Horse Ownership

Horse Ownership is such a privilege, but more importantly it’s a bond that few people ever have the chance to experience, and yet each equine is so very dependent on we humans to care for them and see to all their needs.

Can horses smell fear?  According to some experts, horses can’t smell fear, but they can sense it.  Because they are prey animals living in herds, they are tuned in to the emotions of those around them.  If a herdmate is fearful, the horse will pick up on this by seeing the body language of the other horse.  If someone in the herd is scared, danger may be lurking.  So it’s imperative that horses know how to read fear.  

Horses who live with humans sometimes get good at sensing human fear as well.  A horse lacking in confidence mounted by a fearful rider is a recipe for trouble.  The horse will sense the rider’s fearfulness through body language and by sensing the  rider’s tension and think there must be something to be afraid of.  The horse gets scared, which makes the rider more scared, and it becomes a vicious cycle.  

If you are standing next to your horse, you’re in a herd of two.  If you’re not confident and “In Charge”, your equine is scared to death.  Stay confident in your leadership of your equine friend, thus eliminating his/her fear of the unknown as he/she knows then that you will fend off any problems that come their way and all is well.