ith

There are so many reasons why horses develop and display behavioral problems. This topic is so broad and because of this I will only be able to mention a few. When we think about what we are asking from our horses for us to be able to share a wonderful rewarding relationship with them, to our horse's it's a lot! Let's never forget how much that truly is and remember to show our horse's compassion and understanding, which makes it easier for them to cope.

We believe we understand our horses physically, its conformation for us to know the horse's abilities and what they are capable of but do we understand our horse's emotions? We believe we understand our horses mentally which enables us to train them, but do we understand our horses spiritually? When we are really honest with ourselves, we aren't our horses and if our horses where able to tell us how they feel about us and what we ask from them, what do you think they would say?

If we understand our horses and how they feel about what we ask and expect from them, then why is it we see so many unhappy horses out there? Is it because we are unhappy people on our horses? Or has the horse been abused, misunderstood and lost trust and faith in humans? Or is it both. Or is it other reasons?

I believe when a horse display's behavioral problems with what we are asking of them, it is simply not coping or does not understand and is trying to tell us through its body language. The reasons why the horse is not coping are many, as they are all very different individuals and they all have had different past experiences with owners, riders, trainers etc. The way humans have interacted with our horses will have a lot to do with there behavior and attitude towards us and the work we ask from them, it also depends on the approach we have towards our horse's when we are riding and training them.

When a horse is not coping or does not understand what we want from them, it will react through, shying, bucking, pig rooting etc, to avoid the discomfort and confusion. We need to be very careful on the approach we choose to handle the horse's behavioral problems as they arise as this can lead to more problems. Firstly we need to offer our horse's compassion and empathy. Try to understand what is wrong, is it the environment the horse is unsure or frightened of? Does our horse need our reassurance, is it frightened and confused? Is it insecure? Is it our mixed aids confusing our horses? It is our attitude towards our horses that are not giving our horses a good experience with us? Do our horses feel safe and protected by the rider; maybe the horse and rider haven't built enough trust in each other yet? Is our horse's muscles sore or are they physically in pain do they have an injury that we are unaware of? Does our equipment fit our horses correctly e.g.: saddle, bridle etc? These may be some of the reasons why your horses are displaying behavioral problems.
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Happy horsing - Kylie Dearden

This page last modified on Sunday, March 21, 2010