Dominance vs. Leadership
Of everything I’ve learned recently, one of the most mind-opening concepts is the distinction between dominance and leadership. Growing up, I’d understood there were basically two kinds of horses: dominant horses and submissive horses. In a herd, the dominant horses were the ones in charge. The Resnick Method of Liberty Horsemanship introduced me to a revelatory third type: lead horses.
A major difference between lead horses and dominant horses is what each prioritizes. A dominant horse is interested in maintaining or raising their status in the herd pecking order. Meanwhile, a lead horse is focused on more vital matters, such as where the herd is going to find food and how to keep them safe. Because lead horses have such significant responsibilities, one can usually spot them in a herd. They’ll be the most aware of everything going on around them. In the human world, this would be like walking into a party and being able to pick out the host. They’re the ones paying the most attention.
Another big difference between dominant horses and lead horses is how they respond to challenges. When a dominant horse challenges another dominant horse, a fight will break out as each seeks to prove superiority. However, when a dominant horse challenges a lead horse, the lead horse will leave, knowing that a dominant reaction would only lead to more dominance. Instead, the lead horse takes their time and responds more thoughtfully. Later, when the dominant horse isn’t paying attention, the lead horse may run up behind and startle them. Since awareness is such a vital leadership trait, this tactic makes it clear to everyone in the herd who the real leader is.
This concept is fundamentally changing the way I interact with horses and humans alike. When challenged in the past, my first instincts were to react defensively. Now when I’m challenged, instead of allowing insecurities to dictate my reaction, I take my time to think through a response that will deepen connection instead of escalating into a dispute. Choosing leadership over dominance is a decision I make repeatedly every day, and some days I’m more successful than others. Thankfully, horses are excellent teachers. The beauty of liberty horsemanship is that they are absolutely allowed to question my leadership. When they do, instead of reacting with dominance, I find the entry point of connection. When I respond thoughtfully in this way, my next request almost always gets a “Yes!”
Is there someone in your life that exemplifies leadership over dominance? Where in your life have you been dominant when it could've been more helpful to lead? Let me know on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, and may the horse be with you, always!
