Horses possess many attributes which make them a species of choice for human companionship and service. Relating to horses requires a knowledge of their behavior. Without this knowledge, involvement with them can be dangerous.

Behavior is a product of both instinct and experience. To some degree, all horses behave in a a similar fashion. Successful training depends on the trainer's understanding of these traits and how stimuli (cues) can be applied to modify behavior. Behavioral traits important to training include the fight or flight response, memory, perception of and reaction to stimuli, and the response to dominance.

Safety Principles Related to Training and Behavior

Recognize the horse's natural defense mechanisms.

• Frightened or aggressive horses may panic, escape, or fight. They may have little regard for human dominance or safety. Learn to recognize the differences between fear and aggressive behavior. A frightened horse will need slow, consistently applied reinforcement to build security. Horses that initiate dangerous, aggressive behavior must be punished to eliminate the response.

• Understand horse behavior as it relates to herd social order, stallion sexual behavior, and mare and foal relationships. Expect some horses to be more aggressive than others.

• Watch for the visual signs of behavior and attitude. Recognize the signs of a frightened, confused or aggressive horse.

• Don't try to herd or lead a horse when standing directly behind or in front of it. These are blind areas in  a horse's visual field. A horse may bolt forward or kick when frightened.

• Approach a horse at its shoulder. This allows you to use your body to impede movement while positioning yourself in a safe location.

• Make a horse stand when turning it loose until your are safely positioned to avoid being run over or kicked. Position the horse so that its head is facing a wall or fence before removing the halter. This will keep the horse from bolting.

• Don't allow yourself to be trapped between a frightened or mad horse and a stall wall or other barrier.

• Do not chase horses when trying to catch them. This action reinforces the horse's desire to escape.

Recognize the reactivity of horses.

• Be cautious in new environments. Recognize small changes in the environment that may frighten a horse.

• Move slowly and deliberately around horses. Avoid sudden movements that may confuse the horse or be perceived as a prelude to punishment. Punishment usually involves quick movements.

• Introduce clippers, blankets and saddles in a safe, familiar place. With experience, most horses learn to ignore the sound, sight, smell, or movement associated with routine procedures.

• Always be prepared for an unexpected stimuli that may frighten the horse, especially in new environments.

Understand the need for reinforcements.

• Stay alert to cues and reinforcement at all times. Be consistent in your cues and acceptance of responses. Recognize that cues are applied to horses constantly while you are handling them.

• To develop and maintain trust and acceptance of human dominance, apply appropriate and consistent reinforcement and punishment.

• Punish bad behavior to eliminate undesirable responses. Apply punishment discriminately. Make punishments intense, short termed, and contingent upon the action.

• Allow for escape and avoidance options when applying negative reinforcement. Give the horse an identifiable reward by applying simple, consistent cues with quick release.

• Train the horse to respond to a rider's hand, voice, leg, and body cues through the use step- wise training programs.

• Apply contingent reinforcement so the horse will associate them with the intended cue.

Use proper equipment and facilities to encourage acceptable responses.

• Use stocks when treating, washing or performing activities the horse may perceive as threatening.

• Tie horses with quick release knots.

• Evaluate enclosed areas for horse and rider safety.

• Use round pens and other enclosed areas when teaching horses to respond to training aids.

• Understand the function of different bits and training aids and use them in a safe manner.

• Maintain equipment in good repair. Perform routine equipment checks and replace questionable parts which could fail under stress.

• Use properly fitting equipment to allow for consistency of cues, release of pressure, and safety.

• Wear protective clothing and safety gear, such as boots, pants, and head gear or helmet. Make sure clothing and safety gear fit properly and securely.

Learn the procedures of horse handling and use.

• Obtain advice and instruction from qualified, experienced individuals.

• Become familiar with the activities in which you intend to participate before introducing them to your horse.

• Initiate newly learned techniques under the direction of experienced individuals.

Before buying a horse for the first time, you should consider several questions, inlcuding the following:

• What type of horse will best meet your needs?

• Where can you buy a horse?

• How are you going to take care of the horse's daily needs?

• What type of supplies will you need?

• What the expected costs of keeping a horse?

Like most situations, knowledgeable answers to these and other questions come from research and experience. Some of the more universal decisions to be made have to do with the selection of a horse, location of housing, and how to budget for the costs of horse ownership. 

Selecting a Horse

Selecting a horse requires prospective owners to identify their intended horse use, to be able to evaluate horse value and to be familiar with different outlets for horse purchase. People own horses for a variety of hobby and business interests. When surveyed, Oklahoma horse owners indicate several reasons for owning a horse for hobby, including:

• Pleasure and enjoyment

• A desire to compete in horse events

• Participation in youth development projects

Your reason for wanting a horse will be the initial guide in determining what type of horse will best meet your needs. Before buying, define the types of activities in which you want to become involved. Common horse activities indicated by Oklahoma horse owners include: 

• Pleasure riding

• Participating in horse shows and rodeos

• Racing

• Working livestock

It is advisable to attend different horse related activities and observe the requirements for participation. Interacting with horse owners at these activities will help you meet others with similar interests and will help you to enjoy your horse. Also, it will help identify attributes that are important for a horse to excel in an activity, and it may provide a source of horses to buy. 

Most people won horses for hobby interests related to family and youth development, enhancement of the quality of life, or entertainment. Several practices will help increase the level of enjoyment of horse ownership: 

• Before buying a horse, research the horse market and the types of horse uses with which you may want to become involved.

• Budget the cost of housing and care before buying a horse.

• Maintain accurate records of costs and make adjustments to maximize the amount of pleasure received from money spent for horse ownership.

• The cost of horse ownership can be regulated by understanding the needs of the horse, and selecting products that most efficiently meet those needs.

• Cooperative Extension Service publications and programs, veterinarians, other horse owners, and local libraries are good sources for information about the proper care and use of horses.

(Special thanks to Ray Ridlen, Oklahoma County OSU Extension, for development of this material.)