Horses are herd animals and stick together, so it's no surprise when I read both of these Discovery channel articles that it's been shown that firstly horses remember people even after long periods away from each other and second that horse and rider enter a state of 'co-being'. Both very interesting and I'm sure as horse riders you'd would say "we already knew that" but now we have the science to prove it!
You can read the full articles here - Never forget human friends and State of co-being
A study done by Ethologist Sankey of the University of Rennes did a 41 step programme on basic grooming and medical care and how well the horses responded to a female trainer when performing the task and being rewarded with a treat. Those horses licked and sniffed which are signs that a horse is comfortable and affectionate.
Horses responded more positively that had been given a food reward and treated well than horses who had done the tasks but we not rewarded. Those without a reward responded 4 to 6 times more with negative behaviour such as biting and kicking out.
So it pays to be nice to your horse!
Don't get me wrong, I can be guilty of being short tempered and exasperated with Millie and B. For example when trying to catch Millie on Sunday she was eating a yummy patch of grass she was not prepared to give up so she started walking away from me. When I tried to dodge her and catch up she'd whip round and away from me in walk. It annoyed me no end so I threw the head collar at her and told Georgie to attempt to catch her. After she buggered off for a minute she stood still and let Georgie catch her. Bloody typical! I was not best pleased.
I am a bit of a strict one myself and like good behaviour and get annoyed or cross with bad manners, pushy-ness etc so I need to remember to step back and remember that horses remember what I do with them, so I must be nice aye!
Lankey shows that horses remember verbal commands often time better than dogs do. It's extremely important to not just use physical aids but also vocal aids.
Remember to tell your horse he's a good boy/she's a good girl when doing something good, or when they are doing something they don't like or are frightened of, that they're behaving how you'd like them to. That will reward them and they'll remember that.
Often when horses don't want to jump something that scares them such as a ditch or going into water we must verbally tell them they've done well while they're leading up the that obstacle and after they've completed it, to overcome that fear to carry out the physical command asked of them is a big deal. Horses are flight animals after all so for them to willingly obey that command, even doing something that terrifies them is a really big deal.
Which links in nicely to my next point. -
Horse and rider who regularly spend time together and ride together form a sort of co-being it has been found by a study recently published by The journal Social Anthropology. Now I am sure those of you who ride the same horse day in day out will already know this and feel that bond. You move together, he knows when you're going to do something, and that your horse picks up on the most subtle of movements, signals or cues you give off whether consciously or subconsciously.
As I wrote just above about a horse doing something despite it frightening them, well -
Anita Maurstad of the University of Tromso's Department of Cultural Sciences "The rider is often in charge, expressing, through body kinetics, what he or she wants the horse to do, but unless the rider attunes to the horse's body and mind, the horse will not understand, and unless the horse attunes to the rider, the horse will not manage to perform the requirements of the rider."
The Co-Existing bond in action. B follows, turns and stops just by following Georgie
Pretty spot on right? They go on to say that horses pick up on the smallest of movements so that is why it's so important to move gently while on the horse, and be soft with your hands, legs and seat. My mother always used to say my pony Icy could pick up on when I was nervous before an event and I never really believed her. It wasn't until I was older and understood that when being nervous your body doesn't just respond to that adrenalin in your brain but also physically in your body. Your muscles tense up, your heart beats faster etc and all of those things your horse can feel and it makes them nervous too.
Lot's of deep breathes, it will help relax you...
Dona Davis of the University of South Dakota’s Department of Anthropology and Sociology also talks about how we speak to our horses and the tone we use - "The term "motherese" is used to refer to the way many humans talk to their horses, It is not 'baby talk,' but a controlled and calming tone of voice. People use this language tone so as not to excite the horse. I see it as a kind of verbal stroking."
True right? We use that certain tone to help calm a horse but also reassure it. It's extremely important to talk to and around a horse calmly. Not only do they pick up on your vibes mentioned above, they pick up on how to speak as well.
No shouting at or around a horse unless you have to right!
With all that information, what shall we as equestrians do going forward. Well, treat your horse how you'd like to be treated and they'll reciprocate that to you. Talk to them calmly and nicely, reward them and make a fuss of them when they do something you wanted them to do. The psychological term is operant conditioning aka instrumental learning which is a method of learning that occurs through reinforcements and punishments for behavior. It encourages the animal to associate desirable or undesirable outcomes with certain behaviors." That way they'll learn that is how you want them to behave.
Spend quality time with them to create that strong bond. Groom them often and they'll groom you back, and spend time with them in the field like they would if they were in a pack and they'll start to see them as their herd leader.
I hope you found this advice and the articles helpful. Now go and hug your horse!
Sophie x
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