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Ethics

Rediscovering horses, part 4 

Problem solving and ethics

The difference between training and co-learning

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To Dr. Francesco De Giorgio, there is no such thing as "ethical horse training". Horse training is necessitated by the desire of humans to override the horse's own motivation, which is - in itself - unethical, he argues. This begs the question: How do horses in a domestic setting become comfortable with headcollars, with picking up their feet and with being touched by humans at all? To Francesco De Giorgio, the answer is simple: Humans must get better at facilitating independent learning for the horse. We must allow the horse a true stake in both the interactions and the tools we use. And we must practice co-learning alongside him or her. First and foremost, we must learn to say: "Horse, please, after you."

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