Keith, if someone like me (who had a scary experience with a horse when young) and never was made to get back on one...approaches a horse now somewhat afraid because of their size... How does a person who's developed a fear approach a horse ? or is it best NOT to ? they are MASTER'S at sensing fear, and human emotion... I suppose it wouldn't be wise for someone like me who is afraid of them now, to approach a horse unless I'm with someone who the horse trusts as well... Would the thing trample me ?
Here's an interesting story about one experience I had with animals sensing our apprehension and reacting. Years ago I was at someones home and they had this little Lhasa that was sleeping, I walked past the little thing that was facing away from me, and thinking it was adorable just instinctively petted the dog, no reaction, NOTHING, the tail moved, and the dog kept sleeping... The owner said "That was amazing".. I asked, "what was" ? "That the dog didn't snarl at you, he doesn't like people he doesn't know touching him".... He said, "try again"..... I reached to pet the dog reluctantly this time, and got my hand bit :( I learned when I got into bird owning that getting bit is all part of the hobby of having a pet bird..
.. or as most who have delt with birds know, BIRD'S BITE... They have to... they have no other defenses, but they give warning signs first, yet to train the small ones, you have to take a few nips on the hands.... especially if they aren't hand-tamed babies...You have to actually reach for and grab the poor little things at first in order to train them you won't hurt them...and your hand isn't something to be feared...because by the time they are 1 year old, it's VERY tough to break their fear of a human hand. assuming they don't associate directly with food... Now that's with just the little ones.. Groomer's and Avian techs that have clipped wings, and claws, can tell you nightmarish stories, about what a scared Macaw, or Too can do to a finger when trying to restrain the scared animal while wing clipping :shock: ..
I've know people that have lost fingers ! These are birds that can easily crack walnuts of course with beek strength....
Sorry to highjack your horse thread Keith... My ADD is acting up today, thing is.. I'm wondering if it's safe for a person who's developed a horse fear to somehow approach the animal as to not cause a big disturbance..