Anna Haines explains how horses learn – and the pitfalls of different methods

Photos: Jon Stroud

Understanding the way your horse learns is essential to get the best from him and develop a strong, trusting partnership. After all, horses are constantly learning – just like people! In fact, during every interaction you have with your horse he’s learning, so it’s important to ensure you’re communicating the right messages to him and recognising what he’s picking up.

Our expert

Anna Haines is a clinical animal behaviourist and full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, and has been a freelance equine behaviour consultant since 2012. She has a BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour, and an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, specialising in equines.

Tailored training

All horses are unique and learn at different speeds, some seeming to be much quicker than others. Their genetics and life experience play a part in how well they learn and how confident they are to try new things, but fundamentally all horses learn in the same way.

In recent years there have been great strides made in equitation science research, resulting in better understanding. These advances enable us to choose the most ethical methods to train our horses while at the same time also being more effective trainers.

The first step in developing a training plan is fully understanding your horse’s innate behaviours. These have evolved over millions of years to enable him to avoid potential threats – as a prey species it’s an essential part of staying alive. In order to stay safe, a horse is primed to activate his flight response at the slightest sense of danger. But some things that may make a horse feel threatened might not even register to us – this is often where the first breakdown in communication happens. However, when you consider your horse’s innate drive to escape rapidly from danger, you realise it’s incredible that he allows you to do most of the daily tasks you ask of him, from picking out feet to being ridden.