On Punishment
Punishment -- 1. a penalty imposed, as far transgression, of law. 2. any ill suffered in consequences of wrongdoing. (Funk & Wagnalls, Second Edition, 1993)
Punishment -- 1. A penalty imposed for wrongdoing: "The severity of the punishment must... be in keeping with the kind of obligation which has been violated" (Simone Weil). 2. Rough handling; mistreatment: These old skis have taken a lot of punishment over the years. ( The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition,2000)
\Pun"ish*ment\, n. Severe, rough, or disastrous treatment. [Colloq. or Slang] (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.)
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There are several good points to the definitions in order to keep our perspective on "punishment" in check. The one that stands out the most to me is: "The severity of the punshiment must be in keeping with the kind of obligation which has been violated." and the other is: "Severe, rough, or disastrous treatment."
However, the other definitions hold merit, too.
When working with/around horses it is imperative to keep things in balance between equine perspective and human perspective. Because of the prey/predator differences, our ways of thinking are very much different in some ways. The act of banishment from the herd is, in the equine eyes, the most severe form of punishment as it certainly leads to death. Much as the old banishments and stonings from the villages from some perceived transgression.
Because humans are all individuals with personalized histories, backgrounds, up-bringings, etc. each one of us will have a unique view of just what punishment is. To some it may be going to bed without supper; to others it may be a beating with the buckle end of a belt or worse. It depends ...
The INTENT of with which the "punishment" is metered is the "line" which one must follow. If a horse comes into us when we've asked it to remain out, that is a transgression of the request. Do we "punish" with severe, harsh banishment or do we use pressure to tell the horse no, I want you OUT! in the least amount as we can? That pressure can also be perceived as "punishment". Or ... it can be seen as "correction". If a horse turns its backside to us with an intent to kick do we slam a 2 X 4 across him to "punish" him or do we realize that, for whatever reason, we've lost the title of leader and that horse is letting us know HE'S in charge now and proceed to correct OUR misrepresentations to the horse?
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