as positive communication
1) Pressure should be gentle enough to be comfortable for the horse
2) Pressure should be a clear cue that the horse understands
3) Horses should not be pressured to do things that make them uncomfortable
4) Pressure is released promptly
Chapter 10: Friendly Body Language
1. Synchronizing: Body Language that promotes trust and leadership
2. How synchronizing is different from learning through pressure
3. Brandy demonstrates synchronizing with me
1) Walk
2) Leading position
3) Turn
4) Setting the pace
5) Halt
6) Back
7) Trot
8) Canter
9) Head down
4. Standing still: Influencing Energy and Emotions
5. Recall (includes Brandy's escape into the woods)
6. An exciting new perspective
7. Trusting our horse's responses
8. The benefits of Friendly Body Language
1) Horses feel more secure
2) Horses reliably focus on leader
3) Cues learned by association expand horse's skills
9. Training myself
10. Surprises
11. Expanding our fluency in Friendly Body Language
Chapter 11: Rewards are Positive Feedback
1. Is our approval a reward?
2. Basic facts about rewards
1) Rewards are not bribes
2) Horses do use rewards in their own social interactions
3) Rewards must be something the horse appreciates
4) The timing must show a horse what he's done to earn it
3. Typical rewards
1) Praise
2) Stroking or scratching
3) Rest break
4) Fun break
5) food
i. Structured routines / no freebies
ii. Clicker training
iii. A mugger reformer
iv. Clicker training is versatile
5. Making the most of rewards
1) Stressful situations
2) Learning something new or difficult
3) Horse has done something exceptionally well
6. Limitations of Rewards
1) Do not replace good leadership, sound basic training, clear expectations, or consistent limits
2) Do not replace pressure / release as efficient communication
3) Do not replace Investigative Behavior or Confidence Building
4) Do not teach concepts such as intelligent disobedience
5) Do not replace need for security
7. Clicker training resources
Section V: Investigative Behavior Expands Horses' Comfort Zones
Chapter 12: How Horses Explore the World
1. Why confidence matters
2. Investigative Behavior (photo) sequence (at liberty)
3. A successful investigation
4. Obedience vs learning
5. Horses see things we don't see
6. Horses see things in a different context than we do
7. Investigative Behavior study: retraining jumpers
8. Practical application
1) Other reasons for jump refusals
9. Long term benefits of Investigative Behavior
10. Investigative Behavior as part of basic jumping training
Chapter 13: Encouraging Investigative Behavior
1. Our role as Protector Leader
2. Investigative Behavior: General guidelines
1) Lead by example
2) Position horse on the edge of his comfort zone
3) Allow investigation with no pressure or distractions
4) Allow approach and retreat
5) Stay tuned in to the horse's emotional state.
6) Plan for safety
3. Investigative Behavior on-lead: Skills needed
1) Horse needs reliable lead line manners and respect for personal space
2) Person needs good horse handling skills, especially the ability to read horse's emotional state
4. Equipment
5. Investigative Behavior on lead: Brandy and the tractor tire (photo sequence)
1) When not to get ahead of the horse
6. Investigative Behavior under saddle: How it goes wrong
1) Big horse vs small ditch
2) When a human is not acting like a leader
7. Investigative Behavior under saddle: Skills needed
1) The horse must respond reliably to basic riding cues
2) The rider should be skilled and confident enough to stay physically relaxed while mentally alert
8. When in doubt, dismount
9. Investigative Behavior under saddle: Bella and the big bad ball (photo sequence)
10. Investigative Behavior compared to desensitizing, bomb-proofing, spook busting, and flooding
11. Why Investigative Behavior is underused: people do not recognize:
1) Horses are curious.
2) Horses learn in ways other than repetition or conditioned response.
3) Anxiety is a common cause of problems.
4) Horses do not fake fear.
5) It's okay to let horses retreat, back away, look away, and/or circle around at their own discretion.
6) We need to wait until the horse tells us he feels safe.
7) We must not interfere with the horse's investigation.
8) We are not undermining our leadership when we let a horse focus on whatever is worrying him.
Chapter 14: Adventures in Investigative Behavior
1. Enlisting Assistance: Alien on wheels
2. More Assistance: The Fly Fisherman
3. Special Incentives: The Lean Mean Green Machine
4. Jackpot: The Sky is Falling
5. Three-Day Wonder: The Big Wide Scary Creek
6. Positive Associations: Introducing Bugs on Wheels
7. Observing from Afar: The Not-Quite-A-Horse
8. Protecting the Leader: The Big Bad Recycle Mess
9. Protector Leader vs The Monster in the Woods
10. New Species: Pint-sized Humans
11. Taming the Trailer Terror
12. Is there a downside to Investigative Behavior?
Section VI: Positive Experiences Build Confidence and Reliability
Chapter 15: Systematic Confidence Building
1. A systematic Confidence Building program
1) Over
2) Under
3) Through
2. Steps to success
1) Encourage Investigative Behavior, experimenting, and problem-solving
2) Start on the ground and demonstrate whenever possible
3) Keep a positive attitude
4) Start easy and break every task into tiny steps that ensure success
5) Reward effort
6) Go for precision, not speed
7) Keep sessions short and sweet
8) Be patient while horses think things through
9) Incorporate variety
10) Finish with a success
3. Generalizing the principles of success
4. Flexibility (6 ways to introduce crossing a tarp)
5. Long term benefits of Confidence Building
6. Obstacle clinics and competitions
7. Making progress
8. The ultimate measure of success
9. Additional resources
Chapter 16: Brandy's Confidence Blossoms
1. Role playing for health care
1) Farrier
2) Veterinarian
3) Chiropractor
4) Dentist
2. Confidence Building and Horse Agility
1) Over
i. Tarp
ii. Poles
iii. Hula hoop
iv. Stay command
2) Under
i. Umbrella
ii. Ribbon curtain
3) Through
i. Cone weave
ii. Pole patterns
iii. Backing
iv. Narrow gaps
4) Additional challenges
i. Moving objects
ii. Scary corridor
3. Practical application: Brandy plays Super-pony
4. Brandy's new career
5. Brandy likes her new career
6. The versatility of Horse Agility
7. More practical application: Brandy's hospital adventure
8. My Pony, My Teacher
Chapter 17: Freedom and Liberty
1. Freedom and safety
2. Wait a minute
1) Monitor environment
2) Curiosity
3) Comfort break
4) Worry
5) Mystery
3. Making requests
4. Special privileges
5. Playtime and playfulness
1) Copying
2) Picking things up
3) Ball dribbling
6. Liberty and Protector Leadership
1) Horse feels completely safe with us
2) Horse understands our body language
3) Horse respects our personal space
4) Horse halts with a remote cue and responds to recall
7. Liberty and play
8. Success at liberty
1) Horse is physically comfortable
2) We provide enough challenge for interest without frustration
3) We are generous with rewards
4) Progress in tiny steps
9. When they leave us
10. Liberty and round pen
11. Listening and learning
Section VII: Reducing Stress
Chapter 18: Problem-Solving Strategies
1. Stay safe
2. Identifying the underlying problem
3. Step 1: start with the obvious
1) New tack, rider, feed, turnout?
2) Did he recently have his feet done?
3) Has he gained or lost weight or muscle?
4) Is spring grass coming in or is he suddenly getting more grass?
5) Is he in a stressful situation?
6) Is this a new home or new owner?
4. Step 2: brainstorm possible explanations using list of reasons for unwanted behavior from chapter 7
1) Pain
2) Insecure balance
3) Confusion and misunderstands
4) Inconsistent expectations
5) Punishment
6) Boredom or fatigue
7) Living conditions or diet
8) Pressure the horse cannot relieve
9) Stressful situations
10) Anxiety
5. Step 3: evaluate possible explanations
1) When does the behavior happen? All the time or some times?
2) Where does it happen?
3) Who does it happen with? Everyone or only some people?
4) What is the horse's emotional state?
6. Step 4: gather more information as needed
1) Rule out pain first
i. Horses anticipate pain
ii. Pain can have multiple causes
iii. Pain can come and go
iv. The location of the pain does not always point to the root cause
2) Engage relevant practitioners
3) Be persistent and trust your intuition
7. Step 5: Test possible solutions
1) Change one thing at a time
2) Trust your horse's feedback
3) Make note of what happens as you try different options
4) Recognize the limitations of professional training
8. Step 6: Be proactive to head off future problems
9. New horses need reassurance that we will be Protector Leaders
10. Good horses and bad matches
1) Anxious horse / anxious rider
2) Green horse / green rider
3) Big horse / small rider
4) Personality mismatches
5) The wrong job
11. When a match isn't working
12. Selling a horse ethically
1) Sell a horse while he is still able to earn himself a retirement home; otherwise, you're it.
2) Be honest about the horse.
3) Turn away anyone clearly unsuited for this horse in particular or horse ownership in general.
Chapter 19: Being a Considerate Rider
1. Groom and tack up tactfully
2. Use a mounting block or get a leg up
3. Check your balance
4. Beware of the heels down trap
5. Don't let your saddle sabotage you
6. Beware of tension
7. Take advantage of posting and two-point position
8. Use invisible cues
9. Maintain consistent expectations
10. Stay tuned in to your horse's mental state
11. Have a mental problem-solving checklist
12. Learn how to prevent and cope with emergencies
13. Choose riding instructors who understand horses' needs
14. Additional Resources
Chapter 20: Our Horses' Low Stress Lifestyle
1. Mealtime routines
2. The menu
3. Turnout
4. Pasture time
5. Jobs, responsibilities, and social time
Conclusion
