Hixham Hall Stables

16/03/2025

Horses are not humans. They don't think like you do. And here is why...

One of the BIGGEST mistakes people make with horses, is treating them like humans. Horses are vastly different from us. Your horse is NOT reasoning, plotting, or being "naughty." They aren’t “testing you” in the way a human would. They don’t think, feel, or process the world like we do. Their brains are wired COMPLETELY differently from ours.

🧠 A Horse’s Brain vs A Human’s Brain, explained...

• Survival First: A horse’s brain is built for survival, meaning their first instinct is to react, not analyze. That’s why they can spook in an instant. It’s not bad behavior, it’s biology.
• Stronger Emotional Processing: Their limbic system (emotion + memory center) is more developed than ours, making them highly sensitive to emotions and body language. They actually feel emotions stronger than we do.
• Weaker Prefrontal Cortex: Unlike us, horses don’t rationalize or plan ahead. They are not able to, as they do not have a highly developed prefrontal cortex like us. They live in the moment, relying on instincts, experience, and trust of their herd.

BOTTOM LINE: Stop applying human logic to horse behavior! They aren’t being dramatic, stubborn, or spiteful. They are responding to instincts, past experiences, and the energy you bring.

⚡ Horses Are More Sensitive to Threats Than You Think!

As prey animals, horses’ brains are designed to detect ANYTHING that could be a threat. That’s why they are incredibly sensitive to:

👉 Micro body language changes – If you tense up, they feel it.
👉 Heart rate shifts – If yours spikes, theirs does too.
👉 Tiny sounds – A small rustle to you might scream “predator” to them.
👉 Untrustworthy energy – A 2021 study found that horses can tell when a human’s actions don’t match their emotions. They can literally tell if your untrustworthy.

Think your horse is being spooky, reactive, or over-sensitive? Stop blaming them. They’re just being a horse.

👩 How human actions influence a horse:

They read human emotions like an open book.They remember past experiences, good & bad, for YEARS. They recognize your facial expressions, tone of voice, and stress levels. They rely on trust, consistency, and clarity, and are negatively affected by punishment and dominance.

WANT A BETTER HORSE? STOP thinking like a human, and START understanding how a horse’s brain actually works. And start showing up for them based on these insights and understanding.

🔹 Be calm, be clear, be consistent.
🔹 Respect their instincts instead of fighting them.
🔹 Earn their trust instead of demanding obedience.

📢 Tag a horse lover and help me share this information! Let’s spread real horse knowledge, not outdated myths! 🐎💙

20/02/2025

Very true .....

01/01/2025

Are there any free lance grooms who could help us out straight away at Hixham Hall Stables. Usual yard duties looking after lovely horses. Friendly and professionally run yard. Please contact Amanda 07776136336

01/12/2024

Hixham Hall Stables in Furneux Pelham, Herts SG9 0LR is a five star livery yard looking after lovely horses including eventers, dressage horses and hacks. We have a job opportunity for an experienced groom who enjoys working to a high standard and can work as part of a team to deliver a first class service to our owners. This could be a full time job or covered by two freelance grooms. Please contact Amanda on 07776136336

04/11/2024

11/10/2024

We need experienced help on our livery yard on Mondays and Sunday afternoons. If you have availability please contact me for more details. Amanda 07776136336

26/09/2024

Hello 🔵 It’s official. Signed at 2:55 PM. It was even on TV. Mine really turned blue. Don't forget that tomorrow starts the new Facebook rule (aka... new name, META) where they can use your photos. Don't forget the deadline is today!!!

I do not authorize META, Facebook or any entity associated with Facebook to use my photos, information, messages or posts, past or future.
With this statement, I notify Facebook that
it is strictly prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. Violation of privacy may be punishable by law.

Here's how to do If you are thinking of getting off FB because of the volume of sales ads and trash stuff. So hold your finger anywhere in this post and click ′copy’. Go to your page where it says ‘What's on your mind?’ Tap your finger anywhere in the blank field. Click paste. This upgrades the system.
Hello new and old friends!

IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!!! 👍👊🙏
Hold your finger anywhere in this message and “copy” will appear. Click “copy”. Then go to your page, create a new post and place your finger anywhere in the empty field. “Paste” will appear and click Paste.
This will bypass the system….

He who does nothing consents.

30/08/2024

In traditional riding lessons, the way to obtain more activity always seems to be “more leg”. But that’s not really correct. If you drive more, if you use stronger leg aids, you stiffen your leg muscles, which blocks your hip joints, which blocks the horse’s back and hind legs. Gripping or kicking legs cause the horse to hold his breath and to brace his rib cage, which also kills the impulsion and the back activity.

The secret to better engagement and activity is really not to do anything with your seat that can block or slow down the hind leg movement. “Take the foot off the brake, before you step on the gas” is something I used to tell students who took longe lessons on our horses in the US and weren’t able to keep the horses in the trot. Most of them would immediately kick the horse to keep him going, although they themselves were the reason why the horse fell back into the walk. The less you interfere with the horse’s back movement, the less you need to drive.

24/08/2024

We have some consecutive days (weekdays and weekends) that need cover during September and October on our livery yard. Although sole charge is not required you need to be experienced in all yard duties. Possibility of some hacking. Please contact Amanda on 07776136336

05/03/2024

Hixham Hall Stables, Furneux Pelham SG9 0LR. Urgent freelance help needed to cover a member of staff whose dog needs an operation and will need constant supervision for the coming two weeks. If you can help, or you know of someone, we’d really appreciate a message. Usual yard duties with a great team, lovely horses and owners and well organised yard. Please message us or call on 07776 136336. Thank you!