How Horses Think | Introduction to Horse Psychology
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- In this video we discuss basic theoretical differences between the human brain and horses brain and break down how that impacts our training. There is still a lot we don’t understand but work from people like Steve Peters and Janet Jones can help us fine tune our skills in working with our horses.
We also discuss 5 fundamentals to horse training including prioritization of overcoming fears.
The content we used to make this video comes from:
Nick Dowers Colt Starting - • Range Tested IV - Star...
“Evidence-Based Horsemanship” by Steve Peters PhD, and Martin Black
“Horse Brain Human Brain” by Janet L. Jones PhD”
And of course, Nacho Libre.
Happy Training, and Adios
As someone with a PhD in physiology and many years as a medical researcher and has a horseman, the modern trend of trainers talking about scientific theories of learning as if they are fact is becoming a big problem. I have yet to find actual studies of large groups of horse where serotonin is measured in real time against control groups under different learning conditions. Yet trainers are spreading the word as if it is fact rather than theory. Talking about brain anatomy or changes in endocrine function does not advance or alter a single thing about the way we work with a horse. We train horses based on our observations of their behaviour. Not on the level of serotonin or dopamine circulating in their central nervous system. I can only conclude it is a marketing ploy because it adds nothing to the way we train. There is nothing wrong with talking about a physiological theory of behaviour. But it is needs to be stressed it is only a theory and NOT a fact. As somebody trained in the rigorous pursuit of scientific understanding it bothers me greatly that what is nothing more than a theory is being sold as fact to non-scientifically trained horse owners for the pure purpose of marketing an idea. If we don't know enough to know what hard questions to ask of the science, we should not be discussing it. It does science, horse training and horses a disservice. Nobody wins except those trying to market their business.
Hi Ross, appreciate the feedback. You’re right that there is still a lot we don’t understand. I will make sure the description mentions that much of this content is based on theories. I would push back on two things here. First is that understanding brain anatomy doesn’t change the way we train a horse. Understanding that the portion of the brain that stores movement information takes up a larger percentage of a horses brain than a human brain makes me more empathetic as a trainer because it highlights potential holes in myself and forces me to be even more focused on signals I’m sending my horse. Now we’ve always known horses are sensitive to movement but reading the work of these two other PhD’s (in neurology) cited in the description (nobody agrees) opened my eyes to just how significant it is especially with more challenging horses. The second thing I would push back on is the idea that just because we don’t understand something in its entirety we shouldn’t talk about it. Science is about asking questions, developing theories, testing, and iterating on that process over and over again to try and further our understanding. Part of being human is doing the best with the information we have however imperfect it may be.
@@Stonefieldranch thanks for your response. I will say that since very few members of the horse public are trained in scientific method they don't know the hard questions to ask about the science. This leaves them believing the last thing they heard from the somebody with a PhD or with a training web site, whether it is right or wrong. Most trainers are getting their information from Peters writings or talks and don't know the questions to ask him, so they believe the theories he discusses. I see this as a problem. There is lot to discuss on this subject but this is your channel, not mine and I won't push further.Thanks again.
@@RossJacobsI think it's a bit presumptuous of you to imagine the average horse person is an unlearned schmoo that can't deal with scientific concepts, theories, and data. Just sayin'.
@@rhondab9792 it's not me that is treating horse people like they are ignorant. It's the trainers that espouse the bad science and expect their audience to swallow it. They do it and expect to get away with it because they assume the average horse owners are idiot. Your problem is with them, not me.
As a Ross admirer and experienced horseman, I would add that while the science is new and incomplete, it's worth thinking about and experimenting with. Just be aware that it's incomplete.
I started to work at a horse park 2 weeks ago. My co-workers gave me difference knowledge and I have been confused. You help me a lot. Thank you
I have read and own both “Evidence-Based Horsemanship” by Steve Peters PhD, and Martin Black and “Horse Brain Human Brain” by Janet L. Jones PhD of the two I liked Horse Brain Human Brain much more. She gave more evidence and up to date research on the data she presents in her book than Peters did. I like that a lot of what she postulates is backed up by fMRI results and solid peer reviewed research and then where she is just guessing or presenting her own opinion she calls it out clearly and gives evidence for why she believes what she does in those sections. The Jones book definitely changed the way I train horses, especially the segments on fMRI results showing how much time we really do need to be giving horses in release to more deeply implant memory and to prevent over stimulation. As with all books on horse cognition we need to remain skeptical and push on anything not established as proven fact to make sure it is indeed true but her book is so far the best book on the neurology of working with horses that I have read so far.
I agree. She is really sharp and we could have represented her more in this video. We’ll have to do a part two on this one.
Crazy the similarities to training dogs and the way they think
Thanks for this NICE HORSE INFORMATION WE APPRECIATE YOUR LOVING TIME EXPLAINING WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST 🦓🐎🐴🙏🙏🙏🙏
Really good video, explaing why and how is so vsluable. I found this very easy to follow.
Thank you
I had no idea about the brain of a horse...so fascinating. I watch/subscribe to several equine channels (along with yours)...some are breeding stables, some are rescues...they pretty much follow the ideas you have laid out. Most of the rescue horses have a lot of emotional trauma along with the health issues that come with neglect or abuse...and while most health issues can be dealt with, the emotional trauma lingers. I do think that kindness and firmness is perhaps the key to any successful training...and each horse is different. I can't wait to see your follow-up videos. I hope your channel does grow...I think 1000 subscribers affects the YT algorithm...just have to be patient it can take a while.
Thank you for your thoughts. You’re spot on. Rescue horses are really tough because horses have a phenomenal long term memory bank. My neighbor had a horse he saved from a kill pen and every time she get’s out everyone in the county brings their children inside. He’s asked me to come help with her a number of times and it’s like trying to herd a grizzly bear.
Great info, thank you! Would like to see info on starting with older horses who haven’t had much of any work.
wonderful!!!! never knew the extent of similarities and differences and whatnot, and such an extensive amount of info i never thought of! interesting stuff
Great Topic!
Horses have frontal lobes tho, it is just small. All mammals have frontal lobes, it just varies in size. Lots of what a horse is capable of would not be possible without that frontal lobe, even tho it is small.
😉🤗Thank you for sharing this with us 🤗brilliant explanation 🙏👌
"A trainers first job is to remove the fear". Dewayne Noel, Dry Creek Wranglers School.
Dwayne knows!
Relative to pay attention to your movements....this is, I feel, what separates decent riders from great ones..great riders who are really balanced and quiet and still are the ones that can get out of the horses way....I have noticed some of what makes the top riders is this...
Also, really like the stoic references...very good combination to horsemanship.
great plus elocution and sound are good we would need more on rthe topic,being an elderly person still riding ,i realised 20 years agoi had been missing communication
Thank you
Awesome!
You are pretty entertaining! Thank you!!
Hahaha. Thank you. Just subscribed to your channel as well. Thanks for watching.
Good Solid useful content 👍🤔🫵
u said fear for me when a horse gets scared or fear full that horse always goes for my back depending on the level of fear i might get a full body shake with the horse making contact on my lower back my issue is i my self lack fear and i am also diabetic i hate going low at the barn human help cant help me
For all of the horse people out there! Who would have ever connected Marcus Aurelius to horse training? Certainly a true application: “Be tough on yourself and understanding of others”
Thought is ephemeral. Behavior is instinctive.
Thank you Cowboy Captain America 🫡
who is here bc Cities of the Plain?
It's still easier than understanding the mind of a woman. Just say'n.
Awesome reply, hahaha.
Woman are just human like men!
Macho man !!! 😉🤣🤣🤣
If horses had frontal lobe we wouldn't be able to take them. 😮
💯