Horses and Humans

Horses and humans share fascinating behavioral similarities, especially given our long history of connection. Recently, my husband and I have purchased two separate properties and now showing foundation appaloosas with the assistance of my best friend from Spokane, Washington. I am loving how life has come full circle and looking forward to retirement and travel.

Social Creatures: Both horses and humans thrive in social settings. Horses live in herds with clear hierarchies, while humans form communities and relationships for companionship, collaboration, and survival. Both species feel stress or discomfort when isolated.

Non-Verbal Communication: Horses rely heavily on body language to express emotions and intentions; such as ear positions, tail swishing, and head movements. Humans, while more verbal, also use non-verbal cues like gestures and facial expressions to communicate.

Learning Through Observation: Horses learn by observing others in their herd, and humans often pick up skills and behaviors in similar ways. Both respond well to positive reinforcement during training and learning experiences.

Emotional Sensitivity: Horses are incredibly attuned to the emotions of others, responding to changes in tone, posture, or mood. Humans also empathize with and react to the emotions of those around them, making emotional awareness a shared trait.

Fight or Flight: Both species have fight-or-flight responses to perceived threats. Horses, being prey animals, tend to favor flight, but they can stand their ground if needed—similar to how humans assess situations and respond with either confrontation or avoidance.

Rituals and Habits: Horses establish daily routines and can become distressed if these are disrupted. Humans, too, rely on habits and routines for structure and comfort.

The shared behaviors contribute to the strong bond between humans and horses, allowing us to understand and work with them effectively.