A horse/rider psychology question?

OH YAH!! I love these kinda questions!! =D

Heres the classic example!! Bobby (random names I made up) takes his horse Boo to a horse show. Bobby is really nervous. Boo starts to get very nervous because Bobby is nervous. Bobby gets very nervous because Boo started to get nervous! And the cycle goes on...

Bobby is EXCITED for the show, so Boo gets excited. Then Bobby gets even more excited and even a little nervous because Boo is acting all excited now! And the cycle goes on.

Horses pick up things from us, and when they pick up things from us, we pick up things from them. I had a really spooky horse a couple years ago. When I saw a plastic bag, I thought "OH GOD". My heart rate would start getting really high, i would start getting tense, I would hold my breath, and then my horse would just explode and bolt away from it and whip around me like a nut. If I had seen a plastic bag WITHOUT the horse, I wouldnt have gotten all nervous and anxious!!!!!! But its the PAST experiences that made me so nervous about seeing it!! Then my horse got nervous and then the cycle has started!!!!!! That was a while ago, and that same horse taught me patience and how to relax, and just ignor anything scary. And that same horse is pretty much bomb proof now.

I think when you become more "advanced" in horsemanship and reading horses and training, you begin to be more aware of your emotions, body movements, tensing up, thoughts, etc.... And you are then able to control it. I had a job at moving bunnies all around and after carying so many, when I felt the bunny tense up and get ready to kick its back legs at me, I would just remember to completely relax and take a deep breath. When I did, the bunny would relax again and wouldnt kick. Same with horses- when I see my horse is concerned about something, I relax, take a deep breath, and say Its ok Ive been around this before! It didnt hurt me and its not going to hurt you...Then my horse horse completely relaxes WITH ME in effect to me relaxing.

As for personality- Wow getting philosophical are we!! Are horses born with personalities or do they gain personalities over time? Are humans born with personalities? I personally believe that we develop personalities trates from the people around us. And same with horses- if they are bred and owned by someone who is really uptight and snotty, I think the horse will be uptight. If they are bred and raised be a calm kinda all around cowboy type thats really relaxed..the horse will be relaxed and calm.

It might sound stange but yes! I ride a very spooky horse, and now I get very jumpy at silly things! If I hear a sudden loud noise or something moves around me, or touches me from behind, I freak out! My head shoots up and I stand up and turn around real quick, having a mini panic attack. Its so strange, because I was never like that until I started riding this horse!

yes. i have learned a lot of lifes lessons by watching my horse. such as you shouldnt sweat the small stuff...and how to overcome fear. fear was the biggest one. we were riding nd there ws a snake (im terrified of them) and she just calmly rode on without even noticing. while im flipping out on her back.

i got aggravation and a very low bank balance from my horse

I got patience from my horse.

I know your question is serious, My first thought would be of humor, So I'll save it. How are you fly guy?

My mare is kinda anti-social...I've became the same way.

empty wallet and I cannot poop and walk at the same time. : O