The journey to the horses brain Part 1-some facts

Inspired by the book " Horse brain, human brain" from Janet Jones, Ph.D.
and "Understand horses" :courses.understandhorses.com/courses/understanding-the-equine-brain
and several videos,  articles and other books I read about this.
 
This is the start on the journey of the horses brain and how it is similar, but also very different to our human brain. I am starting this journey here with some interesting facts.
​Hopefully, these facts will give you some "oh "effects and will be helpful for you to understand some behaviour of your horse better. Enjoy the journey to your horses brain. : )

Why do I spend so much time on research and study?
As a horse bodyworker and Coach for riders it is essential for me to stay up to date to expand my knowledge. This is very beneficial for my work with you and your horse.
My treatments are successful and effective because I have the knowledge about anatomy, biomechanics BUT  also the brain and nervous system of the horse.
Through my energetic work I am connecting to horses nervous system. I need to interact with the horse constantly, to get the the responses that the body needs to release tension, relief pain and get back into a balanced state for body, mind and soul.  

So here are some facts about the horses brain you may not have heard of:

• The brain of a horse is actually not the size of a walnut: Its about the size of a grapefruit and weights about 750grams to 1kg. Pretty big walnut...haha
• Equine brains are engineered to sense, and interpret the equine world. Means: Where is the best grass? Where is the water? Is it safe here to lay down? What's that noise? How is the rest of the herd doing? is the alpha mare concerned or still relaxed?
• These brains are not designed to take in and interpret our human world, but we always ask them to do so. We also expect them to understand US.
• The equine brain has evolved millions of years ago and there are lots of things that horses can learn and the brain can be "modified" or " shaped" to their domestic life now, but there are certain instincts that we cannot train out of them. Just modify or adapt these instincts to the tasks we asks them to do.
• Brains are changing physically throughout adulthood through daily learning ( just like in humans) 
• Every time you and your horse are experiencing something new or important, new connections between brain cells are formed. With repetitive use these connections become persistent in the brain. You can imagine this is important to know for the learning of new things: It takes time!
• Within the evolutionary changes in the horses body ( if you look at the origin horse in the picture below from www.cavalloinc.com) the brain had to adapt the sensory organs. Means the vision, hearing, smell etc.

• 35 millions years of evolution still tells the horses brain that being restricted or confined is a threat. They are not able to escape the predator. That's why being tied up or loading on a trailer needs to be trained slowly and with caution as the horse needs to overcome or reduce their natural instinct 
• Blocking the horses sideview is the same. We do it all the time when leading them through narrow passages 
• Unexpected sights or sounds are triggering these instincts as well ( you will read more about the senses of the horse in the next Blog) such as short rapid movements or low volume sounds. So it is better to approach a horse with making normal sounds than sneaking quietly behind them: Important for cyclists to know, to make a normal sound or talk before approaching a horse from distance behind so they know its not a tiger coming from behind
• Horses are prey animals, so their brain is different to a predators brain ( such as ours)
• Prey animals have their eyes at the side of the head for surveying a wide horizontal range for potential threats
• Prey animals live in groups/heard to have the most protection. That's why horses fear isolation, being separated from their mates means stress and lost of safety. YOU have to be the mate then and provide your horse safety.
  
• Last fact for today: Domesticating horses started about 6000 years ago. Since then, artificial selection has happened through breeding. Characteristics that are useful have been breed into todays horses to make them easier to train, more calm, be able to adjust to captivity and allow human contact.
  
•  BUT although horses have " improved" their natural fears through domestication, they still have     their natural instincts that we have to be aware of when managing and training and riding them.

I hope you gained some useful information from these facts. Next time I will start with the senses of a horse. There is a lot to know about their eyesight, hearing, smell etc. that will help to understand why they behave the way they do in certain situations we all have experienced with our horses quite often. 

More understanding results in better and more horse orientated communication and training.
For more happy horses and riders!
For the love of horses,
​Britta