HOMEM Do Cavalo

28/01/2024

Quem me representa na política?
(Ou talvez devêssemos nos perguntar ‘quem se importa comigo?)
As necessidades da sociedade são praticamente inesgotáveis.
Particularmente em nosso Estado e região e nos últimos tempos elas foram potencializadas por acontecimentos extremos e que exigiam ações urgentes e imediatas.
Mais vezes do que deveria ocorrer não tivemos a resposta necessária.
E isto me trouxe inúmeros questionamentos.
Na atualidade as lideranças formais em muitos casos priorizam seus próprios interesses em detrimento dos cidadãos.
Existe a preocupação com a propaganda mas não com a efetiva realização de ações.
Muitas fotos e poucas ações.
Mais do que isto, porém, a falta de canais eficazes para a expressão das necessidades da população levanta questões cruciais sobre quem realmente nos representa e se há um verdadeiro interesse em compreender e atender às nossas necessidades.
Assim, penso que ao avaliarmos a representatividade na política é crucial considerar:
• Canais de acesso: Avalie se há meios eficientes para os cidadãos se comunicarem com as lideranças. Você tem contato com a frequência que gostaria com quem elegeu? Aliás, lembra em quem votou?
• Escuta ativa: Verifique se há uma genuína disposição para ouvir e compreender as necessidades da população. Que canal é disponibilizado por seu representante para conversar com ele? Ele se preocupa com isto?
Dentro deste contexto, e considerando que já atuei na condição de dirigente de inúmeras entidades coletivas, vejo com bastante reserva a apresentação de ‘promessas de campanha’ ou de realizações que pretende executar
Porque?
Porque poucas vezes as lideranças se dão conta de que são ‘representantes’, ou seja, não estão ali atuando e agindo no interesse próprio, mas sim no interesse dos representados, de modo que são as necessidades e interesses dos cidadãos que deverão ser considerados.
Dentro deste contexto, então, é que surge a pergunta “Quem realmente se importa?”.
A partir aí é interessante que tenhamos presentes dois (2) pontos que considero fundamentais:
• Interesses alinhados: Analise se as ações políticas refletem um compromisso real com os interesses da comunidade. E principalmente com os seus interesses. Afinal, ele deve ser o seu representante.
• Transparência: Busque por transparência nas decisões e prioridades políticas. O teu representante presta conta dos atos que realiza? Aliás, ele realiza algum ato?
Você irá ver que muitas vezes não seus aqueles que seriam seus representantes que resolvem os seus problemas.
Se isto ocorre penso está na hora de trocar de representante.
É necessário rever e repensar nossa postura em relação a eleição e política.
Não é uma coisa com a qual os outros devem se preocupar.
Já passou da hora de escolhermos lideranças comprometidas com a representação verdadeira dos cidadãos.
Isto é fundamental.
A escolha correta de líderes é crucial para garantir que as vozes da população sejam ouvidas e que as ações políticas estejam alinhadas com as necessidades reais.
Em um cenário onde a representatividade na política é desafiada é imperativo que os cidadãos avaliem a disponibilidade de canais de comunicação, a escuta ativa por parte das lideranças e a sinceridade no compromisso com os interesses da população.
A urgência na escolha criteriosa de líderes é a chave para garantir uma governança que verdadeiramente se importe com aqueles que representa.
Na verdade que nos represente, que é realmente o papel a ser exercido.

07/01/2024

Liderança sincera e coletiva: o caminho para uma administração pública transparente e eficaz como eu quero

Em meio às complexidades e desafios enfrentados pela sociedade, a necessidade de líderes verdadeiros, sinceros e honestos na administração pública torna-se mais premente do que nunca. No cerne dessa demanda está a urgência de líderes que não apenas promovam seus interesses pessoais, mas que estejam genuinamente comprometidos com o bem coletivo. Este artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre a importância da liderança transparente e colaborativa, destacando a incompatibilidade de líderes que agem em detrimento da coletividade.

A liderança autêntica, aquela que é permeada pela sinceridade e honestidade, é um fator essencial para o sucesso e a resiliência de uma sociedade. Na administração pública, essa característica é ainda mais crucial, uma vez que os líderes desempenham um papel fundamental na tomada de decisões que impactam diretamente a vida dos cidadãos. No entanto, a realidade muitas vezes nos confronta com líderes que, ao invés de unir esforços, contribuem para a desunião e a ineficácia do sistema.

Um aspecto preocupante é a incapacidade de certos líderes de trabalharem em conjunto com outros líderes, resultando em conflitos prejudiciais ao desenvolvimento coletivo. Esses líderes, em curto espaço de tempo, entram em atrito com seus pares, demonstrando uma relutância em aceitar perspectivas divergentes e colaborar para o bem comum. Essa postura egocêntrica e inflexível revela uma prioridade distorcida, onde os interesses pessoais se sobrepõem à necessidade premente de servir à coletividade.

É essencial compreender que um verdadeiro líder não se define apenas pelo cargo que ocupa, mas pela capacidade de inspirar e mobilizar outros para alcançar objetivos comuns. Líderes autênticos valorizam a colaboração, a diversidade de pensamento e a construção de parcerias sólidas. Ao contrário, aqueles que impõem sua vontade de forma autoritária e não toleram opiniões divergentes revelam uma fragilidade na essência de sua liderança.

Em situações de calamidade ou urgência, a verdadeira natureza de um líder é posta à prova. É nesses momentos cruciais que a falta de coesão e colaboração se torna evidente. Líderes que priorizam seus interesses pessoais em detrimento da coletividade mostram-se incapazes de tomar decisões eficazes em prol do bem comum. O egoísmo e a falta de empatia se tornam barreiras intransponíveis, prejudicando a capacidade de resposta e a eficiência na gestão de crises.

Portanto, é imperativo que como sociedade, estejamos atentos e críticos em relação à liderança que emerge em nosso cenário público. Devemos questionar e rejeitar líderes que não demonstram habilidades de colaboração, que não aceitam o contraditório e que colocam seus interesses pessoais acima do bem coletivo. A transparência, a integridade e a capacidade de trabalhar em equipe são as características fundamentais que devemos buscar em nossos líderes, especialmente nos momentos mais desafiadores.

Em última análise, a construção de uma administração pública verdadeiramente eficaz requer a promoção de líderes que compreendam a importância de servir à coletividade com sinceridade e dedicação. A liderança deve transcender o ego individual, abraçando a responsabilidade de moldar um futuro coletivo próspero e justo. Ao fazermos escolhas conscientes e críticas em relação aos nossos líderes, contribuímos para a construção de uma sociedade mais justa, transparente e resiliente.
E nós só temos uma arma: o voto.

29/12/2023

Eu poderia desejar que alcançasses muitas coisas em 2.024!

Mas sem tua participação.

Teu envolvimento.

Teu comprometimento.

Isto não aconteceria.

Então eu te desejo!

Novos desafios e .... superação.

Fé e ..... esperança.

Ambição e .... determinação.

Sonhos e ..... realizações.

Trabalho e .... conquistas

Que o próximo ano seja repleto de momentos significativos, crescimento pessoal e profissional, e que você encontre força interior para alcançar todas as metas que almeja.

Que a jornada de 2.024 seja marcada por aprendizado, prosperidade e, acima de tudo, uma dose extra de coragem para enfrentar cada passo do caminho. Feliz Ano Novo!

25/12/2023

Que neste NATAL
o MENINO JESUS encha nossos corações
com amor,
bondade,
fé
e esperança
e nos dê forças para sonharmos
e construirmos
um Ano Novo
repleto de alegria,
amor
e realizações.
Feliz Natal e um Ano Novo especial,
Lembrando que na verdade isto só depende de nós.

04/12/2023

11/07/2023

WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING YOUR HORSE?

Memories are funny things and the way our brain recalls a memory is even funnier.

I have travelled a lot in my life and after one particular trip to Europe, my friend and I were re-telling tales of our trip to some friends. I talked about the streets of Helsinki and the airport chaos in Zurich and the ancient monuments in Rome. Meanwhile, my friend talked about the coffee in Rome, the restaurant we ate in Helsinki, and the cheesecake we had at Zurich airport. We were both there at the same places at the same time, but our memories of our trip were a little different. Our brains processed our memories to highlight the aspects that were most important to each of us.

I have wondered if horses do that too.

I think I am teaching my horses focus, clarity, and softness when I enter the paddock or the arena. But since I always wear my chaps, what if I am teaching them focus, clarity, and softness only when somebody with chaps enters their life? It is an easy experiment to test this theory. However, I can only test these things if I am aware they exist. But what if I don’t know there are differences between what I think I am teaching my horse when my horse thinks I am teaching it?

I was helping a student with a horse that had a poor response to a rider’s leg. Forwardness seemed a foreign concept to it. Yet, when the rider picked up a riding crop there was an instant change in the forward response to the rider’s leg. The student didn’t even have to apply the crop to their horse, just carry it. In the student’s mind, they had been teaching their horse to think forward when they applied their leg. But in their horse’s mind, it was learning to think forward when the crop was carried. The rider and the horse had very different memories and interpretations of the same lesson. The rider thought it was obvious, but the horse never linked the association of the ‘rider’s leg = forward’ and was stuck at ‘crop = forward’.

I might teach my horse to line up to the stump so that I can mount with ease. Pretty soon my horse lines up at the stump when it sees me step on it. What if I am not teaching my horse to line up to a mounting block because in its mind it has learned to only line up to that particular stump or only to any stump but not a fence or step ladder? Horses are visual learners, so familiarity with a stump comes easier than feeling that same level of comfort with all objects I use to mount my horse. They struggle to extrapolate mounting from a stump as being the same as mounting from a fence or a gate or a step ladder or a trailer fender.

Many times at clinics I have come across horses that load into a trailer with very little trouble. The owner thinks they have taught their horse to trailer load. Then one day they buy a new trailer or they try to load with an extra horse or they want to load in a different bay of the trailer. Suddenly their perfect trailer-loading horse is not so perfect. The owner sees loading in a different trailer or different bays or with a different travelling companion as no different and no more challenging than the trouble-free experience it has always been. But in the horse’s mind, they are being asked to load in a trailer that doesn’t look or smell or feel like it has always been. The owner thinks they trained their horse to trailer load - end of story. But in the horse’s mind, it has been trained to load only in a trailer where everything is perfectly familiar - nothing out of place. It doesn’t have confidence in being asked to trailer load per se. It only has confidence in trailer loading when everything about the trailer is comfortably familiar.

It’s easy to kid ourselves that when we ask a horse a question and we reward for the answer we want, we are teaching the lesson we want our horse to learn. That’s because we know the end game. We know why we asked the question. Horses don’t have that advantage. They don’t know the ultimate goal. They live in the moment and have to deal with everything that happens at the moment. We must learn to see our training as the horse sees it and realize there is more to Rome than great coffee and ancient ruins.

The way to minimise the risk of thinking we are teaching a horse one thing when they are actually learning something else is to not focus on teaching tasks or jobs. Rather, teach your horse to focus, connect with you, and follow your feel. Don’t stop at teaching your horse to stand next to a mounting block or to walk into a trailer. Instead, teach it to go with you, be with you. So if you ask your horse to load into an unfamiliar trailer, it’s not a new lesson. If you ask your horse to load halfway into the trailer then stop and standstill, it’s not a new lesson. If you ask it to line up next to a mounting block or a fence or stump or on the opposite side, these things are not new lessons. They are all just part of the same lesson of teaching your horse to be with you and follow your feel.

If you can do that you avoid the pitfalls of your horse just learning a job. Instead, they learn to work with you and trust your ideas with every step. If you only teach a horse to do jobs you are only teaching tricks and they will fail you when the circumstances change.

11/07/2023

𝐓𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬.

Think of our basics needs, like shelter, running water, food, and if you’re fortunate bathing, brushing your hair and teeth. And if you’re absolutely blessed socialising and being apart of society.
Now, imagine if even one of those things were taken from you? Say brushing your teeth or socialising do you think you’d be able to perform in your daily life to the 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲?

We wouldn’t expect our children to function without their basic needs met and we shouldn’t expect our horses to either.

More often than not, horses are stalled for hours on end if not permanently and only get out for exercise, competitions and more exercise. Those horses basic needs are not being met. 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝, 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠.

It’s our responsibility to make sure our horses basic needs are met, no matter who we are or what we do with our horses.

𝐀 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞… 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞.

Written By - The fearful rider

Art Work By - Dorota Kudyba Art

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11/07/2023

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING.. are these our wisest aids ?

François R. de La Guérinière (18th century):
“Knowledge of the nature of the horse is one of the cornerstones of the Art of riding; and all horsemen should make it a main point of study... Without this theory, practice is always uncertain."

Alexis L’Hotte (19th century):
“Nature is the first of all masters. Its book is the fairest, most knowledgeable of all books... the most useful to consult.”

Philippe Karl (21st century):
"The mouth is a crossroad of numerous biomechanical synergies. Strong or continuous pressures on the tongue or sensitive bars are painful and traumatic, physically and pshychologically.

Nowadays, we have enough knowledge (physiology, biomechanics, motion, balance, ethology) to reject counter-nature riding concepts. Therefore let us study how to put the horse 'on the bit' by the light of these sciences.".............................................................

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT KNOWING:
In a mindset of 'submission' and from the position of low hands with tightly closed fists, the only option is to pull backwards. This leads to an inward brace of forceful pulling or 'sawing' the reins, and a stiff back to still hold or push with the legs. Riders fixate on enforcing control and immediate obedience, there is no consent or harmony, no dignity, elegance or grace.

The lower the hand, the harder it acts on the hypersensitive tongue. Why this obsession with low handed riding? Tightly cranked nosebands preventing or stifling the horse's protests only make it worse, and more cruel.

In natural defence, horses attempt to protect their tongue by pulling it up out of the way, over the bit, to the side, or out. Failing that, they grind the teeth in tension and pain.

What on earth possesses an instructor to then advise a student to tighten a nose band for more torture? Without a chance for mutual conversation or dialogue, without a right of reply, the horse then reduced to a mindless senseless machine - a tool of sport or whim. I ask, is that why you wanted to have a horse?

UNDERSTAND YOUR ACTIONS
o Educate your mind and your hands, don't accuse the horse
o Understand the massive forces involved on frail structures
o Understand the consequences, short and long term
o Know the difference between prejudices & principles
o Ask questions, observe, reflect and reassess.
o Find confidence from curiosity, seek horse knowledge.

Edited 11/7/23: This post is about being aware of learning how to use your hands thoughtfully to communicate and teach with kind compassion, knowing why, and knowing how different positions and actions impact a horse. Whatever is in your hands. Be it a bit, a bitless or a neck rope. Knowledge and a kind heart directs a kind hand. Any gear can do harm in the thoughtless hands. We must fully understand the impact of what WE do with what we use.

Susie 🤔

Illustration below from Philippe Karl in "Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage" showing the problem, and what not to do.

11/07/2023

My mum's words "Humbling when I think how much a horse can give that has nothing to do with riding....
My personal pondering for what it is worth.
The horse's eye sees us in full detail. Truly sees us. They know our soul and spirit. They see our hearts. They keep our secrets.
I have cried into my horse's mane when my heart was broken. My horse's have seen my vunerbility and known my pain and offered space to heal. Merlot my soul companion taught me profound life lessons. I rescued him from an abusive place and full circle he rescued me. Ruby my earth angel saw my suffering and heart ache when Steve was having treatment for leukemia. She offered her wise gentle love and space to just be. Kez stood over me as a warrior healer while I went through treatment for breast cancer.
The friendship with a horse is profound, deep and unconditional. These relationships can last lifetimes and be longer than ones we share with fellow humans.
Those who cannot see a horses soul haven't looked deeply enough. The eyes are the window to the soul. It is something you feel.
Yes our horses are way more than hopes and dreams. Kez has taught me that what started out as a riding dream that got shattered....the love for my horse is more than my dream. The changes that unraveled as the non ridden door opened have taken us places and we have connected with so many like minded people.
Physical health and wellness, mental well-being and spiritual growth....horses can give us the opportunity to improve mind, body and soul. Kez saw me so frail, week and sick. This wise soul knows. My horse has been there every single step of the way. Never waivering his part in helping me to get well.
What do horses see when they look at us?"

Photo - portrait of Kez's eye. A3 size soft pastels.

29/06/2023

01/06/2023

Pinturas das CABANHAS DA AGUIA E DA ESTRELA e DO HOMEM DO CAVALO.
E o pintor é o HERCULES DO ARROIO DO CERRO.
Garanta sua cobertura.

15/05/2023

What Wild Horses Have Taught Me
I was asked a very smart question several weeks ago, and thought I'd share my view points and experiences with mustangs and what they’ve taught me, along with working with domestic horses....

I have had horses much of my life I’ve been around them since I was little but being among the wild horses for so many years now, watching behaviors and dynamics of horse, band, and herd - over the seasons as well, I have learned more about finite behaviors and social structures which I can also apply to domestic horses. I am much more understanding of their responses or lack of responses, and much more patient rather than reacting to them as though they were overgrown toddlers, so to speak. The less pressure and the less pain applied the better... the gentler a handler is the less resistant and more responsive a horse will be when learning what is being taught them. And the quieter one works with them, the harder they try to listen, and the faster there is a connection. With gentler handling, they actually look forward to interactions and activities such as riding. Understanding is optimized when we take time to see things from the horse's point of view.
The nuts and bolts of what I've learned from wild horses..

Forage- I am not a vet and everyone does what works best for their own horses, but it’s been eye-opening how well mustangs do in the wild on what to some looks like very little if any sustenance. We’ll walk between sagebrush on literally nothing but dust and dirt and some may find it alarming. But in the dry summer and autumn months one can find forage growing in the shadows of brush and juniper. They graze literally most of the day, and travel to water sources for miles. The feed has really opened my eyes that sometimes simpler is better and that perhaps supplements are not as necessary or somewhat over-rated and may even cause problems whether in hoof growth or development, foundering, or various internal ailments. The mustangs are often observed digging out and licking natural mineral holes on the mountain, and testing at OS revealed significant levels of potassium among other minerals and the horses think it tastes like candy. I tried it, and it does not taste like candy lol . Overfeeding, or not enough feeding throughout a day, rich feeds and some supplements may cause problems for some horses, including internal distress (horses cannot vomit, and some have painful or lethal bouts of colic). Consistency, or regular grazing, or more frequent meals are beneficial to the equine digestive tract.

Parasites- Mustangs are less likely to eat soiled areas as they are not concentrated in a paddock or other enclosure and have room to roam, and one of the reasons we never see their piles with any internal parasites, and I’ve kicked over my share of mustang and stud piles to inspect forage consumption and worms…. never ever have I found evidence of parasites in their waste. Not only that, but as a side benefit their biproduct re-seeds the range. In addition, wild horses also nibble sagebrush, even will snack on it when forage is poor in the winter. Sagebrush we've learned is natural internal parasite control. Domestics need to be wormed every 8 weeks or so in contrast.

Hooves- I have also learned about horse hooves in nature, when they are able to move on rough rocky ground often rather than stay standing in a paddock or stall with soft bedding or ground cover their hooves self manicure. Rough ground and movement is a great benefit, keeping their hooves neat and tidy. Mustangs are always moving, whether running, chasing, battling, walking, moving on rocks or wading through water- all very good for their "wild feet".

Biology- Hormones are the ruler of the horse. In the wild they rule the individual horse, the band, and the herds as a whole- essential for natural free-roaming wild horses. We tend to be more patient knowing this with our domestic mares and stallions, and on the flip side, even understand more the occasional listlessness, lack of energy, or even docile manners of some of our altered animals such as domestic geldings. It has been especially fascinating to see how well stallions get along together in the wild as well (when they're not "talking" about mares 😉 ). Sometimes I'll think about domestic stallions in their confined spaces.
However, in a domestic situation, it is never advised to suddenly turn out a stallion (which may be accustomed to isolation) with others. I am merely sharing that in the wild, mustang stallions often grow up together, interact, and enjoy one another, run in bachelor bands, play together, and groom each other (again, that is until one of them says “mares lol ). Further interesting is not all bands are structured with one stallion as is popularly believed- we have dual or partnering co-stallions, both overseeing a harem in which they are equal in hierarchy (though each with their own mare alliance). Both stallions work together to protect their complete band. There are also bands with one dominant band stallion but has a “Lieutenant” stallion who will submit, but works hard tending to the band such as keeping them all together or running off intruders. Then there are bands with one dominant band stallion but has got a rogue stallion stalking or trailing, or a bunch of hopeful young bachelors following. Bottom line, in nature, there are many scenarios of stallions which are used to and good at… and some rather enjoy, interacting with others and other stallions.

Blanketing- I am also less likely to blanket my horses in the winter unless it gets in severe cold below 20°f as that would impede them to grow good thick heavy coats to keep them warm through the rest of the cold season. I’ve seen this over the years the winter coat growth on horses both with blankets and those without. There is a difference.
I looked through vet materials that have stated that equines are comfortable between temperatures of 55-15f degrees. That cold end tolerance was a surprise to me.

Movement- I also am much more aware of the area that my horse is contained in, and prefer stall use with open access to outdoor areas like paddocks or pastures. From watch horses, their daily movement and interactions, I am much more aware of horses standing in stalls for days on end or more, and those without other horse interactions. My hope for those is that if there aren’t other horses, that their humans are interactive with them and have stimulating things, activities, or toys to occupy long days. I also am much more aware of how often we feed our domestic horses where wild horses will forage all day long, so I have become sensitive to that as well... where some domestics may be fed 3, 2, or just 1 time in a day. Smaller more frequent meals are likely easier on the equine digestive systems. There is much more, but some of the main things off the top of my ballcap.

Some of my background: i have had horses much of my life, showed on occasional in my kid years (when I wasn’t riding rogue over golfcourse- yes, there is a story), did team roping, but mostly did trail and riding for pleasure. Most recently I had four horses and sold them a few years ago. In college, I also bought/rescued thoroughbreds off a race track and trained for trail and roping, to rehome them instead of the alternative, and as a bonus it paid my way through college at Oregon State University. I got rid of all my domestic horses as it was a transition in my life with growing two-legged colts of my own. But I am developing my life in such a way that in the future when we complete building our barn and fencing that I would like to bring a mustang or more home that are already captive and give them a chance. Grateful for the knowledge the wild ones have given over the last couple decades, since I first "discovered" them out on the range by mere chance in 1994... wild horses of every color and age ran across the rutted road kicking up dust in front of me. I've been smitten ever since and love this journey learning about wild mustang society… grateful for what they've taught me.

To read more of my field notes, here's the library:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10158717834863956&type=3

Keep the Wild in our West and our west WILD!
Sonya, aka Mustang Meg
www.roamwildfund.com

A recent interview I had with Animal Passions: https://youtu.be/-p0HgsjwYFU

Hope you Follow me on my YouTube video channel www.mustangjourney.com

10/05/2023

Here are 15 interesting facts about
a horse's brain🐴🧠

1) A horse’s brain is relatively small compared to the size of its body, and accounts for only about 0.1% of its total weight.

2) Despite their small size, horses have very complex brains, with a highly developed cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for conscious thought, decision-making and memory.

3) Horses can learn and remember complex tasks, such as navigating a jump course or performing a dressage routine, through a process called associate learning.

4) Like humans, horses have a left hemisphere and a right hemisphere in the brain, each with specialized functions. The left hemisphere is responsible for the processing of logical and analytical information, while the right hemisphere is more involved in emotional processing and creative thinking.

5) Horses have a great memory and can remember specific people, places and experiences for many years.

6) Horses can learn by observation, and often they can acquire new behaviors and skills simply by observing other horses or humans.

7) Horses have a very sensitive sense of touch and can detect even the slightest pressure or movement on their skin. This helps them respond to subtle cues from your rider or guide.

8) Horses can process visual information very quickly and accurately, allowing them to avoid potential hazards and navigate their environment with ease.

9) Horses are social animals and rely on nonverbal communication to interact with other horses in their herd. This communication is facilitated by the horse’s brain, which can interpret subtle changes in body language, facial expressions and vocalizations.

10) Ultimately, like all animals, horses have a unique personality and individual traits that are shaped by their experiences, genetics and environment—all of which is reflected in their brain function and behavior.

11) Horses have a very strong sense of smell and their odor bulb, which processes smells, is relatively large compared to other parts of their brain.

12) The brain, which is responsible for coordinating movement and balance, is also relatively large in horses. This is because horses must be able to move quickly and efficiently to escape predators or navigate through difficult terrain.

13) Horses have a very high pain threshold, which is believed to be related to how their brains process pain signals. While this can be beneficial in some situations, it can also mean that horses may not show obvious signs of pain, making it harder for their caregivers to detect and treat underlying health issues.

14) The hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory, is particularly well developed in horses... This allows them to remember not only specific experiences, but also general concepts and patterns that they can apply to new situations.

15) Finally, studies have shown that horses, like other animals, are capable of experiencing emotions such as fear, happiness, and anger. These emotions are believed to be mediated by the limbic system, a group of interconnected brain structures that play a key role in regulating mood and behavior.

Author: Unknown