Justine Harrison - Equine Behaviourist

17/11/2025

CAN YOU RECOGNISE SUBTLE SIGNS OF PAIN IN HORSES BEFORE THEY ESCALATE?

Join me for a webinar on spotting the early, often very subtle signs of pain in horses when at rest and under saddle. I’ll cover how pain changes behaviour, posture and performance, individual differences in response, plus GI and dental indicators and the latest research on pain ethograms.

I was due to host this webinar in early November but had to cancel as I wasn't well, so this is the rescheduled date!

Understand Horses presents a webinar with equine behaviourist Justine Harrison on recognising the behavioural signs of pain in horses.

27/10/2025

EQUINE BEHAVIOUR CONSULTING MENTORSHIP 2026 – NOW OPEN

The Equine Behaviour Consulting Mentorship starting on 8 March 2026 is now on sale — and applications for the scholarship place are open.

I only run this programme once a year. It’s designed for anyone who is seriously considering a career as a horse behaviour consultant, just starting their business, already practising and seeking advice for challenging cases, or looking for one-to-one coaching to advance their consulting skills. It’s also open to professionals such as physiotherapists, vets and coaches who want to integrate a behavioural approach into their work, and to anyone who simply wants to deepen their understanding of horses.

When I first set up in business as a behaviour consultant, I wished there had been something like this — a chance to explore real cases, get practical, honest advice, and learn how to combine behavioural science with the realities of working with horses and people. That’s exactly why I created it.

Over eight weeks, we’ll explore the full process of behaviour consulting: effective history taking; using LIMA and LIFE protocols in practice; diagnosing, managing and resolving behaviour problems; creating training and behaviour modification plans; and applying different training techniques.

We’ll also look at working alongside vets, legal and business advice, improving client relationships, different business models, how to set up, brand and market your business, troubleshooting, and how to protect yourself emotionally and physically.

If you’re looking for structured guidance, honest discussion, and support to become a behaviour consultant — this is for you.

You can find full details and book your place here:
https://courses.understandhorses.com/courses/horse-behaviour-consulting-mentorship

25/10/2025

CAN A HUMAN REPLACE A HERD MATE?

Many owners assume their company alone is enough to keep a horse relaxed. In a new study of riding-school Warmblood mares and geldings, researchers tested whether a calm human can stand in for equine company during brief separations, and found the effect was limited at best.

For the first part of the study each horse stood with two familiar herd mates. In the next three-minute phase, they were separated from the others but remained with a familiar handler. During this isolation period, the horses showed clear signs of stress: their heart rate was higher and heart-rate variability lower.

Across repeated sessions, the handler either stayed neutral, offered calm stroking, spoke quietly, or did both. None consistently reduced the individual horses stress. Quiet talking produced the most consistent (yet still minor) benefit, mainly in geldings; mares remained the most stressed.

Behaviour was recorded in detail using a structured ethogram – a catalogue of defined behaviours – so that trained observers could record how often and how long behavioural indicators of stress (e.g. calling, fidgeting, raised head/neck posture, ear/face tension) appeared in each phase. Heart activity was measured using a wireless heart monitor to assess heart rate and heart-rate variability.

Separation is inherently stressful for many horses, and a human cannot entirely replace equine company. Put your horse’s social needs first, ensure they have regular, predictable time with their herd mates.

If they become anxious when taken away from others, build exposure gradually, keep sessions short, and prioritise management that ensures they can see and hear their equine friends. When separation is unavoidable, a calm human voice may help some horses, but don’t expect it to solve the stress of isolation.

Study: Pisanska et al. (2025). Social Isolation of Horses vs. Support Provided by a Human. Animals.

18/10/2025

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL HORSE TRAINER?

If you’re serious about becoming an accredited professional horse trainer, this is a course you really shouldn’t miss.

I’m so proud to have a few lessons included in this programme — on equine body language and on how to set up, brand and market your horse training business — but the real star here is Trudi Dempsey.

Trudi is an exceptional horse trainer with over 25 years of experience using positive reinforcement (R+) training. She combines a deep understanding of biomechanics and a background in classical dressage with a truly modern, ethical approach to working with horses.

I first started exploring R+ training back in 2004 and have seen, learned from, or been trained by just about every R+ trainer out there. And honestly, Trudi is on a whole other level. She’s also an outstanding teacher — supportive, insightful, and practical — and she understands the realities of today’s equestrian world, always finding ways to make humane, evidence-based methods workable and effective in real life.

Trudi is the only trainer I’ve consistently been able to recommend to my clients, and every single horse and human she’s worked with has been transformed — even via remote coaching.

Now, with the first cohort of her Professional Horse Trainer Foundation Certificate graduates qualified, there’s an exceptional group of trainers I can recommend — not just because they train beautifully, but because they can also address and repair the increasing issues caused by poor R+ training.

If you’ve ever wanted to train professionally, learn with integrity, and make a genuine difference to the lives of horses and their owners, this is the place to start.

Well done Trudi Dempsey: Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant!

11/10/2025

CAN YOU RECOGNISE SUBTLE BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS OF PAIN IN HORSES?

Many owners, riders, and professionals can identify a clear lameness, yet research shows the subtler signs of pain and discomfort are often missed. Horses naturally mask pain, so painful conditions frequently appear as behaviour problems – for example aggression, reluctance or reactivity – that are misinterpreted as naughtiness, disobedience, or a training issue. Misreading these signals can delay appropriate care, risks inappropriate handling, and can compromise welfare, performance, and safety.

In this webinar I will look at the current research and help you with practical observation skills so you can identify the less obvious behavioural signs of pain. I'll be joined by brilliant ethologist Sam Couper (Samantha Couper - Equine ABCs). The link for further information and to sign up is in the comments.

This is such an important topic and rarely addressed - I hope you can join us!

08/10/2025

DOES WEARING A RUG CHANGE A HORSE'S BEHAVIOUR?

Horse owners often rug ‘just in case’. Concerns about over-rugging have frequently focused on the horse overheating, but a new Royal Veterinary College study carried out in mild autumn conditions shows rugs also change horse behaviour.

The research took place at two UK livery yards: the RVC teaching herd and a private riding-school. Horses were mixed ages, sizes and genders, many ex-rescues; all were healthy and accustomed to rugs. Each horse was observed with and without a turnout rug in 30-minute sessions (172 sessions total).

Weather conditions were about 1–15 °C with a light–moderate wind. Rugs were owner-supplied waterproof turnouts with 0–200 g fill. No heat or cold stress was detected.

To observe and record changes in behaviour the team used a validated ethogram, observing the horses and timing every behaviour second-by-second during each 30-min observation.

When the rugs were on the horses walked less and self-groomed less at both sites; tail-swishing and head-shaking also dropped (head-shaking at one site). Grazing increased at one yard, not the other — so local environment (e.g. flies, wind, management) matters.

Tail-swishing increased as temperature rose and decreased with wind. Importantly, no tail-swishing was observed below 5 °C in this dataset. These patterns fit reduced insect activity in cooler or windier conditions.

So why did tail-swishing drop in rugs? Could it be the horses found it uncomfortable to swish their tail when wearing a rug, or were there fewer insects? The authors argue the most likely driver was reduced midge irritation (the rugs acting as a barrier), though they note rugs can also block self-grooming and add weight/straps that might subtly affect movement. Keep both interpretations in mind for your horse.

The take home message here is that rugs in cool, still weather may reduce horses being bothered by insects, but they can also reduce movement and natural self-care. So make rugging decisions on a case-by-case basis. Base the decision on your individual horse, the day’s conditions, whether the rug fits well and their freedom of movement – not just habit!

Study details: Daw et al. (2025) Effect of turnout rugs on the behaviour of horses under mild autumn conditions in the United Kingdom. Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2025).

25/09/2025

DO HORSES REALLY ENJOY BEING TOUCHED, OR JUST TOLERATE IT?

Touch is part of almost every interaction we have with horses – grooming, routine handling, tacking-up, vet visits, even a pat after a ride. Touch is also a routine feature of equine-assisted services, yet surprisingly little is known about how horses themselves experience it. Do they actually enjoy it, or does their experience depend on having the choice to engage – the freedom to say yes, or no?

A recent study compared two situations using therapy horses who were regularly involved in equine-assisted services. In the ‘forced touch’ condition, horses were tied up and touched continuously on different body areas (neck/shoulder, body, hindquarters) using patting, stroking, or scratching. In the ‘free-choice’ condition, horses were loose in a round pen and could only be touched if they chose to come close enough.

The results showed clear differences. Horses showed more stress-linked behaviours – oral movements, restlessness, and tail swishing – when touched without the option to move away. When free to choose, they often carried their heads lower (a sign of relaxation) and spent over half of the session out of arm’s reach. Stroking was more often linked with relaxed, low head carriage than scratching or patting, and touches on the hindquarters produced fewer stress responses than touches on the neck or body.

The researchers also looked at how the horses responded to different kinds of people. Around experienced handlers, horses were more likely to hold their heads high and showed lower heart-rate variability – signs of vigilance or anticipation, perhaps expecting work. In contrast, their responses with less experienced people were generally more relaxed.

Touches on the hindquarters were linked with fewer stress behaviours, while touches on the neck and body produced more tail swishing and less relaxed postures. Horses were also more likely to lower their heads – a calmer signal – when touched on the body or hindquarters than on the neck.

Why does this matter? Horses in all kinds of contexts – riding schools, competition yards, therapy programmes, or leisure homes – are routinely touched and handled. These findings show that the manner of touch, the part of the body involved, and above all the horse’s ability to choose whether to participate all shape how she/he/they experience the interaction.

The welfare implications are clear: allowing horses more agency in how and when we touch them may reduce stress, strengthen trust, and make interactions safer and more positive for everyone.

For me, the sad part of these findings is that horses are rarely given a choice about when or how they are touched. And many people don’t recognise when touch is causing the horse stress.

Study: Sarrafchi, A., Lassallette, E., & Merkies, K. (2025). The effect of choice on horse behaviour, heart rate and heart rate variability during human–horse touch interactions. Applied Animal Behaviour Science

21/09/2025

A DAY AT BLENHEIM PALACE

I was invited by Agria Equine Insurance to the Agria International European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace on Friday.

Having competed in showjumping and dressage for many years previously, it was interesting to experience eventing at this level and watch the dressage up close. Watching Laura Collett and Michael Jung ride their dressage tests was a rare chance for me to see both horse and rider competing at the peak of their sport.

My highlight of the day was a behind-the-scenes course walk with Ros Canter — a fascinating insight into both horse and rider behaviour and psychology, from an Olympic champion’s perspective.

The day finished with dinner in the beautiful Long Library at Blenheim, shared with many familiar faces from across the equestrian world.

A huge thank you to the team at Agria, it was an unforgettable day. Agria continue to do so much to support horses, riders, and the wider industry.

17/09/2025

DO HORSES GRIEVE WHEN THEY LOSE A COMPANION?

Many horse people sense it. Now, recent research provides more evidence that yes — when a companion horse dies, many horses exhibit grief-like responses that can last for months.

This study examined behavioural changes in horses following the death of a companion. Of 325 owners who responded to the study survey, many reported noticeable changes in their surviving horse’s behaviour after the loss.

What the study found:

• Within the first 24 hours after the death of a companion, most horses showed changes in behaviour: heightened arousal (≈ 89 %), altered interaction with other horses (~78 %), changed behaviour toward humans (~78 %), increased alertness to environmental stimuli (~73 %), and more vocalisation (~69 %).

• Many horses continued to show shifts in behaviour, mood, or social engagement up to six months after the loss.

• The strength of the bond matters: horses in close “affectionate” relationships showed more pronounced changes — especially around feeding, interacting, or being around others.

• Whether a horse could stay near the body of the deceased companion also influenced how certain behaviours (like vocalisation, excitement about feeding, or interaction) evolved over time. Those unable to access or witness what happened showed more persistent distress, especially heightened vigilance and arousal over time.

Grieving the loss of a companion has real welfare implications. Grief isn’t just a nice sentiment or a human emotion we project onto horses — for survivor horses, loss can cause real, lasting effects that have long-term impact. Mood, appetite, energy, social behaviour, and interest in human interactions can all be disrupted.

The way death is handled on a yard makes a difference. Allowing time and presence with the deceased, recognising behaviour changes early, and offering extra care can help reduce the impact:

• Watch for changes in the first 24 hours and beyond: look for changes in feeding, sleeping, social behaviour, mood, vigilance and interaction with people.

• Be aware that healing takes time: six months or more is not uncommon.

• If possible, allow surviving horses to be near the body or to witness (if safe and feasible). This seems to reduce some prolonged stress.

• Give the surviving horses an opportunity to acknowledge the loss: presence near the body, opportunity to witness or experience what happened (safely and appropriately) seems to help.

• Provide extra care, enrichment, predictable routine, and gentle handling — especially for horses with strong bonds.

Remember that grief is individual. Some horses bounce back quickly, others need more time. Both deserve care and compassion.

Study: Ricci-Bonot et al (2025). Grief-like distress responses in horses after the death of a conspecific. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

06/09/2025

ARE WE BLAMING HORSES FOR BEING HORSES?

If a horse is difficult to lead, bites someone, stops at a fence, bucks under saddle or refuses to load, the explanation you’ll hear most often is that they’re being naughty, stubborn or difficult. This culture of blame runs deep in the equestrian world. But why do riders and handlers so often blame the horse. Why is it the horse’s fault?

Human psychology gives us some clues. Humans are prone to the fundamental attribution error. That means we’re quick to assume a behaviour is caused by what the horse is like (‘he’s lazy,’ ‘she’s always moody’) instead of looking at what’s happening to the horse.

In practice, that means we often jump to the idea that a horse is being awkward on purpose, rather than considering external factors like pain, inappropriate management, unclear training, or fear. We assume intention when, in reality, the horse is usually just responding to their circumstances. We don’t consider what’s really driving the behaviour and motivating the horse to behave that way.

Add to this the traditions of equestrian culture, where riders are often told from an early age that horses ‘test you’ or ‘take advantage if you let them.’ This narrative becomes normalised — and so blaming the horse feels natural, even when the science tells us otherwise.

Research shows a very different story:

• Studies by Dyson and colleagues (2018–2020) demonstrate that many so-called 'naughty' behaviours are actually signs of pain under saddle

• Hausberger et al. (2008, 2020) found that poor housing and pain are strongly linked to so-called ’problem behaviours.'

• Cheung, Mills & Ventura (2025) show how riders often rationalise practices that compromise welfare in order to reduce their own cognitive dissonance.

Blaming the horse is easier than admitting our tack doesn’t fit, our training wasn’t clear, our horse may be in pain or that we did the wrong thing. It protects us from uncomfortable truths. But it also prevents us from seeing behaviour for what it really is: communication.

Horses don’t plan or plot to punish us. They respond. And they can suffer.

So next time something goes wrong, rather than asking ‘Why is he being naughty?’ consider asking “what is my horse trying to tell me?’ instead.

16/08/2025

LET'S KEEP HORSES' NEEDS AT THE CENTRE OF THE CONVERSATION!

Last weekend we hosted our fourth Understand Horses Live event, this year at Nottingham Trent University — and what an inspiring, supportive, and thought-provoking gathering it was.

A huge thank you to my wonderful colleagues who shared their knowledge so generously, and to everyone who came along and contributed to such an open and engaging atmosphere. The feedback from attendees has been fantastic, but the comments that have really made me proud are: "What a friendly, supportive and non-cliquey event", "No discussion was off the table”, “I honestly didn't think I'd find a safe space to ask questions in the equestrian world – now I have".

That was exactly the spirit we hoped to create — a place for open and honest conversation, curiosity, and collaboration.

I've shared one of my favourite slides of the weekend from Dr Jo Hockenhull’s superb presentation on horse-human interaction: “What do people want from horses? A dog". Jo discussed how her research had found that horse owners want their horse to be loyal, affectionate, attentive, cuddly, comes to call and wants to be with you all the time. But of course, horses are not dogs, they are horses. The equestrian world often seems to forget that. I want my horses to have a good life – healthy, relaxed and happy in their environment with their equine friends. Their wellbeing should not just depend on what humans want from them, but on recognising and meeting their needs as horses.

Here’s to more open dialogue, evidence-based practice, and putting horses first. See you next year!

Massive thanks to Trudi Dempsey: Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant, The Equine Behaviour Vet, Emma Lethbridge Horsemanship, Samantha Couper - Equine ABCs, Rosa Verwijs, Jo Hockenhull, Holly Gallacher, Kelly Yarnell, Carol Hall, Nicola Gregory, Hani Sparks, Tanyel Dede and David Taylor.

29/07/2025

ARE YOU COMING TO UNDERSTAND HORSES LIVE?

My favourite weekend of the year is less than 2 weeks away. We’ll be in a brand new location with a fantastic line-up of presenters and important topics you won’t find anywhere else.

If you work with horses, this weekend offers invaluable insights, fresh perspectives, thought-provoking content and practical knowledge you can apply straight away. And yes, two full days of talking about horses and horse behaviour!