How Do We Achieve Positive Affect In Horses

A question from one of our members this week was "How can we promote a positive affective state in horses without food. I thought this was a fantastic question and something that underpins the work we do here at Horse Play Highlands. 

Positive affectivity (PA) is a characteristic that describes how much someone experiences positive affects (sensations, emotions, sentiments); and as a consequence, how they interact with others and with their surroundings.

Those with high positive affectivity are typically enthusiastic, energetic, confident, active, and alert. Research has linked positive affectivity with an increase in longevity, better sleep, and a decrease in stress hormones.

Those having low levels of positive affectivity are characterized by sadness, lethargy and distress. Low levels of positive affect are correlated with anxiety and depression, due to decreased levels of dopamine.

So how do we achieve this in our horses? Well, it's about taking a holistic approach. PA cannot be created solely in training sessions ( such as using positive reinforcement, although how a horse is trained has a huge impact), but is a result of general well-being. Like us, if horses have agency in all aspects of their lives, (choice, control, and challenge), they have lower stress levels and high PA. This can be achieved in management by avoiding confinement, providing appropriate enrichment that addresses all 7 senses, and ensuring individual, herd and land needs are met.

It's a little harder in horse/human interactions as the horse needs to be in a calm emotional state first with any previous triggers being addressed. However, once this is in place, we can ensure a high PA state during our interactions, even without using specific training, by understanding our horse's ethology, physiology, and communication. Meeting needs, responding to communication, and recognising bids for connection combine to create an environment where the horse feels safe, heard, in control, and sufficiently challenged leading to a high Positive Affect.

If this is an approach you'd like to apply to your time with your horse, then the Horse Play At Home online course can lead you through all you need to set your horse up for a positive life worth living.