Emotions: The Silent Partner in Horse Training

Emotions: The Silent Partner in Horse Training

Emotions are an inseparable part of our lives, but when stepping into the world of horses, it’s crucial to remember the importance of managing them. Controlling emotions doesn’t mean suppressing them—this is almost impossible and can have unfavorable consequences for us. Besides, why would we want to rid ourselves of emotions when being around horses? It’s often these very feelings that draw us into their world in the first place.

Emotions can be both our ally and adversary in training. Horses are incredibly adept at reading human emotions and can even interpret our facial expressions!

In 2018, a study conducted by the University of Sussex and the University of Portsmouth revealed that horses understand and remember human emotions. Professor Karen McComb from the University of Sussex noted in a press release that horses not only read human facial expressions but also remember a person’s last emotional state when they meet again later that day—and they adjust their behavior accordingly.

This really makes you think, doesn’t it? When we rush into the stable, stressed and frustrated because we’re late, horses don’t understand that these emotions might be related to traffic jams. They pick up on our emotional state and react to it, leaving us puzzled as to why our horse seems tense and anxious today. It’s definitely not because they’re trying to spite us!

One of the challenging aspects of managing emotions is recognizing them in the first place. We often don’t realize a certain emotion is building up within us, or we’re not entirely sure how to name it. So how could we possibly manage it? When everything is going well and we’re having a “good horse day,” controlling emotions is much easier than in difficult moments. So if you feel frustration, irritation, impatience, disappointment, anger, or a need to prove something to yourself or others starting to build up, take a break from training. Try using calming techniques you know (like deep breathing) and return to your session when you’re ready.

But how do emotions and their control relate to corrections made during horse training? This is where the real challenge begins!

Corrections: A Delicate Balance

A correction is something we aim to improve or change in training. What can we correct?

– Misunderstanding of cues or aids and responding in a way that the rider didn’t intend.

It might be that the person who previously worked with the horse didn’t have well-developed awareness, sensitivity, timing, or precision, leading the horse to associate certain behaviors with signals that were meant to indicate something else entirely.

– Behaviors that could be dangerous to humans, the horse, or their surroundings.

Safety is the most important aspect of horse riding, and sometimes it’s necessary to correct behaviors that pose a risk, such as bolting, kicking, rearing, bucking, biting… these and many other behaviors are often responses to human actions, and if repeated frequently, can become dangerous habits! This also includes unsafe behaviors around loading onto trailers or using a wash stall.

99.9% of undesirable horse behaviors that we end up correcting are the result of… human errors. Rushing, lack of time, poor patience, inflated ego, emotional instability, limited experience, low self-confidence, excessive self-confidence, training without building a connection with the horse, failure to meet the horse’s natural needs (like herd companionship, space, constant access to food and water), pain, discomfort (from injury, ulcers, or ill-fitting equipment), ignoring the horse’s signals… and the list goes on.

Given this, how can we blame the horse for these behaviors? There are no “mean” or “malicious” horses—only misunderstood ones. So when you’re applying corrections to unwanted behaviors, don’t get angry at the horse—it’s not their fault!

We might sometimes feel anger or resentment towards the person who caused these behaviors. In this case, it’s helpful to switch to a “here and now” mindset, focusing on helping the animal. Human issues should be discussed outside the arena. Each of us was once at a point in our equestrian journey where we weren’t aware of certain things, and the most important qualities are humility and the desire to develop ourselves first, and then the horse.

Horses, fortunately, forgive human mistakes—but they don’t forget them.

So if someone asks for your help with a horse that isn’t behaving well, try to approach the situation with a clear mind, focused on the present, and concentrate on the well-being of the animal. Aim to find the root cause of the behavior and work on that, rather than just addressing the symptoms. If something isn’t going right, smile—your body will relax. Adrenaline tightens our muscles, makes us clench our teeth, speeds up our heart rate, and narrows our vision—classic predator behavior, right?

If you’re correcting your own mistakes, don’t be too hard on yourself. Each situation is a new learning experience. Try to view equestrianism as a fascinating adventure and an opportunity for growth. The earlier you can recognize your emotions, the sooner you’ll be able to react and calm down.

Your horse will definitely appreciate it 🙂

Ola Najman

fot. Cecylia Łęszczak