A Learned Horse
The Power of Observation.
An animal watches a behavior and copies that same behavior after determining that it is safe.
When animals observe each other it’s learning what is harmful and not harmful as well as determining what behaviors should be repeated or avoided.
Let’s use my own personal experience as an example.
I attempted to use my massage gun on a horse that was not familiar with massages or the massage gun. To show the horse that the massage gun was not harmful I demonstrated the use of the massage gun on myself. As the horse observed my behavior it soon understood that the massage gun was not harmful. Then I proceeded to use the massage gun on the horse and the horse was receptive.
This approach could be applied to other training exercises.
This is a great method to keep in mind that will help earn trust and set our horses up for success.
Since a horse is a prey animal we should be sensitive to certain innate traits.
Horses are curious and not opposed to learning new things.
Training can be a much more engaging and positive experience for our horse partners when we allow observation of other horses and ourselves.