Horse and rider behaviour, injury and performance

Stable Science from Dr David Marlin's Animalweb

In this podcast, Dr David Marlin discusses the importance of understanding horse and rider behaviour to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance. David emphasises the need to move away from labelling horses as 'naughty' and instead focus on the underlying reasons for their behaviour, such as pain, confusion, and anxiety. The conversation explores how horses perceive their environment, including their acute hearing abilities, and how this can affect their reactions. David highlights the significance of recognizing conflict behaviours and their potential consequences for both horse and rider, advocating for a more empathetic and informed approach to equestrianism.

Points covered:

  • Understanding horse behaviour can reduce the risk of injury.
  • Pain and anxiety are common triggers for unwanted behaviours.
  • Horses have a different hearing range than humans.
  • Recognizing a horse's mood can improve training outcomes.
  • Training should focus on clear communication with the horse.
  • Horses may react to stimuli that riders cannot perceive.
  • The term 'naughty' is misleading in equestrian contexts.
  • Improving horse-rider communication enhances performance.

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