There are many things that make horses unique, but without a doubt their emotional intelligence is one attribute that stands out. Not only do they have a deep understanding of the world around them, but they can also sense how we’re feeling. However, some people still have a hard time communicating with their horse and feel like their horse doesn’t understand them, but this isn’t true at all! Horses do understand and it’s up to us to learn how to properly communicate by first building trust.
Let your horse get to know you
One of the most important things you can do when working with a horse is to let your horse get to know you. When horses are exposed to new people, they will often feel uncomfortable or uncertain. To help build trust, be sure to spend quality time with your horse in which they have an opportunity to become accustomed to how you smell and sound. This can also help them familiarise themselves with their surroundings as well as other horses or people who may be present during training sessions.
You should also take note of any changes in body language exhibited by your horse such as eye movements, breathing patterns, sweating, etc. These external cues can help you determine whether or not your horse is under stress and if you’ll need to make any adjustments when you’re interacting with each other in the future. This can also help you track progress and monitor whether your horse is getting more comfortable in your presence.
Your actions and behaviours matter
When you’re first building trust with your horse it’s beneficial to always be consistent with your actions and behaviours. This predictability creates a safe space that your horse can get used to and forms a good starting point for when you’re training together later down the line. You can create this consistency by beginning with your regular activities, like grooming, feeding or tacking up. If you always do something one way, your horse will get used to the routine and be more likely to listen when you’re wanting them to do something.
Since horses are such good readers of body language, it’s very important that you’re mindful of your actions and tone of voice. Make sure that you’re always using a gentle hand when handling your horse and aren’t using equipment that might hurt them, like a whip or bit.
Be aware of how you raise your voice and try to avoid it. If you do raise your voice, your horse will likely become afraid because they might think that you’re a threat to them. This can lead to fear and aggression on their part and might make them more distrustful of you. Instead, try using a firm voice when angry, that is commanding, rather than shouting.
Teach manners from the very beginning
Teach your horse to respect you from the start. Respect is a two-way street and it’s important to establish yourself as the one who is in charge right from the beginning. You should be able to trust that your horse will listen to your commands and follow through on their training. It’s also necessary to let them know that certain things are off limits and they can’t act out if they’re not getting what they want. You’ll need to pay attention to their body language and ensure you’re working with them and not against them.
Lastly, you should also teach your horse to respect others. Whilst you should always be cautious around horses (especially if they’re new) and keep an eye out for any signs of aggression or discomfort in them, it’s important to teach them how to behave around other people and horses as well.
Show how much you care
One of the best ways to build trust with your horse is by showing them that you care. This can be done in many ways, such as grooming them regularly and making sure they are kept healthy through proper feeding and veterinary care. When you take care of your horse well, they will return the favour by trusting you more easily.
Another way to earn their trust is by being consistent and keeping them in check so that they don’t get away with bad behaviour. If your horse tries to do whatever they want, let it know right away that this isn’t acceptable. Through regular training and mutual respect, you’ll slowly teach your horse that certain behaviours are off-limits and that working together is better for you both. Don’t give up on training – it takes time for a new behaviour to stick!
Trust is earned
Always remember that trust is earned and horses are most likely to trust those who are kind and respectful towards them. Focus on being the type of person your horse wants to be around and organically they will begin to enjoy your company. There are many ways in which you can build trust with your horse and it’s never too late to start. If you’d like help building trust with your horse, register for either a one-to-one session with Wayne or book into one of our upcoming training courses or clinics.
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