Whispers from the Tent — From the Body Language of Horses

"The psychology of the horse is that of a browser. It does best with daily changes of scene. It needs to be taken from his stall as often as possible and, as they say way out west, "messed with." It wants to poke its nose into things, feel different textures beneath its feet and see different sights. If deprived of of these diversions it becomes bored and frustrated, even when given ample exercise under saddle. To relieve the monotony of 23 hours in the stall and one hour of hard work, grooming and cooling out, horses do the best they can. They tend to develop infuriating devices such as trying to knock down their stall doors with their hooves or gnawing at them with their teeth or nipping at humans who pass within reach. It follows that a horse given adequate diversion is one that is readier for work and more composed in the stall. To accept this reality, one need not over estimate or romanticize the powers of equine mentality one simply, must recognize that the brains of living creatures regulate their behavior."

— From the Body Language of Horses

Betty Finke photo