The Horse. The Human.
Horses are not mind readers. They are not telepathic with a magic eight ball. As prey animals, they have evolved into highly sentient beings, sensitive and highly tuned in to their environment, surrounding, and anything that may interact with them.
The horse has the ability to perceive and respond to the most subtle forms of energy. From the smallest movement to a change in posture, eye contact, or tone of voice, these very subtle forms of verbal and non-verbal communication are sending messages to the horse unbeknownst to the individual. Furthermore, they often indicate and reflect how an individual is feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically without being outwardly expressed with words
Did you know horses have the ability to hear the heartbeat of a human from four feet away? In 2009, Linda Keeling, Ph.D. from Swedish University, conducted a study to test the relationship between human and horse heart rates with fear as an indicator. In the study, “Investigating Horse-Human Interaction: The Effects Of A Nervous Human, participants were told to ride their horse from Point A to Point B four times. On the fourth round, an umbrella would open to indicate the end of the ride. However, the umbrella never opened which led to an increased heart rate for all riders. Interestingly, the horse's heart rate also increased in response to the human’s heart rate.
This type of research helps us understand how a human’s physiological reaction to fear or anxiety can impact the horse directly. If you are riding and you become anxious, common reactions may include tightening your lead rope, tensing your body, and/or increasing the pressure on your legs. These reactions tell the horse there is something wrong and there is danger. As a result, the horse will begin to look for what could be a threat, not knowing that it is the rider’s own anxiety.
Humans can learn a lot about leadership from how they interact with horses. Horses, like most humans, are seeking a leader that provides an environment that is calm and grounded. This requires a leader to reflect on the type of energy they are bringing to the table. If you are anxious, the horse will mirror this back to you. However, if you are calm and confident, the horses will be too. Whether you are leading a horse or a new team member at work, a leader should be constantly aware of their emotions and energy. Are you creating a calm environment? Do you feel there is trust and respect? It is critical to remember as a leader that how you feel and conduct yourself has a profound effect on those around you.
“I was fortunate to understand early on that your feelings and attitude reflect directly into the horse. I quickly learned that the only way to move forward with your horse is to remain calm, cool and collected in order to foster a true bond. Once established one can start to have fun and enjoy the process which after some time I was able to do. I realized the more in tune I became with the horse the faster things went. Catching , grooming , feeding and saddling became natural and was no longer a fight. The horse taught me patience, humility and most importantly how to love again.” - H&H Graduate