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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Is Your Horse a Rock Star?

6/9/2014

 
PictureBuy this!
I love this book. I bought it last year, but since both of my boys, especially Sydney, have changed so much over the last few months, I decided to pull it back out and re-check their personality types.

The book is readily available at Amazon for about $12.00. If you haven't bought it yet, I recommend it as it's worth $12 in entertainment alone.

If you haven't heard of the book, here is how it works. According to the author, Dessa Hockley, there are eight equine personality traits: 

  • Dominant or Submissive: How much control do they need in their world? 
  • Energetic or Lazy: How much effort do they put in? How do they express themselves? How much energy do they carry?
  • Curious or Afraid: How do they approach life and learning?
  • Friendly or Aloof: How are they motivated? How do they fit in socially?
You can read more about the personalities here.

There are four chapters in the book designed to help you decide where your horse falls in the personality spectrum. If you get stuck, there is also a 54 question quiz in the back that will help you. After reading each chapter, I was able to determine that Sydney is Dominant, Lazy, Afraid, and Friendly - DLAF.  Speedy G is Dominant, Energetic, Curious, and Friendly - DECF.

Once you have your four letters, the rest of the book is made up of chapters (16) that give a detailed description of each personality. There are also training tips for that personality and a discussion about which careers might best suit a horse of that personality type.

The author does point out that each of the personality types can be expressed mildly or more strongly. This range will influence the other three traits. For example, a mildly dominant horse (both of mine) who is also energetic or afraid is much easier to deal with than a horse with a strong dominant personality. Deciding how strongly or mildly your horse expresses his personality traits can help you figure out to which of the 16 personality profiles he belongs.

Okay, enough explanation. Here are my boys.

Sydney, The Accountant (DLAF)

Picturewww.horsepersonality.com
The thing that rang most true about this personality type is that "they like life to be predictable, not exciting." No offense to the accountants out there. The author says, "they are also honest and straightforward and expect you to be as well." Boy is that the truth! She also goes on to add, "Work with their Friendly, keep them on your side, keep them safe. Keep away from their negative side, which can be sulky and passively resistant. They want to be your good solid worker - honor them and they will be."

Another thing that really rings true for Sydney is this: "These horses are not outgoing in their friendly attitude. So if something is amiss in the relationship or if they feel afraid too many times, they will shut down their Friendly; they will appear tuned out and disinterested." This is EXACTLY how Sydney was when I first bought him. He wasn't mean, but there was no love bug in him. 

While he cuddles and snuggles me now, it has only been in the past few weeks that he has shown any interest in my trainer at all. Each time I have a gigantic AHA!, he gets more and more loving and friendly. That Friendly is now starting to show itself more publicly. I think he is finally starting to feel as though his little world is becoming orderly and consistent. He appreciates that I am now following "the rules" and have "my books in order."

The author also states, "They are happy to work in the back room as long as you appreciate them. […] This horse can be your steady, reliable partner." That's exactly what I am aiming for!

I'll share Speedy G's "horoscope" tomorrow!

Leave me your horse's four letters in a comment, and I'll give you his personality type. :0)

Tracy link
6/8/2014 11:12:27 pm

Hahaha, I love it! Next time I need some fun, I will have to remember to pick up this book!

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/9/2014 07:57:58 am

It is a fun read, Tracy, especially if you can "profile" more than one horse with it. :0)

Mia link
6/8/2014 11:31:29 pm

I think Ava's DLCF. Usually. She occassionally allows me to feel in charge. Haha

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/9/2014 08:01:13 am

DLCF - Reluctant Rock Star: "The Reluctant Rock Stars are happy to perform. They have to be managed and motivated to get there. The entourage will probably have to put up with a quite a lot of resistance along the way." That very much sounds like Ava. :0)

Mia link
6/9/2014 10:52:09 pm

Ha! Spot on for Ava. :)

Laura link
6/9/2014 12:03:35 am

Sounds like an interesting read. I think Be B is SEAF.

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/9/2014 08:03:57 am

SEAF - The People Pleaser: "SEAFs have a million questions and they over-analyze everything. Never give them your cell phone - they will be calling every ten minutes! They are touchy, cuddly, expressive, cute, lovable, and smart. They try so hard but worry very much."

Does this sound like Be B? :0)

Laura link
6/11/2014 01:42:17 pm

Wow, it really really does sound just like her. Thank you!

Lauren link
6/9/2014 12:05:26 am

I would think Simon is an SECF!

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/9/2014 08:08:35 am

Speedy is almost an SECF, too.

SECF - The Goddess: "Most SECFs do not change hands often as they work their way into your heart and stay. You should feel honored to be one of their subjects. They are loved and appreciated everywhere. They are emotional and sensitive and yet still confident. Everything about their demeanor denotes expression - they are talkative, have expressive eyes and ears, active movement, love to touch you, love to show off, act sassy but never in a dominant way, just enough to endear them to you more."

Is this Simon? :0)

Lauren link
6/10/2014 02:07:42 am

It is to me :)

Wendy
6/9/2014 04:51:46 am

SEAF

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/9/2014 08:09:50 am

Another SEAF! Does this sound right?

SEAF - The People Pleaser: "SEAFs have a million questions and they over-analyze everything. Never give them your cell phone - they will be calling every ten minutes! They are touchy, cuddly, expressive, cute, lovable, and smart. They try so hard but worry very much."

Amanda link
6/9/2014 11:05:19 am

Interesting. Sydney sounds very similar to Loki except I don't think Loki is dominant. I love these kinds of reads!

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/10/2014 06:16:42 am

Is Loki an SLAF? If so …

SLAF - The Wall Flower: They are sweet and soft, insecure and sensitive, quiet and tentative, loved to be touched and love to please you. […] Not a lot of ego needing to be satisfied here. […] Most SFs have a strong desire to please you, but this personality does not have the energy and outward expression of the other ones. It is sometimes hard to know how they are feeling. They have the Afraid trait in them, but it runs so silently and they are so quiet that it is deceiving. […] They look to you for safety and security."

Sound more like Loki? :0)

Lori
6/9/2014 09:46:53 pm

It says Remey is a Goddess, and that is so her!! lol

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/10/2014 06:11:44 am

Speedy is borderline Goddess, but I think his sassy attitude bumps him into the Rock Star category instead. :0)

SECF - The Goddess: "Most SECFs do not change hands often as they work their way into your heart and stay. You should feel honored to be one of their subjects. They are loved and appreciated everywhere. They are emotional and sensitive and yet still confident. Everything about their demeanor denotes expression - they are talkative, have expressive eyes and ears, active movement, love to touch you, love to show off, act sassy but never in a dominant way, just enough to endear them to you more."

Austen link
6/9/2014 10:31:02 pm

Okay, so this comment has absolutely nothing to do with this post. However, reading this article immediately made me think of you and laugh a lot (racing references and everything!). Hope you're enjoying your little bit of summer break, and I hope next year is a little less stressful! :)
http://smithdeville.com/2014/06/06/my-wife-is-a-lazy-liar/

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/9/2014 10:55:22 pm

That was HILARIOUS!!!!! Thank you for sharing it. There are definitely perks to teaching (summer), but it can also be a hard job. I REALLY have a 7:00 p.m. meeting tonight - no kidding!!!!!

Erica
6/10/2014 02:42:42 am

Liza is DLCA and Farrah is DECF

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/10/2014 06:09:58 am

DLCA - The Prize Fighter: "The Prize Fighter has a big ego, likes being in the ring, and wants to come out the winner. Problems arise if he sees you as his opponent instead of his coach. They enjoy the fight; it encourages their curiosity. […] They have opinions, and they are strong-minded about asserting their will. Most Curious horses are fun and like a lot of variety, but when it comes mixed with Dominant or Lazy. they will challenge you to keep them entertained. They make a lot of their own rules." Sound like Liza?

DECF - The Rock Star: They the cool confidence to pull off feats that would leave most horses quaking in their horseshoes. […] Once they walk into the ring, the world is theirs." Read more here: http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/home---karens-blog/rock-star-or-goddess

Speedy's a Rock Star, too. :0)

Erica
6/10/2014 11:03:14 am

Those definitely sound like my girls. Especially Liza. If you're not on top of your stuff and "coaching" her, she takes care of things her way...for some people it has meant quite the ride. She didn't have to do much to earn the nickname "Diva."

And Farrah looooooves her people constantly doting on her (if she could hold a martini glass she would!). As for her energy and curiosity, the majority of her spooks involve her sucking back at first then making her way towards the spooky thing to investigate.

This was a fun read! Thanks!

Bakersfield Dressage link
6/10/2014 06:09:24 am

DLCA - The Prize Fighter: "The Prize Fighter has a big ego, likes being in the ring, and wants to come out the winner. Problems arise if he sees you as his opponent instead of his coach. They enjoy the fight; it encourages their curiosity. […] They have opinions, and they are strong-minded about asserting their will. Most Curious horses are fun and like a lot of variety, but when it comes mixed with Dominant or Lazy. they will challenge you to keep them entertained. They make a lot of their own rules." Sound like Liza?

DECF - The Rock Star: They the cool confidence to pull off feats that would leave most horses quaking in their horseshoes. […] Once they walk into the ring, the world is theirs." Read more here: http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/home---karens-blog/rock-star-or-goddess

Speedy's a Rock Star, too. :0)

Micaylah link
5/17/2016 08:30:40 am

This was spot on with my horses


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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