The Magic Ratio

According to studies conducted by Dr Gottman & Robert Levenson in the 70’s and beyond, for human relationships there is a ‘magic ratio’ that can be applied to positive and negative interactions to predict success in the relationship.

That ratio is 5 : 1 - for every negative interaction, you need 5 positives to make up for it. (Remembering that not everything will be forgiven or forgotten)

I believe the same to be true of our horses, and, depending on the severity of the negative interaction - maybe more.

Despite many of us being interested and invested in reading our horses emotions, we may still struggle with what to do with that information once we have it.

Another factor is us understanding that it is the horses interpretation of the experience that counts - not ours!
We may wash a horse for example and not consider it to be a ‘negative experience’ but the horse does - so we then need to have 5 positives to make up for that negative - but those 5 positives need to be considered positive to the horse - not our idea of what is positive. For example we may think taking and putting the horse in beautiful grass pasture, or in a yard and giving him his favourite food a positive experience, but he may consider it negative because he is away from his friends (security).

Food for thought

Train with Us!

November - we are in Victoria, Australia
17 & 18 - Balance, Self Carriage and Transitions
19 & 20 - Obstacles for confidence and partnership
Location;
Merton Park Equine Mountain Trail Obstacle Course

Then we head to Black Horse Lodge to compete at the Cowboy Dressage - Come and say Hello!

Then we head back to Glenreagh, NSW for our Cowboy Dressage
clinic and gathering - November 30 - December 4th.

January - 21 day immersion clinic followed by 5 day kickstart!

Vest @tuktukclothing
Chinkettes @kylie_gartside
Wildrag @buckaroobunkhouse
Saddle @brophy953
Shine @cen_horse

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