What is a Win Win Relationship With Our Horses?

I recently attended the Beyond Welfarism Summit in Barcelona. We were tasked with the idea of creating a white paper that supported physical actions to positively influence the welfare of horses worldwide. One of the questions we were asked to consider was ‘What would the future of the equestrian world look like if the activities we did with our horses were mutually beneficial?’

Now this sparked some interesting conversation:

What would a horse consider mutually beneficial?

What would we consider mutually beneficial? Beneficial in what way?

How would we know if the horse was enjoying it?

Every horse is different, so would you be able to have a ‘one size fits all’ approach?

The conclusions we came to were that the horse industry needed certain information to be able to make these judgments. They needed to understand what motivates a horse’s behaviour, how they perceive the world around them, and exactly what they are saying and how they are feeling by reading their language and calming signals. Accurate interpretation of their behaviour is vital if we are to make well-informed decisions

We also concluded that just because the behaviour is ‘natural’ to the horse does not make it rewarding. Equally, just because it is not natural does not make it unrewarding. For example, free-living horses have the added stress of predation, but it may be clear to see that chasing a horse and making him fear for his life would not be a beneficial activity for them. Equally free-living horses are not ridden, although if the horse is given a choice, he may choose to be ridden if it enables him to explore further, move faster, and act out other natural behaviours which may otherwise be limited.

We therefore need to consider what is in it for the horse. For example, is an activity such as brushing or scratching beneficial for that horse or do they find touch uncomfortable either physically or emotionally? Are we avoiding riding or taking our horses out for walks because we feel like we're putting him under pressure, when really that horse may enjoy that activity if it is approached correctly and if the horse is given choice, challenge, and control over his environment.

There are many ways horses and humans can have fun and enhance well-being together. This relationship needs to be approached with knowledge and understanding, always asking yourself, 'How is my horse feeling?'What is right for him?' Then, so many possibilities exist – joint exploration, problem solving, sharing stillness, developing physically, and play. When we have the right information, we are only limited by our imaginations!

One of the lovely things about having our herd at home with us, it that they can slot in with whatever we happen to be doing that day – collecting seaweed, going shopping, heading out camping, building a fort in the garden etc, whatever it is, the ponies can choose to get involved or not. There is no longer a line between ‘being together’ and ‘training’, now all our time is ‘conversation’ and fun.

There are many different ways horses and humans can have fun and enhance well-being together. This relationship needs to be approached with knowledge and understanding, always asking yourself, "How is my horse feeling? What is right for him?" Then, so many possibilities exist—joint exploration, problem solving, sharing stillness, developing physically, and play. When we have the right information, we are only limited by our imaginations!