KBR Horse Training Information Exercising Body AND Mind Horse Training Mythbusters Part Four

The lowered head. Head carriage (elevation) can be a fairly good indicator as to how "on alert" or how stressed a horse might be. A high headed horse is usually one ready to take some kind of action (flight or fight.) There is an axiom that states that the lower a horse holds his head, the more relaxed he is. This may be true to a point. We often ask new horse handlers to observe and compare how high the horse is holding his head as they engage in training activities, the object being for them to get the horse to respond without increasing his anxiety level, and more desirably, work the horse and have his anxiety level actually decrease during those activities. There is a point where a stressed horse may drop his head and simply "tune out." In our experience this is indicative of total stress overload. Instead of taking flight or engaging in a fight, the horse simply checks out. Some horses seem to be more prone to this behavior than others. Again, the horse's entire presentation will help provide clues as to what a particular horse's head posture means. Is the raised head due to stress or curiosity? Is the horse's head lowered because he is relaxed or is the head lowering an extreme gesture that suggests avoidance or just "checking out?" In any event a "level head" is generally the most desirable posture with ears moving, eyes alert and a reasonably relaxed neck and jaw.

This horse displays intense stress in his extreme head stance which is also accompanied by rigid eyes, ears and jaw. Bringing this mare "back to the present," getting her attention with a target after she "checked out."

Please note that this feature is still under development and is incomplete until such time as this notice is removed. Return to Part Three   RECOMMENDED READING LIST The following books are recommended for those of you interested in learning more about horse behavior and equine instinctive characteristics. Understanding Horse Behavior Sue McDonnell, PhD A basic text describing horse behaviors based on feral (free roaming) horse observations. The Equid Ethogram, A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior Sue McDonnell, PhD A more advanced "catalog" with descriptions and images of instinctive horse behaviors. These books are available at reasonable prices through the LRTC Wild Horse Store. Press "Back" to return to the page that brought you here Go to Case Study Section Return to Training Section Return to Wild Horse Mentors Return to KBR World of Wild Horses and Burros Go To KBR Horse Net KBR Horse Training Information, © 2005 Lamm's Kickin' Back Ranch and Willis & Sharon Lamm. All rights reserved. Duplication of any of this material for commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. This prohibition is not intended to extend to personal non-commercial use, including sharing with others for safety and learning purposes, provided this copyright notice is attached. Email us to submit comments or request reproduction permission.