From the round pen to the show ring..

“Horse whispering”: lessons from the round pen.

• Anthropomorphization –Why do we do it? • What’s the harm?

When evidence and traditions collide…

How do we know what we know How do we know what we know about horses?about horses?

►Evidence of brain anatomyEvidence of brain anatomy►Evidence of researchEvidence of research►Evidence of survival as a prey Evidence of survival as a prey

animalanimal

Equine Research

What do horses feel?

What makes horses stressed out?

What do horses see and hear?

How do horses make choices and learn?

Physical differences: ears

EyesightEyesight

►1. Largest eye of all land 1. Largest eye of all land animals. (take in more animals. (take in more stimuli)stimuli)►Eyes situated on side of Eyes situated on side of head (monocular)head (monocular)

►Binocular vision: seen from both eyes at Binocular vision: seen from both eyes at once. once.

Prey animals have Fright / Flight Instinct• survival instinct• prefer minimal risk

Spook! Punishment activates flight response

Don’t cause a spook!Use the 1 - 10 scale…Don’t cause a spook!

Use the 1-10 scale

Spook! What changes?

• Pace• Path• Package (topline, shape)

Claustrophobic. -Gradually incr. restraint-Provide escape route

Training through “trapping”…

Horses are social/ herd animals.

Horses expect a leader.We assume leadership by:1. Guarding personal space

Not guarding personal space

Not guarding personal space