Here is a question I get asked, "Do horses really see it as play when you work with them, and if not why should
I make mine be ridden? Is that what's best for horses?"
I know their are predominant Natural Horseman that have home studies, that want you to get to were your
horse views your time as play. But, I have watched horses play together and honestly I hope they never get to
were they want to view our time as play. I am to fragile to play with a horse. I can't handle being nipped and
kicked at. Besides we are always teaching our horses not to do that. So I believe we are teaching our horses
not to play with us. To keep with the definition of Natural Horse we have to view play as what is natural to them.
Like I have said before I don't pretend to be able to read a horses mind, just what they are saying to me. So I
don't know if they view it as work. But, what if they do? So what? I have to work. And, I do believe it is good for
me. I believe it is good for children to have to work. Why wouldn't it be good for a horse to have to work. Why
in this country now do we view work as a bad thing. But, how many people like to be abused at work?  I think
that is were the difference is, learning to understand what is emotional and mental abuse to a horse.

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