Horse Behavior

In order to understand horse behavior, it is first necessary to understand what motivates it, and in a word it is fear. horses will refuse to eat, sleep, or procreate if they feel threatened or afraid. This is why horses congregate or herd, for there is safety in numbers. It is vital to understand the horse's natural herding behavior, as well as specific individual behavior.

The horse is above all else a herding animal: memorize this fact and let it guide you in your dealings with these noble creatures of grass and sunlight. Nature has designed these swift-footed beings to live among others of their kind, and this plan is highly successful, contributing to the safety, health, and overall psychological well being of each individual. In fact, this design has proven so successful that horses have been galloping on the planet for over 50 million years.

The Age of Maturity
Individual horses mature at different ages. As a general rule, a filly or colt should be handled from birth, but not 'backed' (taught to carry a rider until at least the summer of its third year. As with humans, the learning process is never fully complete. Most horses, however, reach mental maturity at around seven or eight years old, when their behavior generally becomes calmer and more accepting.

Does age or gender affect behavior?
Training is the crucial factor that determines behavior—not age or gender. Mares, although calmer than stallions, are prone to unpredictability due to regular seasons (estrus cycles) that may, in some cases, lead them to become unsuitable for competitions or riding by young children. Geldings are generally preferred as riding horses, due to their calmer nature and more even temperament. Establishing alpha status to control horse behavior. In terms of age, horses behavior varies from animal to animal, although generally horses over the age of eight are calmer and more mature in their attitudes, particularly in unfamiliar or potentially stressful surroundings.