Horses, like all animals, have preferences and aversions influenced by their individual experiences, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors. Understanding whether horses like, or dislike certain things is crucial in ensuring their well-being and addressing behavioural and health issues. The other side of the coin is ensuring we don’t use this idea as an excuse for not acting.
I hear these types of phrases often - ‘My horse doesn’t like…’ or ‘My horse hates…,’ and I started to really think about them, as I’d observed another side to these phrases. Someone might say ‘My horse doesn’t like to be groomed.’ That seems fair enough, we all like different things. But when I check into this further, I find they’re using a hard, stiff brush, or the horse has rain scald, or they are rough when grooming. I’ve had people say, ‘My horse doesn’t like that bridle.’ Again, fair enough, but then I see them riding and they never give with their hands, or they are inconsistent and confusing to the horse, or they’re scared and holding the horse super tight, or the bridle is fitted incorrectly. There are so many possibilities to explore.
One common scenario where horses' preferences can be misinterpreted is in their reactions to training and handling. A horse might resist certain activities not because they dislike them per se, but because they associate them with discomfort, fear, or confusion. For example, a horse that balks at saddling might not necessarily dislike the saddle but could be experiencing back pain or might have had a negative experience with saddling in the past. Dismissing this resistance as mere dislike without investigating the root cause can lead to persistent behavioural issues and even exacerbate the horse's discomfort.
A horse that refuses to load into a trailer might be labelled as stubborn or difficult, when they might be fearful due to past experiences, or our approach might be causing unnecessary stress. By attributing the horse's behaviour to simple preference, we can avoid taking responsibility for addressing the underlying issues, such as training techniques or the need for desensitization.
Sometimes these types of phrases can indicate a block in the human. By saying our horse doesn’t like it, we close the door to doing anything about it. It’s an easy way to avoid dealing with something that’s happening. Also, it’s a human trait to project things onto others. If we are having trouble with something, and say it’s someone else’s issue, then we don’t have to look at a potential issue with ourselves.
When something happens with our horses there are three main locations for the origin of the issue. The horse, ourselves, or the environment. If we can work out where the problem is originating from, we’re halfway to solving it. If our default setting is always saying it’s originating in the horse, we’re missing two other great potential sources of information and solutions. Also, there's a tendency among horse owners and handlers to anthropomorphize horses, attributing human-like emotions and reasoning to them. This too can sometimes lead to excuses for not addressing underlying issues that may arise in a horse's behaviour or condition.
Ultimately, addressing the issues that arise in horse behaviour and care requires a combination of empathy, knowledge, and a willingness to investigate and address the root causes of problems. While balancing that with the fact that sometimes it may be a genuine like or dislike. By avoiding the trap of anthropomorphizing horses and using their perceived preferences as excuses, we can ensure that we provide the best possible care. Understanding horses' communication and addressing their needs holistically leads to better outcomes for both the horses and their human companions.
Suzy Maloney B.Eq.Sc.Dip.Couns.
Happy Horses Bitless
Considerate Horsemanship
Email: suzy@happyhorsesbitless.com
Lismore, NSW, Australia
Ph: 0401 249 263
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