Some Useful Tips On Horse Behavior
Horse behavior is one of the key things that many people don’t seem to know, or even care about. Your horse will tell you everything you need to know about how you’re doing as a groomer, an owner, a rider, a trainer, and a friend. If you know what to listen for, or should I say look for, you could be well on your way to creating a much better relationship. We should start with the two basic instinctual aspects of horse behavior, the first being the fact that they are social animals.
Horses can and do thrive in the singular sense, if they are not given the opportunity to herd together in pasture. In cases of the single horse, behavior leaning toward his social needs will show in a different way. The singular horse is more apt to befriend the family dog, or to stand at the gate and sway back and forth at the sight of a human, because you are his herd. This is why some of the wilder, less obedient horses become more calm and focused for training when confined away from their fellow equines. With nobody to show off for, and nothing to look forward to back at the pasture, these horses can’t wait for some interaction with you.
The second key aspect of horse behavior is their strong flight instinct. Horses are in constant migration in the wild, searching for greener pastures and plentiful sources of water. They are natural prey for many mountain and forest predators, and their first defense against attack is their speed and agility. Though they can kill quite easily, horses would rather not risk mortal wounds or being taken down. It takes them too long to stand back up, and this spells almost certain death.
A common mistake, and an innocent one, is to allow your horse to infringe on your personal space. You love him, he knows it, so you have become a rubbing post or a walking bumper car. The problem with this is, of course, your safety. He is an animal who is capable of seriously injuring you, whether he knows it or not. You must impose a protective barrier between you and your horse, one that he is not allowed to infringe upon. To do this, use the same pressure techniques that you use for all of your dealings with him. If he becomes indignant or aggressively stubborn about it, a sudden, loud yell will let him know that you are serious. Physical punishment is never recommended, but you should be able to startle him into submission.