While each species has its unique preferences and dislikes, horses have distinct characteristics that are often overlooked. For instance, dogs adore having their necks scratched, rabbits delight in nibbling banana treats, and goats despise getting wet. Similarly, horses have specific aversions that are crucial to acknowledge.
Despite this, many people tend to forget or disregard these preferences, potentially due to a misconception that horses won’t be bothered or that they’re simply intelligent beings deserving of love and respect. However, horses are not mere chairs on movable legs; they’re extraordinary creatures that merit consideration. With this in mind, here’s a list of the most common things that horses dislike, which unfortunately many people still do anyway.
When People Approach from Behind
Horses possess impressive peripheral vision, but surprisingly, they don’t have eyes at the back of their head. This means that if something or someone suddenly appears behind them, they can become quite startled as they’re unable to detect who or what it is. In fact, approaching a horse from behind without warning can be downright hazardous. A sudden and unexpected rear approach often prompts horses to react defensively, which may result in kicking out in self-defense.
It’s essential to understand the potential consequences of a horse kick to the sternum or skull – the impact can be severe. To avoid any unpleasantness, it’s crucial to announce your presence from a reasonable distance when approaching your equine companion from behind.
Carrying Riders Who are Upset or Angry
While animals, including humans, may not always exhibit empathy towards others, many species possess a remarkable ability to sense emotions. Horses, in particular, are incredibly attuned to the feelings of those around them. If you’re experiencing even mild irritation or anxiety, your horse will likely pick up on it and respond accordingly. This can manifest as them becoming easily spooked, stubborn, or temperamental.
In cases where emotional turbulence is affecting you, it’s often best to forego riding and instead engage in a more relaxed activity with your horse, such as walking together or simply spending quality time. By doing so, you’ll not only benefit from the calming effects of equine companionship but also minimize the risk of miscommunication and emotional upset that can arise when emotional states are misaligned.
Being Stuck in Their Stalls for Too Long
Do you know what it’s like to be a horse stuck in its stall for too long? It’s a feeling amplified by about 1000 times compared to when humans have to stay still for an extended period. For horses, being confined goes against their natural instincts to run and play freely. When they’re trapped, they can become restless and exhibit behaviors like cribbing, pacing, or even trying to escape.
If you own a horse, it’s essential to prioritize giving them the freedom to roam and exercise daily, whether that means turning them out into a pasture or providing a large enough enclosure for them to move around. To keep things interesting, mix up their routines and introduce new toys regularly for them to interact with and play.
Training Too Much, Too Often
You understand the allure of sharing thrilling experiences with your horse, but it’s essential to strike a balance between training and relaxation. Overexertion can lead to physical and mental fatigue in these magnificent creatures, much like over-scheduling can exhaust children. When horses are forced to constantly perform, they may develop resentment towards their trainers, perceiving them as the source of exhaustion.
A harmonious relationship with your horse requires a mix of engaging activities and downtime, allowing him to enjoy your company without feeling burdened or obligated.
Yanking Reins
It’s inevitable that every horse rider starts with a few beginner blunders. However, make an effort to overcome the habit of pulling or jerking the reins as quickly as possible. Similarly, discourage kids from adopting this behavior. While you might think you’re drawing attention to yourself with a sudden movement, it can be both annoying and even harmful for your equine companion. In fact, this particular habit is one that many horses dislike, making it a common annoyance.
Just as you wouldn’t appreciate someone yanking on your head to get your attention, don’t inflict the same discomfort on your horse.
Yelling at Them
When trying to correct horse behavior, it’s crucial to consider the tone we use. While yelling might get their attention in certain situations, like preventing them from running into a thorn bush, it’s counterproductive when attempting to modify undesirable behaviors or address underlying issues. Horses are sensitive to loud noises and don’t respond well to aggression, which can actually foster mistrust and resistance.
Instead of treating our horses as adversaries, we should strive for empathy and understanding. If a horse is exhibiting problematic behavior, there’s likely an underlying cause that needs attention – perhaps they’re unhappy with their living conditions or struggling with physical discomfort. By approaching the issue with patience, compassion, and an open mind, we can work towards finding solutions that benefit both humans and horses.
People Running Around When They’re Resting
When approaching the barn, it’s essential to move at a calm and deliberate pace to avoid startling your horses. As prey animals, they’re naturally inclined to perceive sudden movements as a threat, which can trigger a flight response. To prevent this, take the time to walk quietly and communicate with them in a soothing tone. Call out their names or sing softly to let them know you’re present and approach in an unhurried manner.
This gentle approach will help your horses feel secure and relaxed, rather than alert and anxious, allowing you to move freely within the barn without causing undue stress.
Crinkly Sounds
Horses are naturally wary creatures, prone to startling easily at unfamiliar sights and sounds. A sudden noise or unexpected object can send them into a panic, causing them to spook or even rear up in fright. In fact, some common triggers include the sound of an umbrella opening or the sight of a plastic bag caught in a tree branch.
It’s not just sudden noises that can spook horses, however. They’re also put off by crinkly sounds like those made by plastic water bottles or Velcro strips.
While they may eventually become desensitized to these noises, it’s essential to introduce them gradually and in a controlled manner.
Interestingly, horses can even develop an affection for certain sounds over time – provided that exposure is gentle and incremental. For instance, many horses will respond enthusiastically to the rustling of a bag filled with their favorite treats, like carrots.
Keeping Them Alone
Despite being social creatures by nature, horses are often kept isolated from each other due to human concerns over safety and injury prevention. However, this isolation can be detrimental to their emotional well-being, as they have a strong instinctual need for companionship. In the wild, horses thrive in herds, so it’s crucial to provide them with social interaction and stimulation to prevent boredom, stress, and other negative effects.
For more information on how to give your horse the companionship it craves, check out our comprehensive guide.
Tips For Understanding Your Horse’s Preferences
To effectively communicate with horses, it’s crucial to understand their body language. Since they can’t verbalize their thoughts or emotions, you need to decipher their physical cues. Take note of how they’re moving their ears and eyes, are they sidestepping, stomping, champing, or pulling back their lips? These subtle signs indicate that your horse is uncomfortable with what you’re doing.
To develop this skill, read books or work with experienced trainers who can teach you the intricacies of horse communication. By learning to recognize individual preferences and aversions, you’ll be able to tailor your approach to each horse’s unique personality. The importance of understanding another’s language cannot be overstated. In any relationship, effective communication reduces misunderstandings.
This is especially true when working with nonverbal animals like horses, where body language is their primary means of expression.
