To understand equine behavior, it is important to keep in mind that horses are prey animals, potential lunch for someone else. Plants, at the bottom of the food chain are eaten by herbivores, the consumer category that horses fall into. Then carnivores, the top ranking members of the food chain, eat the herbivores.
In fact, the first interactions between humans and horses were predator-prey. Since that time, we’ve essentially promoted the horse to its role as companion and co-worker. Yet the horse is still a prey animal with the psychology to match, and horses have a number of physical, mental and behavioral adaptations that are a product of their drive to survive.
Why Horses are Social Animals
Consider the social grouping of most prey animals. If the species in question is not relying on the invisibility of camouflage, it is probably depending on speed or the safety of group membership. The herd life is a social arrangement that confers protection. Many vigilant eyes mean that predators are more likely to be spotted. When the time comes to flee, it’s the animals that are too slow, or that stray from the group, that are usually taken down by predators. There is safety in numbers.
Why Horses Spook
With the horse’s very vulnerable position in the food chain, it pays to be cautious. Things that surprise a horse will be perceived as a threat and inspire a fearful reaction. This terrifying stimulus can be a barking dog, an overzealous child, or, for skittish steeds, even a butterfly. Horses have great long-term memory as well, so something that frightens a horse, just once, may end up being an object of fear for a very long time.
Avoid being Perceived as a Threat
Like many prey animal, horses’ eyes are located on the sides of their heads, giving them a large visual field. They cannot, however, see directly behind or in front of them. That is why it’s best to approach a horse from the side, speaking softly to announce your presence.
When moving behind a horse, either give the back of the animal a wide berth or remain very close, touching the hindquarters the entire time you move from one side to the other. Physical contact helps the horse remember that you are there, and staying close benefits you in the event that the horse does kick. A kick without far to go can’t pack much power and is less likely to result in injury to the handler.
In addition to remembering how to properly move approach and move around a horse, it’s important to understand how to behave in general. As a prey animal, a horse may perceive any sudden movement, large gesture or loud noise as a threat. Make sure your manner is confident, your movements slow and deliberate, and your voice soft and comforting. Although a firm voice is essential to use when giving a command or reprimand; it is the shrill, screeching screams of excited children and terrified adults that may launch a horse into panic and result in a dangerous situation.
Although mounts are much bigger than their handlers, it is important in all interactions with horses, to remember that these giants operate from a prey mentality.
More Information on Animal Behavior
To learn more about human and animal behavior, see the websites The Animal Behaviorist, Animal Behavior Associates or other Lestout articles, including Why Do People Yawn? and Understand Your Dog's Pack Behavior.
Sources
Waring, G.H. (2002). Horse Behavior, William-Andrews Inc.
Bradley, M., Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia. http://horses-arizona.com/pages/articles/psychology.HTML
Photo Credit
US Bureau of Land Management
