30/ MAY 2023 THE RIDER


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn How do we know what we know about horses?


In riding and showing


horses, we’re always solving puzzles: how to solve a be- haviour issue, figure out the source of a gait abnormality or how teach a skill and then refine it so it’s better than the competition! I don’t know about


you, but I’d rather not muck around with speculation. I want to sift through the an- ecdotes and dig up some facts. To separate the truth from what someone thinks is true or what I hopemight be true.


Which practices have a


By Lindsay Grice. Equestrian Canada coach, horse show judge and specialist in equine behav- iour.


It’s the information age-


videos, blogs, and social media sources provide a buffet of an- swers to the questions horse owners ask, in trying to commu- nicate with their 1000 lb., non- English speaking partners. The process of communicating to horses and training them to fit human goals can be puzzling. In in the horse world, where emo- tion, tradition and fact often col- lide, how do we know how horses really think, feel and learn? “If we could talk to the animals, learn their languages …Maybe take an animal degree.“ Dr. Doolittle


track record of success with multiple horses time after time? Is there research to back up the theory? Is it a lasting solution or a quick fix?


Western, dressage,


jumping or speed events – different disciplines, same species. The common de- nominator I‘ve found in coaching riders and training horses across the disciplines is that horses learn best when we adapt to the way they think and process. We’ll never know what it’s


In riding and showing horses, we’re al-


ways solving puzzles: how to solve a be- haviour issue or how teach a skill and then, how to refine it so it’s better than the competition!


like to be a horse but there’s a wealth of evidence pointing to the way horses are wired … and it’s not like humans in a lot of ways.. So how do we know what


we know about horses?


The evidence of research One of the things I love


about teaching equine behaviour is studying all the cool research that’s been conducted on behalf of horses. Through studies on hundreds of horses, we’re learn- ing what motivates them, scares


them and what they actually see, hear and smell. Tech- nology is available that ac- tually shows the action of various bits inside the equine mouth, so we don’t have to speculate. Equip- ment is used to read the heart rate and stress hor- mone levels during various training and handling prac- tices so we can confirm if a horse is under stress even if he may not appear so. Many of the findings verify what those of us who have trained a range of horses have concluded intuitively. But, based on what we now know through science, I’ve changed my approach in some areas over the years, and (as a naturally curious person) questioned the WHY of a few of our horse traditions. “I don’t know, that’s the way we’ve always done it ”.


The evidence of the horse’s brain Simply by comparing the


anatomy of the human and equine brain, we see that


horses have a relatively small area devoted to reasoning and higher thought processes such as analyzing and strategizing. . Beautifully designed as grazing, prey animals, they don’t need the same ability to speculate, (“What if?”), plan (“Next


time I


should…”), or analyze emotion (“sorry, I really overreacted…”). A horse does however, have


a large region devoted to coordi- nation. Learning –by- doing.


Western, dressage, jumping or speed events – different disci- plines, same species. The common denominator I‘ve found in


coaching riders and training horses across the disciplines? Horses learn best when we adapt to the way they think and process.


The evidence of survival as a social, prey animal What motivates a grazing


prey animal? Instinct to flee sounds and sights. The safety of the herd. The ability to roam and forage and procreate. A photo- graphic memory to recall danger- ous situations (without


the


human tendency to analyze these memories ). Prey animals don’t need speculation or strategy. They do need to follow the leader, escape entrapment and react quickly. Wow, this explains the greater chance of mishaps when we take horses off property or into the show ring! By gleaning insights from the science of how horses learn


and think, we uncover explana- tions beyond excuses (She’s just being a mare) or traditions (Seven falls make a rider). I use this evidence vs. emotions-based approach in coaching riders how to consider their horse’s perspec- tive in order to teach a new skill or fix an issue when things go not-as-planned in the show ring. I’ve come to believe, the


most efficient way to teach a skill , the kindest way for me to solve a horse puzzle and the best chance of keeping myself and my students safe is to think more like a horse!


About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding coach with a special interest in equine behaviour.


After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges many disciplines and breeds and serves on an EC judging committee


Why do horses do what they do? “In the horse world, our traditions and evidence sometimes collide – I love to help riders solve their horse puzzles with logic, patience and equitation science.” www.lindsaygriceridingcoach.com


Join the Rockwood Trail Riders for their 2023 Show Season!


Shows: May 14, June 11, July 9 and Aug 10 Trail Horse Trials September 10. Show grounds are located at 8409 Wellington Rd 27, Rockwood, ON


A grassroots show series perfect for green riders and horses


Classes in English, Western and Games. Side Saddle riders welcome!


Class fees range from $8 to $10.


For more information visit www.rockwoodtrailriders.ca Or email Joanne Milton info@rusticmeadows.com


Photo of Rustic Matador by Deb Shore.


It’s Our 60th Anniversary


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