UNDERSTANDING HORSE PSYCHOLOGY

This study shows how the herd origins of the horse lie at the heart of its behaviour and discusses instincts for reproduction, homing, warning and defence. Understanding how a horse thinks and reacts under normal circumstances takes the rider halfway to solving many of the problems encountered in training. The book encourages thinking trainers and riders to develop a relationship with their animals, learning how to communicate using voice, legs and hands, and how to establish discipline by means of reward and punishment. The author looks at factors which are important in the formation of temperament: the desire to please, handling and mishandling, routine, and feeding. She also offers advice on stabling, feeding rules, exercise, stable vices, stress and its effects. Training must be related to instinct with advice on developing a training programme: the first six months, the second six months, and after a year.