Understanding the Differences: How Being a Horse Explains Everything

Hi everyone, today I want to talk about something that I think is very important for anyone who wants to have a good relationship with their horse: the differences between horse brain and human brain.

You see, horses and humans are very different animals. We have evolved in different environments with different challenges and needs. Our brains reflect that. Horses have a much smaller cerebral cortex than humans, which is the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions like reasoning, planning, and problem-solving. Humans have a much larger cerebral cortex, which gives us the ability to think abstractly, creatively, and strategically.

Horses, on the other hand, have a much larger cerebellum than humans, which is the part of the brain that controls movement, balance, and coordination. Horses also have a much larger amygdala than humans, which is the part of the brain that processes emotions, especially fear. Horses are prey animals, so they have evolved to be very sensitive to threats and to react quickly and instinctively to them. Humans are predators, so we have evolved to be more curious and adventurous and to overcome our fears with logic and courage.

These differences mean that horses and humans see the world very differently. Horses rely more on their senses than their thoughts. They are very aware of their surroundings, their body language, and their feelings. They learn by doing, by trial and error, by repetition, and by association. They don't understand concepts like "why", "what if", or "later". They live in the present moment, not in the past or the future.

Humans rely more on their thoughts than their senses. We are very good at analyzing, interpreting, and predicting. We learn by understanding, by reasoning, by imagination, and by communication. We can grasp concepts like "why", "what if", or "later". We can remember the past and plan for the future.

These differences can create misunderstandings and conflicts between horses and humans. Sometimes we expect our horses to think like us, to understand our intentions, to follow our instructions, to share our goals. But horses don't think like us. They don't understand our intentions, they don't follow our instructions, they don't share our goals. They have their own motivations, their own preferences, their own fears.

One of the most common mistakes that humans make with horses is forcing them to overcome their fears. We think that if we expose them to something scary enough times, they will eventually get used to it and stop being afraid. We think that if we make them do something they don't want to do, they will respect us and obey us.

But this is not how horses work. Forcing a horse to overcome its fears does not make it less afraid. It makes it more afraid. It makes it afraid of the scary thing AND of us. It makes it associate us with pain, pressure, stress, and danger. It makes it lose its confidence in itself and in us. It makes it obey us out of fear, not out of respect or partnership.

So, how can we help our horses overcome their fears? By empathizing with them. By understanding how they see the world, how they learn, and how they feel. By respecting their boundaries, their needs, and their choices. By giving them time, space, and support. By building trust, communication, and connection.

Empathy is the key to a good relationship with your horse. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes, to see things from their perspective, to feel what they feel. Empathy is not sympathy or pity or indulgence. Empathy is not letting your horse do whatever it wants or avoiding anything that might scare it or challenge it. Empathy is not being soft or weak or passive.

Empathy is being compassionate and respectful and assertive. Empathy is letting your horse know that you care about its well-being and happiness. Empathy is helping your horse grow and learn and enjoy life with you. Empathy is being strong and confident and proactive.

Empathy is what makes us human. And empathy is what makes our horses love us.