The Things that Set Horses Apart from Humans - By: Justin Davis

Basically, horses are prey animals with an admirable flight and fight instinct. Usually, their response when their security is threatened is to retreat, find a place where they are at their vantage point in defending their young or their herd. Though they have a strong sense of territorial domain and hesitancy towards anything that pose as a threat to them, they are able to develop companionship to people who treat them well. They communicate through different forms of vocalizations such as whinnying, nuzzling and other forms of body language that they are capable of.

Caring for horses requires formal education. Schools for horse trainers, breeders, horse riders and businessmen offer various courses from the A to Z of training to breeding. Books, on the other hand, offer non-formal education but serve only as guides and information, mostly, are limited compared to a formal schooling that offers hands-on close contact with horses, various procedures and demonstrations.

Although a handful of information materials such as books, the internet and hobbyist magazines about horse are readily available, there are few first things that you have to know and understand such as horse anatomy, temperament, communication, behavior and among others.

You have to understand that horses do not have muscles in its legs below the knees and hocks, thus it is vital to protect them from injuries with the use of horseshoes. As the hooves continually grow, trimming every five to eight weeks is necessary. Their digestive system is adapted to accommodate up to 24 pounds of food and 38 liters of water daily thus it is necessary that they are continuously supplied with food and water. Horses are incapable of vomiting, thus are more prone to colic which can lead to fatalities.

Although horses are known for their flight and fight instinct, horses are referred to as gentle giants once they realize that there are no threats around them. Race horses are generally more sensitive and energetic while draft breeds are quieter and calmer. Thus you have to know when to stand ground and when not to.

Horses have a their way of communicating and letting their feelings be known in a number of ways through whinnying, nuzzling, body language and instincts thus it is best to be familiar with the different emotions that they show. The ears, which communicate several dispositions, are primarily used to catch attention while the head is used to show disobedience or defiance.

As opposed to human beings who are capable of talking and communicating their needs, horses cannot, thus it is vital that a horse trainer or breeder learn the various body language of a horse to be able to know when a horse is hungry, sick, attacked or simply happy with your presence.

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