Nature cannot function without balance. A species won’t take and take without contributing something of their own. When we take, we have to give something, too.
You can think of it as a what-goes-around-comes-around kind of situation. The truth is, the same goes for interacting with people – so this is an important concept. For one reason or another, it’s difficult for humans to comprehend. It seems that, for the most part, we take for granted that we have a horse, or other animal, who is performing tasks whenever we ask.
If we expect respect from our horse (no pinned ears, kicks, bucks, etc), we have to respect them (no whipping, kicking, slapping, controlling, and no bigger bits). A dog who gets yelled at, beaten, tied up and generally mishandled, won’t have respect for humans. It seems like common sense, but it’s not to most.
I’ve mentioned in a previous post that our animals are our mirrors who can pick up on the slightest changes in our behavior – physical, mental and emotional. Keep this in mind. What I mean by that, is: When you want something from your animal (want them to be more sensitive, sweet, safe, athletic, and so on) dish some of that out for them as well. Don’t leave them to be the one carrying the heavy load. Why would they want to continue that if you aren’t contributing anything of your own? If they do, why would they treat you with respect while doing it, if they never get respect from you?
So act around your animal the way you would like them to act and react around you. Be the sensitive, responsive, athletic “animal” that you wish to see on the other end of the lead rope or leash.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi