01/23/2026
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐น๐ณ-๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป... can we teach horses to have it?
It's one of the most vital skills we can teach our horses because it moves them from a reactionary state to one of thoughtful focus. Many people are used to seeing horses that are either very stressed/anxious or completely shut down, yet both of these states are actually rooted in tension.
A horse that is self-regulated has the internal tools to bring his own energy levels back to a baseline of relaxation without needing physical restraint from a human. In fact, when we add equipment to restrain, we may stop a behavior, but we do not change the emotional state for the better. Instead, we oftentimes only make it worse.
Through the use of positive reinforcement, we can click and reinforce the exact moments when horses decides to take a breath, soften their muscles, or shift their attention back to us. This process teaches our horses that they have a choice in how they feel, which builds a foundation of true confidence rather than forced compliance.
The science behind this approach tells us that horses do not have a highly developed pre-frontal cortex, which means they are not capable of plotting/planning to be difficult or stubborn.
Instead, their behaviors are often survival mechanisms triggered by a lack of clarity or a feeling of being unsafe. When we act as behavioral analysts, we stop looking at horses as a set of fixed personality traits and start seeing their actions as responses to the environment.
By using a bridge signal like a clicker to identify calm behaviors, we help horses to understand exactly what we are looking for. This clarity reduces the anxiety that leads to spooking or bolting, as they begin to realize that they can control the outcome of the session by maintaining their own emotional balance.
Properly utilizing food as a reinforcer plays a massive role in helping horses regulate their own nervous system. When they chooses to chew, they're making a physiological choice to move out of a fight or flight state and into a more relaxed frame of mind.
This is why it is so important to provide a satisfying mouthful rather than being stingy with food reinforcement. If a horse is only getting a few crumbs, he can become frustrated and frantic, which keeps his dopamine levels in a constant state of seeking and sometimes- even agitation. When the prediction of the next dopamine hit is interrupted, it can become frustrating.
Context shifts are another area where self-regulation is put to the test, such as when you travel to a busy show or a new arena. In these new environments, sights and sounds act as overriding factors that can easily cause a horse to lose his focus. Instead of trying to force him to behave, we meet him where he is by using high-value reinforcers that help him bridge the gap between worry and the training.
By rewarding the smallest tries at relaxation in a scary place, we show our horses that they can feel safe even when the world around them is changing. Over time, horses learn to check in with the trainer and regulate their own arousal levels because they know that staying calm and present is the most reinforcing path forward. Itโs also the safest.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a horse who is a curious and confident learner who genuinely enjoys the process of working with people. This requires us to look past surface behaviors and address the underlying causes of tension, whether they stem from past trauma, physical pain, or simply a lack of understanding.
When we prioritize the emotional state of the horse, we develop a partnership built on a consistent commitment to trust rather than fear. A horse that can regulate his own energy is safer to be around and much more capable of performing complex tasks with ease.
By shifting our perspective to honor the horse as an intelligent and sentient individual, we create a training experience that is both compassionate and incredibly effective.
