The Pyramid of Okayness

This is one of those things that applies to all horses – any breed or discipline. This is the idea that there are different levels of “okayness” for horses. I like the word “okayness”, but you could substitute the words “confidence”, “sureness”, “security” or “comfortableness” for it if you wanted to.

So every horse gets their okayness from somewhere, and there are better places for him to get his okayness from (in general, depending on what we want to be able to do with our horse) and worse places for him to get it from. I think of this hierarchy as a pyramid, with the least desirable (or useable/practical) source of okayness on the bottom of the pyramid, and the most desirable source of okayness on the top of the pyramid.

Here’s how the pyramid works (generally speaking):

On the bottom of the Pyramid of Okayness is ENVIRONMENT. At this level, the horse gets his okayness, his confidence, if you will, from his environment, usually his home, and maybe even his specific stall or pen. This horse is good, and comfortable, and behaves and works well as long as he’s in his most familiar environment. This horse, if we change his environment, he comes apart. For most horse folks, this is the least practical level of the Pyramid for the horse to be on, because they like to go do things with their horses. This horse might be called “barn sour” too.

The next level up the Pyramid of Okayness is OTHER HORSES. At this level, the horse gets his okayness from being with other horses. For some horses, they may want to be with a specific horse, but others might latch on to any strange horse, given the opportunity. This horse might be able to leave his environment okay, as long as he has other horses around him to give him okayness. This horse might be called “herd bound” or “buddy sour”.

On the next level up the Pyramid of Okayness is PEOPLE. Here, on this level, the horse gets his okayness from people. Sometimes a horse might only get okayness from a single person, and we might call that horse a “one person horse”. Other horses will get their okayness from any person who offers them support, attention or guidance. Obviously, as we go up the levels here, the horse is getting more and more functional from a practical standpoint.

At the very top of the Pyramid of Okayness, up there in the point, is THE HORSE HIMSELF. This is where, because of a lot of things (like good training, lots of experience, etc), a horse can get his okayness from himself. When he gets here, he’s not dependent on his environment, other horses, or even people for his okayness. Those of us who have met these horses know what a rare treasure they are, and what a testament they are to the people who helped get them there.

It is important, at any given time, to recognize where a horse is on this Pyramid. Horses usually arrive at the top of the Pyramid having spend some kind of time at the other levels of the Pyramid. I’m always looking for ways of working with horses that help me address the levels of the Pyramid in better and better ways.

And the big thing is, a horse is where he is, on the Pyramid, if you see what I mean. Every horse is somewhere on the Pyramid, and it behooves us to know where, so our expectations can be realistic, and we don’t end up with unwanted surprises or frustrations.

The way we work with horses, I think, should help progress them up the Pyramid.