Why do horses do the things they do? How can we have one horse who is steady eddy and another who is a firecracker just waiting to explode? What is the force that drives and shapes the horse's emotions, actions, reactions and overall temperament?
Every horse is unique. And yet they all share the common design of their nervous systems and as a result, they effectively function in the same way.
There are five fundamental needs that every horse has in common that help explain why horses behave the way they do.
- CERTAINTY: assurance the horse can avoid pain and receive pleasure
- VARIETY: the need for variety
- CONNECTION/LOVE: bonding, communication, mutual grooming and play
- CONTRIBUTION: having an equal voice and sense of contribution
- FREEDOM: physical, mental and emotional space
The ways in which horses meet these five needs are unlimited. For example, one of the five needs is the desire for certainty that they can avoid pain and gain pleasure/comfort. Some horses will manifest this need by appearing to be hyper-sensitive and reactive to their environment in an attempt to avoid pains. Others may appear dull and instead turn over control to those around them to rely upon judging when a situation could result in pain or comfort.
All dysfunctional behaviors arise from the horse's inability to obtain these five needs.
Since we are the ones in ultimate control, holding our horses in captivity, it is also our responsibility to help our horses meet these needs in their daily life. How does your horse's lifestyle provide for his needs?
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Thank you Erica for this post.. sometimes after a long day it’s tough to remember horses have just as many needs as we do and need a special level of attention. A horse’s 5 needs as you detail them above is a fresh and intelligent perspective that I think even experienced horse owners can take something good away from. Thanks again 🙂
I agree Sharon, it is all too easy to misplace our attention from the horse to our own thoughts, needs, wants, etc. 🙂 Of course, it’s easy to do that in any relationship that requires so much effort. I like to write these kinds of posts because it’s a great reminder for myself to look back at and go, “oh yeah, gotta do that!” 🙂
Thank you Erica for this post.. sometimes after a long day it’s tough to remember horses have just as many needs as we do and need a special level of attention. A horse’s 5 needs as you detail them above is a fresh and intelligent perspective that I think even experienced horse owners can take something good away from. Thanks again 🙂
I agree Sharon, it is all too easy to misplace our attention from the horse to our own thoughts, needs, wants, etc. 🙂 Of course, it’s easy to do that in any relationship that requires so much effort. I like to write these kinds of posts because it’s a great reminder for myself to look back at and go, “oh yeah, gotta do that!” 🙂