Okay, guys so this week’s episode is a bit different. It has recently come to my attention that a video, as well as several posts, were made in response to my comments regarding the join up method during my dominance theory episodes. Enough was said that I felt I needed to address the issue again in greater depth & with more tact.
While I regret & take responsibility for my flippant remarks, I do stand by my original position. I do not believe join-up is a force-free nor typically an ethical way to train. In emergencies? Maybe. But as a way to gain a horse’s trust? No. There are far more effective & gentle ways of accomplishing that goal that are founded in behavior analysis, not an arbitrary concept.
That said, I want to be clear that I never intend to make anyone feel shamed or less-than. I sincerely apologize if that has ever been the case. While not an excuse, for context, I'm under a lot of stress with seemingly endless responsibilities & sometimes, my stress manifests inappropriately - for which I take responsibility. I am human & when discussing topics that I am passionate about, I don't always say the right thing. Regardless, I will strive to notice my tone & word choice to keep this from happening again. But it is also important to note that my disagreeing with & refuting a technique will inherently be, at the very least, uncomfortable to those on the opposing side. The goal is to encourage more consideration about how we interact with our horses rather than following the proverbial leader. That does not mean I dislike the *people* who practice methods with which I disagree. I know we are all trying our best to do right by our beloved animals.
However, I do take issue when methods/beliefs are founded on a concept that has no place in training in my eyes. Though never explicitly stated, the idea that a horse needs a leader/to submit is founded in dominance theory & not supported by science. There are alternative methods for training that are supported by science & foster a partnership founded on trust in relational history — positive associations. Again, not the person, but the actions. I believe there is always room for growth & evolution. Everyone is allowed to change & shouldn’t fear retribution for doing so.
A final reminder that if you do take it upon yourself to seek out the video & posts I reference, to be kind. I know the individual who made them is coming from a place of defense for what they believe is right. Have compassion in disagreement. I am not always the example that I want to be & all I can do is promise you that I will strive to become a better one.
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Dominance Theory Resources
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