Recognize anxiety before it's a problem

"Please go away."

“Study says most owners don’t recognize anxiety till there is an obvious behavior problem” Why would this be? One big reason is that most of us were taught to respond to horses’ behavior, not to their emotions. Each photo in this blog captures a scenario where a horse’s behavior might be termed disobedient. I’ll describe (A) how the situation was actually resolved by tuning in to emotions. Then I’ll describe (B) how a “behavioral” interpretation with a “correction” would likely cause problems.

Bronzz is hiding in the corner of his stall because the dentist has arrived.
(A) Recognizing his anxiety, the dentist waits outside his Personal Space, speaking quietly until he chooses to turn and face her. Bronzz is cooperative for dental work, no sedation needed.
(B) Having disrespectfully failed to turn and face the person who entered his stall, the horse is swatted on the butt, haltered, and sternly turned to face the dentist. Anxiety escalating, he tries to pull away. A smack on his neck increases his anxiety. Unable to stand still, he needs to be sedated.

"Uh oh. There might be something over there."

Brandy is alarmed by something she noticed in the next field.
(A) I acknowledge her concern by looking in that direction with her. When she is satisfied, she moves forward calmly with me.
(B) A tug on the lead immediately tells the horse to re-focus on her handler. Now she is extra worried because her handler is oblivious to her concern. A sharp word and swat with the lead convinces horse to move on, dancing with anxiety as she tries to divide her attention between potential danger and avoidance of more corrections.

"I don't understand why I have to do this AGAIN."

Shiloh is not worried about the tarp, which she has crossed for years, but a yawn can be a calming signal, indicating a horse needs to defuse tension. Possibly she is feeling tense because I have asked her to repeat this obstacle multiple times (for photos) and she is wondering why.
(A) I wait for the yawn, offer some encouraging words, and she re-focuses on the job at hand.
(B) Horse is refusing to go forward. A tap with a whip startles her and she freezes. Another tap has her backing up. She is now lunged (with rope or round pen) to re-assert handler’s control. When the obstacle is tried again, her focus is not on understanding handler’s communication; it’s on avoiding further corrections. The difference in these outcomes shows the value of recognizing the earliest signs of anxiety. This does not require years of studying horse behavior; it just takes empathy. Look at the horse and imagine what he is feeling. I think most of the people following my page are already pretty good at this. Let’s help other people get there too, even if it’s just by setting a good example!
Reference:
Perceptions of Fear and Anxiety in Horses as Reported in Interviews with Equine Behaviourists By Suzanne Rogers , Catherine Bell
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36359029/

Additional references and information in my book "What Horses Really Want: Unlocking the Secrets to Trust, Confidence, and Reliability". See below.

Brandy and Bronzz just look at their own pictures

Horses don’t care who’s in charge; they want to feel safe. Tuning in to their emotions is an essential part of earning trust and providing that security so they can become willing partners who look out for us because they know we are looking out for them. How to be that kind of partner, a Protector Leader, is the subject of my book, “What Horses Really Want: Unlocking the Secrets to Trust, Confidence, and Reliability.” Based on science (sources cited) and successful training techniques, focused on practical application with photo demonstrations.
Reader reactions: I can’t thank Lynn enough for this thoughtfully written, well organized book about a gentler, kinder and more understanding way with horses. I liked the review at the end of each chapter and “things to try”. Now my once stand-offish gelding meets ME at the gate with a whinny .My suggestion to you is, buy Lynn’s book!!! You will understand your horse in a new way and get greetings at the gate, too! – Debbie Lynn Acton’s book, What Horses Really Want, is an absolute gem in providing a treasure of new approaches, and a different take on traditional approaches to building trust and confidence in a horse. – Review in Horse Journal by Margaret Evans https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/general/horse-behaviour-psychology/book-review-what-horses-really-want
Where to buy it:
Amazon
Horse and Rider Books
It is also available in Polish from Galaktyka