Inside look at how the horse sees his world.

First off horse’s aren’t humans. Too many people humanize the horse to make it look as if it understands English so we better relate to them. That couldn’t be more incorrect. Horses are animals and at any point can revert to instinct and cause harm to us we don’t emphasize on that enough. That being said, they are flight animals and if they can’t escape they will fight. “Run now, look later” has kept them alive for hundreds of years but it was our bright idea to change that. They are “designed” to graze all day and move constantly. But again we decided that’s not convenient for us so we feed them twice a day, the same times everyday then wonder why they colic or have ulcers. We work them for 1-2 hours a day most of the time to a sweat, walk them out to cool off then they stand in stalls 22 hours until you arrive again and we wonder why they have arthritis. The horse is a well oiled machine it does best with ample room, constant forage and companions. Humans like routine and convenience. Horses are opposite in more ways than one.

Horses don’t have depth perception, they don’t need it to survive only hunters need depth to survive. This makes the horse spooky and weary of shades that differ on the ground. They want to be part of a herd and you are considered their herd. It’s up to you to establish where your place is in there world. Just because you bought this animal does not mean he doesn’t think he owns you. The farther you get from thinking like a human and closer you get to understanding the horse, the closer your bond will be.

If you’re horse is stalled let him out as much as you can. Not only to be worked but to go for walks, explore, graze, find their itchy spot, let them cruise around and you walk with them to keep them safe but to understand it’s a partnership he can sometimes wonder at the end of the lead and show you places he’s interested in or grass he thinks needs to be tasted. These simple acts will mean so much to him. Just make sure he’s respectful not dragging you around.

Step back, think about what makes him happy not what makes you happy. That’s the first step to partnership. He does his best to try to make you happy. They deserve the same from us in return.