Is High-Energy Work Suitable for Every Horse?
Is High-Energy Work Suitable for Every Horse?
This is a fascinating topic that was brought to my attention by someone on Instagram, and I think it’s worth exploring in greater detail. The subject of energy and its impact on horses is complex, but I hope to shed some light on it in this post and share my perspective with you.
What Is Your Horse’s Preferred Energy Level?
For horses, one of the most important things in life, alongside having a herd, is peace and a sense of security. To me, there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing horses sleeping peacefully in a field. It’s a sign of deep security. The more balanced the herd, the more experienced and calm the horses, which creates harmony in the pasture. A well-balanced herd can significantly calm a horse with behavioral or emotional issues.
However, we as humans… we enjoy the sight of collected horses displaying their potential in front of others. We are impressed by galloping herds, playful young horses, or the amusing leaps of foals. Such behaviors in the herd are brief and infrequent. Those who love capturing these moments in photos know how challenging it can be to be in the right place at the right time to get that perfect shot of an energetic interaction between horses.
Additionally, horses have an energy-saving mode. They don’t see the point in exerting extra effort when energy reserves might be needed for emergencies or escaping danger. There’s also a reason they cut corners or avoid full circles—not always because of physical limitations. Sometimes, it’s simply an economical use of movement. I often smile when walking through the city and notice how people have worn paths across lawns, especially at 90-degree turns, like approaching a crosswalk or entering a perpendicular street. Have you noticed that? People find ways to save just a few steps by taking the shortest route. Could this have a similar root as horses cutting corners in the arena? Perhaps we’re not so different from the animal world after all.
High-Energy Horses: Do They Really Love It?
We all know horses that have a high drive for movement. They are impulsive and full of expression, moving with a tense, extended trot, tails and heads held high. Does a horse that easily transitions to higher gaits or gets excited at the sight of jumps love high energy? Does it behave the same way when it’s in the field with other horses? Probably not. Could this behavior be related to the horse’s trust in its human handler? Perhaps it’s influenced by how the horse understands our aids and the effect we have on its energy levels.
The Energy of the Rider
Each of us has a different energy level. Some are more economical in their movements, while others radiate strong energy. The key to developing your riding journey is learning to recognize and control your own energy levels first, and then influence your horse’s energy. Those who are naturally calm learn to be more assertive and raise their energy in appropriate moments, while those with higher energy levels often spend a lot of time learning to relax and apply aids more gently.
Although horses can desensitize to our energy to some extent, it’s beneficial to develop in this area to make communication subtle yet effective. Horses feel more relaxed and become calmer and more predictable when they are around someone with low energy. This signals to them that we aren’t displaying predatory behaviors, which helps keep their adrenaline levels down. Horses often experience a slight sense of unease in the presence of humans, making it hard for them to fully relax. We place significant pressure and demands on these animals, and when adrenaline is added during training or handling, achieving true relaxation can be very challenging.
Do Horses Truly Enjoy High-Energy Activities?
Some riders prefer horses that are quick, energetic, and always „in front of the leg,” able to give their all during a trail ride or training session. But is that really their favorite activity of the day? If you look closely, you might notice that some of these horses, instead of cantering, try to escape from under the rider. They might be in a heightened state of alertness during lunging or riding sessions, operating in a survival mode. Engaged movement should stem from an understanding of the aids and proper communication, with trust and relaxation as the foundation. If anxiety is the base, driving the horse to move faster, it will show in the quality of the horse’s movement.
How Does High Energy Relate to Corrections?
There are situations where a correction is necessary, and sometimes it happens at a high energy level. Occasionally, things escalate too far, and we notice behavior that needs attention too late. The earlier we recognize the signs and start changing behavior patterns, the gentler the correction can be. However, if an energetic correction is needed, it should be done with sensitivity and kept brief. Most importantly, it should not be attempted by amateurs. If your horse’s behavior requires more energy than you feel capable of handling, it’s better to seek help from a professional trainer rather than risk getting into deeper trouble. High energy during a poorly executed correction can result in a dangerous situation or further exacerbate the problem.
High-Energy Corrections: A Double-Edged Sword
Corrections performed with high energy can often yield quick results, but this approach can have long-term consequences on the horse’s trust. It’s possible to quickly dominate a horse by, for example, energetically disengaging the hindquarters, often with a decisive slap of the stick on the horse’s hindquarters for good measure. Horses with more sensitive temperaments may submit more easily, but the majority, once their sympathetic nervous system is triggered and they realize they can’t escape, will resort to defensive behaviors. They might kick, rear, or bolt. Moreover, if such exercises are done on a cold horse, don’t expect a positive reaction. Less is more, and taking small, deliberate steps while diligently addressing issues as they arise will help build a strong foundation for further training. Introduce exercises to your horse in a way that they find enjoyable, so that „solving the puzzle” leads to increased comfort rather than discomfort. But this requires patience and avoiding rigid timelines. Every horse develops differently, and just because one horse easily mastered something doesn’t mean another should progress as quickly at that stage.
When Is High Energy Appropriate?
This doesn’t mean we should only train horses at the walk. A well-prepared horse that’s worked properly at the walk will handle the challenges of the trot much better. Personally, I’m a big fan of exercises, especially biomechanical ones, at the walk. If we struggle with something at the walk, the problem will only become more apparent at higher gaits. With some horses, I sometimes raise the energy level, for example, to the trot, to help them focus on the task, and then we return to a lower energy level. It all depends on the horse we’re working with and the stage of training they’re at.
But when is the best time to introduce high energy? Only when the horse is physically and mentally ready for it. When their balance can handle a faster pace, and the communication, understanding of the task, and trust in the rider are solid enough not to break the connection.
Riders often use high energy as a form of punishment. While certain situations may require an increase in energy to, for example, regain the horse’s focus, it’s not a cure-all for every problem. You might find yourself in a vicious cycle where working with high energy or using high-energy corrections, especially if done frequently and habitually, can lead to a loss of connection and trust from the horse. This, in turn, results in poor behavior or unsatisfactory training outcomes. You may develop a habit of correcting the horse’s behavior with high energy, which might lose its effectiveness or lead to negative anticipation from the horse.
How to Recognize Proper High-Energy Work?
A horse that is working correctly at high energy is relaxed during the activity. This can be seen in their body language, facial expression, movement, and muscle work.
In my opinion, it’s worth taking the time to focus on the basics to enjoy the results of a training process that is friendly to the horse’s mental and physical development.
Ola Najman
fot. Cecylia Łęszczak
