What does Cesar Millan have to do with horse training?

Changing the way horse people think about horse training


I read an article yesterday called "The Dog Whisperer Should Just Shut Up" by Curtis Pesmen (there is a link below). The article talks about Cesar's methods and how they are dominant and aggressive and the fact that he has no "credentials". So, what does Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer" have to do with horse training?  In one sense, everything.  His dog training methods are nearly identical to Clinton Anderson's and most traditional horse training.  It's all about dominance, being the "pack leader", using the animals' "own language" to become part of the group and control them. What's wrong with that?  I mean, using the animal's own language sounds somehow intuitive, doesn't it? And what about the fact that most clinicians do NOT have any credentials from a college or university, but merely have put in many hours with other horse trainers?  What does that say about the horse training industry?  It says we value experience more than education, but I don't think anyone will be speaking out against those trainers publicly. 


If a horse trainer has won some competitions, has a TV show and a DVD training series, travels around giving clinics and is "good with horses", those are considered credentials enough. How many of them have degrees in Equine Science?  How many of them know any theories about animal or horse behavior specifically?  I don't know.  None of the clinicians I know of has ever mentioned any credentials besides...other horsemen (if that. Many say they came up with it all on their own).  What I'm talking about here are the more "Western" style clinicians, the ones who are really making the big bucks and marketing themselves.  


On the other hand, the dressage folks certify instructors and judges and have rules that govern many aspects of the sport.  They lean towards education and rules. Those at the highest level of the sport still have coaches and take riding lessons.  That doesn't make it perfect, but at least there is a group of people overseeing things that makes sure someone who teaches and trains knows what they are doing. 


Aside from the fact that many clinicians and backyard trainers are not educated, the overall (English or western) attitude is that "if it's been done this way forever, it's the way to do it forever".  I bought in to all of it, too -the "joining up" in the round pen, the need to dominate the horse, the fact that they are unpredictable and dangerous.   I also bought in to the "sacking out" technique - just keep rubbing that tarp on the horse until they give in...after weeks, months, yes they might give in.  Some give in right away and others fight it, but in the end it's all learned helplessness.  Yes, that's right - they do "learn" to "accept" the tarp, but they don't necessarily like it, either. I believe that these methods only bring out aggression in horses, causing them to become more dangerous and unpredictable because we are in essence pressuring them (my mentor even used that very word - pressuring).


In the world of horse training, all of these things are widely accepted and never questioned by horse people.  The longer someone has been a "horse person", the more likely they are to accept these things and the more immune they become to what is really happening. No one who has been working with horses since they were ten years old thinks that they are mistreating a horse.  No one who has been competing horses since the age of ten thinks that they are doing anything wrong. 
That's exactly what the problem is - this is how we have ALWAYS trained horses.  Few folks wonder if it's the right way.

My Mom with Luna and Snickers

If more horsemen got an education such as a basic equine science degree, they would be less likely to keep traditions alive that are harmful or don't work. They might think very differently about how they do things.  They would know that many wives tales about horse behavior, disease and reproduction are just that, wives tales. If they learned merely to question what they are doing perhaps they would be more open minded about new ways of training. I know I did, and it stopped me from being "that kind" of trainer. We are all empowered trainers, empowered to do what we feel is right regardless of what the status quo is. 


 I've said it before in other posts in this blog and I'll say it again here.  Dominance is not necessary in horse training and neither is tap-tap-whack, or an aggressive "do it now" mentality. I firmly believe horses are naturally submissive and are cooperative when you treat them with respect.  It isn't necessary to force them to do things, much less do it quickly.  Give them time to think and they will get it much more quickly plus they will be "using the thinking side of their brains", to quote Mr. Anderson.  Isn't that what we want, after all?
Aggression begets aggression, every time.  Kindness, trust and respect return to you tenfold. 


If you agree or disagree I'd love to hear your thoughts! 


 Below is a link to the article about Cesar Millan:


http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ1006-ESQ100_20-21.FINAL.rev_1?src=soc_fcbk

What road will you travel?