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Ethics

Rediscovering horses, part 4 

Problem solving and ethics

The difference between training and co-learning

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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