Horse Care & The Impact On Training

Have you ever considered that how your horse lives has an impact in their ability to learn?

A horse’s living conditions can ultimately play a huge role on their trainability. The mental and emotional health which largely is the result of feeling safe, having needs met and having social engagement affects how well they can learn and their willingness.

1. Being in a confined space for extended periods of time

Horses are meant to be in open space and spend the day grazing along with some time resting. When they are confined and you only let them out to be worked, getting into that open space can make it harder for them to focus and work.

2. Routine

Where horses have been malnourished in the past, or even when they simply don’t have the option to graze, they can be stressed about when and where they’re next feed is. This stress has a flow-on effect to their training. Having a consistent routine for your horse helps to keep them more relaxed as they know what to expect and when.

3. Social engagement

Horses are a herd animal and also a prey animal. When they live solo it is hard for them to feel safe enough and relax properly. This alertness with lack of rest over a long period of time is damaging on the nervous system. It can make the horses irritable, lack focus, spook at everything or even incredibly lethargic.

4. Adequate roughage

Getting the right feed for your horse is a crucial part to having your horse in a good training brain. Some feeds can make your horse hot and anxious, give your horse a bloated upset belly or make them lethargic. Adequate roughage is important to keeping your horses’ digestive tract healthy and the horse full, relaxed and healthy.

5. Shelter

Horses love a good resting place for their midday nap. Providing an area for rolling, resting, getting out of the sun or weather is important to their daily routine and overall health.