Talking to a horse involves using a combination of clear, consistent verbal cues (short words like "whoa," "trot"), specific body language (slow, non-threatening movements; leg aids for "go," reins for "stop"), and a calm, consistent tone of voice, as horses understand intent and energy more than complex human language, building a unique bond through subtle cues over time.
When a horse gently brings his head even slightly in your direction, it is affection and acknowledgement (unless you are holding a treat in your hand or pocket, then it is probably about the treat). The low, soft 'nickering' sounds they make at each other are other ways they show affection.
Are horses really capable of recognizing their owners and their voices? Study results from a team of British behavior researchers suggest that horses really do appear to be capable of matching voices to faces when it comes to the humans they know.
Absolutely without a doubt! We have many horses here in training and they can pick up on the tone of voice very quickly… OP, continue to talk to your horses and always praise them verbally. They definitely enjoy it and respond.
The "1-2-3 Rule" for horses is a critical guideline for monitoring a newborn foal and mare: the foal should stand within 1 hour, nurse within 2 hours, and the mare should pass the placenta (afterbirth) within 3 hours of birth; any delay in these milestones requires an immediate call to a veterinarian to ensure the health of both animals.
Just like a dog might wag its tail at the sight of its owner, horses also show signs of emotional attachment. They may not fetch your slippers (thankfully, considering their size), but they do recognize and form special bonds with their owners. These bonds are built on trust, routine, and positive interaction.
The "20% rule" for horses is a guideline stating a horse should carry no more than 20% of its body weight, including the rider, saddle, and equipment, to ensure welfare and prevent strain, though many experts suggest 10-15% is a safer target for long-term health, with factors like fitness, breed, age, and rider skill influencing the actual capacity. This rule helps determine appropriate loads, with a 1000lb horse ideally carrying 200lbs (or less), and signs of being overweight include lameness, sweating, or resistance, while a horse's conformation (like a wider loin) can affect its ability to carry weight.
Where Do Horses Like to Be Pet? In a herd, horses groom each other on the withers and around the shoulder area, making it the most natural place for horses to be pet. Once a horse trusts you, you may find they like a pet in other areas, too.
The "3 Fs for horses" stand for Friends, Forage, and Freedom, a widely recognized concept in equine welfare emphasizing natural social interaction (friends), continuous access to fiber-rich food (forage), and ample space for movement and choice (freedom) to ensure a horse's physical and mental well-being. These pillars address core needs, preventing behavioral issues often rooted in confinement and unnatural feeding, promoting happier, healthier horses.
While we're still waiting for the “I Love You” in horse language, horses have their own ways of saying it. They might groom you back, keep their eyes on you, or nuzzle and breathe softly on your neck. It's their version of love letters, but more slobbery and much cuter.
Horses are drawn to look at our eyes. When you establish a visual connection with them, you have their attention and can build a dialogue. Use touch. Try leaning on your horse, use blankets and tarps to get the horse comfortable with weight and objects on their body.
The ears laid flat against the neck, head raised and the horse may lunge at you, whites of the eyes showing, and their mouth open showing their teeth. You should avoid approaching a horse from behind. If you do, they may warn you if they're angry and want you to stay away or go away.
Always begin with a calm, respectful approach. Avoid jerking on the lead or using excessive pressure. The goal is to communicate clearly, not overpower. Your horse should walk beside you, not lag behind or rush ahead.
It states: when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. Yet, many businesses refuse to do so. Instead, they attempt misguided strategies like: Buying a stronger whip.
Horses should not be expected to carry more than 15% to 20% of their body weight. On a 450kg horse, that absolute maximum at 20% is 90kg. Anything above that is not fair to the horse and their well being is of utmost importance to us.
The "Three Second Rule" in horse training means you must reward or release pressure within about three seconds of a desired behavior for the horse to connect the action with the outcome, because their short memory span makes delayed rewards ineffective. This rule applies to both positive reinforcement (like giving a treat or praise) and negative reinforcement (releasing rein tension), ensuring clear communication and building trust by capitalizing on the horse's "in-the-moment" focus.
Here's a quick summary of the top indicators of happiness in horses:
Some do, some don't. Most horses don't like having their neck wrapped around but they might like resting their head on you.
Since horses are rather large, they will wrap their head and neck around you to show their affection. They want you to know they appreciate your company. Often times they will rest their head on your chest, right by your heart. That's really the most direct way for them to send love to your heart.
They need companionship of the same species. If you board, you only need one horse and it'll have a constant herd even if other horses move or sell or die. If you keep it on your own property you need at least one other horse with it.
Generally speaking, mating is not painful for female horses. This is due in part to the fact that the mare will not typically allow the stallion to mount unless she is in the right stage of her heat cycle and ready to mate.
On average, most horses spend a combined total of five to seven hours a day sleeping. It is generally accepted that horses spend approximately 15% of their total sleep time in REM sleep. While some horses get two to three hours of REM sleep per day, all horses need at least 30 minutes.