Preserving the Horse’s Wild Nature

All riders would agree that there is something primal and ancient about the horse. They’ve long been a fascination for humanity, from the ancient cave paintings at Lascaux and Chauvet to the modern fascination with Mustangs, Brumbies, and even their more ancient cousins, the Przewalski’s horses and Sorraia horses.

Yet that wild nature persists through our domesticated horses. As a species, horses are a rare domesticated species that can truly return to its wild nature. Cattle do not become aurochs, dogs do not become wolves, but horses are horses. Their instincts are still powerful, more so in some breeds than others.

Most domestication and training efforts work to squash these instincts, to make horses obedient to what we want. These horses can become dull, with the spark of life gone from their eyes. Others ignore the instincts and tolerate the fight or flight reactions and write off bucks, rears, and other reactions as “quirks.”

What if there’s a middle ground? A way to maintain the playful nature, acknowledge the fight and flight nature but give them a sense of safety where it’s not needed anymore? Create a horse that is obedient based on trust and not on fear? Even better, a horse that is a contributing dance partner to the relationship, not one that has to be told what to do at all times, but one that is so connected that it’s hard to know who originated the thought?

This is something that some of the great horsemen of the past recognized. They needed a partner to contribute; it often kept them safe and alive on the battlefield. Those aggressive tendencies seen in wild stallions could help break through formations, and that watchfulness with their field of vision can help the rider be able to respond to a threat they didn’t see. As is the case today, not all horsemen of the past recognized this, as we see in some passages that are particularly harsh, but the great ones did.

The beautiful thing is: it’s possible for all horsepeople to achieve this relationship. There is science supporting this approach to horse training and horsekeeping, and it is an entirely logical approach. The horses become calmer, less reactive, but more expressive and openly affectionate with their riders.

By taking a moment and listening first, acknowledging the horse’s feelings, whether those are fear, overstimulation, or something else, the rider can then work on the source of those emotions and help them process those at their pace. Over time, the horse’s response becomes one first of looking to the rider before reacting blindly.

It’s also important not to set the horse up for failure. That doesn’t mean always avoiding things that might frighten them; that’s impossible in life. What it does mean is setting them up to feel less trapped and more able to respond. If we restrain horses so they can’t ever spook or flee or get to a distance where they feel “safe” about a scary thing, they may escalate in their fear or shut down into learned helplessness. In training, sometimes the horse can feel pressured, as some exercises are physically difficult and demand a great deal of concentration, so it is important in those situations to give them an open space where they can feel free to defend themselves, such as an open space along the wall instead of working in a corner. If you do go to a new place, take the time to go early to identify any potential spooky areas, then allow the horse to examine them calmly. Over time, you’ll find you need to make fewer and fewer accommodations for your horse, as they’ll trust that you won’t set them up for failure.

It’s also important that riders listen early to subtle communications horses may make that could indicate something is “off” with them that day. Perhaps it is the saddle fit, perhaps it’s a sore muscle from being kicked by a pasturemate. The horse should be allowed to communicate. Boundaries of course may be set (such as ears pinning being okay but nipping not being okay), and that is healthy. Horses do so with each other, but it is important to remember that boundaries cannot be so strict that they silence all communication from the horse.

We also cannot deny certain parts of the horse’s nature beyond their reactivity and communication. Most people are aware of the value of going out on trails, but it is also important to allow them to go for regular gallops and even engage in (safe) playfulness with their rider (small romps, taking brushes or other toys and flapping them around, mounted games, and even liberty work).

It’s also important to allow horses to make mistakes and give them the Bob Ross treatment. If you are teaching a leg-yield and the horse offers turn on the forehand, for example, adjust your aids so that you are “asking” for what the horse is offering, then laugh and praise them for the effort. There are many times that I’ve taught a horse something new because they made a “happy accident.” This allows the horse to have some autonomy in its own learning process, and they are happier for it. Educating the horse in a way that sets the horse up to learn what we want it to do on its own is powerful, and they often remember the lesson better. Patterns are a great way to do this; using patterns to set up their balance and then letting them bask in how their body feels helps them learn that it feels good to use their body with better biomechanics. Over time, your communication will become clearer and easier and almost magical.

There are other ways too of maintaining their wild nature: maximizing turnout time, maximizing their social lives with other horses, showing affection through grooming, etc., but these are well-known methods of optimizing their mental and physical health. However, these methods of horsekeeping are moot points if we ignore their inner nature when we train and handle them. We want them to want to be with us and to feel as free to be themselves with us as we can feel with them.

Over time, this approach should produce a more trustworthy, happy dancing partner. Some people have pushed back that cultivating and catering to their inner nature while working on strengthening them will make them act out harsher. Nothing could be further from the truth. In my experience, they become quieter, happier, more expressive but more reliable. If they become worse, there’s something wrong (namely tack fit or health problem). The exceptions are incredibly rare and very obvious.

So as you approach working with your horse, think about ways you can help respect and preserve the very thing that makes your horse a horse. Start small, and see what changes come about. Before you know it, you’ll start seeing your relationship transform into the dream you’ve had since you were a child.

-Emily Wright

Want more hands-on assistance in getting to this point with your horse? Check out lessons onsite, over virtual platforms, at your own farm, or at our trainer’s part-time location at Bridlewood Dressage in Hillsdale, NY! Contact us today to set up a lesson!