Horses Aren’t Magic

Five scientific reasons working with horses is therapeutic and educational
Many people ascribe magical qualities to horses in an attempt to explain why working with them can be so powerfully educational and therapeutic, while many others have little understanding of the emerging field of equine-assisted learning. We have found that the benefits of working with horses can be explained by understanding five evolutionary adaptations horses display when interacting with each other and with humans. Read on to learn about these adaptations and the general ways they apply to equine-assisted activities.

ONE: The Survival Perspective

A horse’s primary concern at any moment is survival. As prey animals, even domesticated horses are a single environmental misread away from being dinner. Every decision they make, and thus every behavior we see, is based on what will help them live to see the next moment.

Application to horse handling Understanding this helps people reframe and depersonalize a horse’s behaviors and puts the power of how to react back into the hands of the client. We cannot control how a horse behaves, but we can control how we interpret, make meaning of, and respond to those behaviors.

Application to human relationships By considering that choices made by other people are based on those people’s experiences, needs, and emotions, it’s easier for clients to make better choices about how to respond. We challenge our clients to examine how their choices may be serving their own (often previously effective but no longer necessary) survival needs and make changes if appropriate. 

TWO: Emotional contagion

As members of a herd, horses depend on each other to stay alive. When one horse senses danger nearby and experiences the emotional and physiological preparations for taking action to survive, all the horses in the herd do the same. The emotional state of one horse is, in essence, the emotional state of the entire herd.

Application to horse handling Together, horses and people form herds when they work together. A horse will adopt the emotional state of the person it is interacting with. Understanding this helps people examine their own role in how an interaction with their horse is going, and empowers them to effect change. 

Application to human relationships We help our clients identify how they feel their emotions in their bodies and how their emotions impact themselves and their relationships. Clients learn that they can change the nature of their interactions with other people by regulating their own emotions and energy. Learning to do so can help those around them feel calmer, which can facilitate better
communication and healthier relationships.

THREE: constant reassessment

Prey animals must constantly scan their environment for threats to their survival using all their senses. 

Application to horse handling When interacting with a person, a horse is continually assessing whether doing what the person is asking is in its’ best interests. If the person lacks confidence or focus, and the horse refuses to cooperate, the person has an immediate opportunity to try something different. At the same time, if a confident leader becomes distracted, their horse will quickly determine they are unfit to make decisions and will stop cooperating. Understanding this encourages clients to be completely present with their horse and empowers them to take full responsibility for the successes and challenges within the relationship. 

Application to human relationships Being truly present for others can be difficult, but it is essential in the formation and maintenance of healthy relationships. Clients are empowered to take full responsibility for their own lives.

FOUR: Nonpredatory leadership

The herds in which horses have thrived for millions of years are led by a dominant female horse, kept in line by a dominant male horse, and supported by other members of the herd. The lead horses must continually prove themselves to be strong, confident, stable, firm and fair in order to earn the trust and respect of the herd. 

Application to horse handling To establish leadership with a horse, a person must display qualities that convince the horse that deferring its own judgment is its best chance of survival. Attempting to force, rather than earn, cooperation with a horse creates fear, and a fearful horse will either flee, fight, or shut down. Trying to lead a horse without first becoming clear about one’s desires and committed to confident, fair communication will result in resistance from the horse. 

Application to human relationships We encourage our clients to adopt the same leadership style that is successful with horses in other areas of their lives, whether that’s managing their employees, parenting their children, or working with any group where cooperation and mutual respect are key components in fulfilling the group’s objectives. Clients learn to monitor their leadership and recognize responses that indicate they have begun to use predatory leadership tactics.

FIVE: mastering communication

Horses communicate non-verbally and are very clear with each other. A herd cannot react quickly to a threat if there is a lot of “bickering” going on. Consequences for ignoring a request by a leader are quick, meaningful and fair, and there are no grudges held.

Application to horse handling Working with horses requires people to tune into the relationship and pay attention to very subtle messages. Being highly attuned to non-verbal signals, a horse will react to what a person’s body and energy “say” rather than what words are used. Problems arise when communication between horse and handler is not clear.  By clarifying what they are trying to “say” and how to correctly say it, clients can quickly clear up conflict without it becoming a negative experience. 

Application to human relationships Clients learn to tune in to what is going on with others, including nonverbal communication, making it more difficult to be caught off guard by other’s behaviors. We also help clients learn to notice where they send conflicting messages. Finally, clients have the opportunity to experience conflict not as the beginning of a fight, but as a learning moment that can actually strengthen a relationship.