Sometimes the toughest question trainers, instructors, and equestrians of all levels of experience may face is how to approach interacting with an unfamiliar horse. In a word, the answer is “Courtship.” Have you ever courted a cat? it’s usually done by, in one’s very sweetest voice, repeating several times, “Here Kitty, here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty.” […]
There are many times we wished we knew more about a horse before we made the purchase or mounted his back. During those moments we wonder if there were missed warning signs or whether the horse’s owner failed to disclose some important information. Examples of those difficult moments include: When we are out on the […]
Have you ever watched a horse show and the unspeakably beautiful horse who just entered the arena appears to be lame? Everyone, including the judges, sits in silence as the lovely creature bravely soldiers on, doing his best to please his rider. Sometimes he even wins a ribbon! But no one comments on the real […]
Like the elephant in the living room, there is an ever-present but unspoken subject that affects every horse-person: Where is the boundary between right and wrong in our relationship to horses. About five thousand years ago mankind embarked upon a journey that continues to the present: the domestication of horses. By domestication, I mean, a […]
In our quest to keep our horses relaxed, focused, and confident, we must understand involuntary reflexes and distinguish them from voluntary actions. Although involuntary reflexes are essential to horses’ survival, they certainly impact equestrians as well. Some equine involuntary reflexes keep us safe as we ride our horses. Other involuntary reflexes, such as spooking and […]
Whether on the race-track, in the arena, or trekking cross-country, the search for excellence in equitation has been going on for thousands of years. It is no easy task to balance the interests of two different species. Fortunately, scientific research has provided the horse community with in-depth studies to make the task easier. Recently, […]
One rainy day several years ago, Finnish equine photographer and journalist, Anni Lehto; my husband Jay; and I were observing a family of mustangs meandering down the hills north east of Virginia City, Nevada, onto an elementary school parking lot.There were two pregnant bay mares; two foals, one a strawberry roan, the other a bay; a […]
The brains of all mammals, horses and humans alike, contain three circuits, the pleasure circuit, the punishment circuit, and the behavioral inhibition circuit. All horse training involves activating one of these circuits. The pleasure circuit, is set in motion when an animal is rewarded for a certain behavior, this causes the animal to want […]
Horses living in the herd environment in the wild or in the pasture learn good manners and the social boundaries of the herd. Horses’ social hierarchy is very specific. Horses will often be aggressive to establish or maintain social hierarchy status. The higher status horses have greater access to food. In a mixed herd a […]
Most animals spent their lives in herds, packs, flocks, and prides. Horses rely on their mothers and their herds to provide a safe, trust-worthy environment where they can learn behavior regulation, communication skills, exercise their intellect and their bodies, and learn how to live in a social structure, When separated from their parents horses suffer […]
Many scientists believe there is a correlation between brain weight and intelligence. The adult human brain weighs from two and a half to three pounds. A cat’s brain weighs about a third of a pound. Dog brains weigh about three-fourths of a pound. The brain of the horse is the size of a human child’s […]
Horses experience each moment as a collection of perceptions and emotions. They remember these moments as a series of mental images. The images are full of sight, sound, tactile feelings and emotions. If the image includes positive emotions, the horse will want to repeat the image. If the picture represents unpleasant emotions, the horse will […]
A fall from a moving horse can leave emotional scars long after the bruises and bones have healed. It is those scars that most riders dutifully hide while hoping for no further episodes. Unfortunately, the very act of hiding emotional scars can lead to new ones. When accidents occur, honest reflection on the events […]
Like humans, horse temperaments can fluctuate between curious, brave, timid, and easily frightened. As horse owners, it is our responsibility to help our horses tackle new experiences with confidence. A dear friend’s horse was the obvious high-point winner at a well-recognized dressage event until the horse spooked when a spectator opened her parasol. Another […]
Both are always exciting, a fresh horse and a fresh start. Sometimes it’s a brand new horse. Learning how to communicate with each other and become new best friends can be a little intimidating. Sometimes, it is a horse you know well but the relationship has been less than friendly and you would like to […]
Indiscriminately offering treats can transform a lovely horse into a beggar, mugger, and biter; and the horse owner into a candy dispenser. This article will teach you how to use treats in a way that will improve rather than harm your horse-human relationship. I will use some technical terms in this article, so be […]
We all have a circle of trust; that invisible circle that contains our loved ones, those we can depend upon through good times and bad times. Sometimes, the only person in our circle of trust is ourselves. Horses, also, have a circle of trust. At birth, the circle of trust contains two individuals, foal and […]