Rocky Creek Farms

06/23/2025

15 Fascinating Facts About the Horse's Heart and Its Emotional Connection with Humans:

The heart of an average adult horse weighs about 4–5 kg — nearly 10 times heavier than a human heart.

A horse's resting heart rate is around 28–40 beats per minute, but it can rise up to 240 during stress or intense activity.

The horse's heart is incredibly powerful — it can pump over 60 liters of blood per minute during running.

Human emotions can affect a horse's heart rate. Studies show that horses "read" human moods and mirror them.

During calm interaction, the heart rates of the human and horse can synchronize — a phenomenon known as bioelectrical resonance.

Horses sense a person's presence even before physical contact — their heart reacts to energy changes nearby.

A horse's heart generates a strong electromagnetic field, capable of transmitting emotional signals to other horses and even people.

Horses have a highly developed parasympathetic system, allowing them to calm down quickly in a safe environment.

A handler’s anxiety or fear can trigger stress in the horse — even if no real threat is present.

During cuddling or quiet companionship, a horse’s heartbeat slows down — a clear sign of trust.

Young horses experience emotional “storms” more frequently — much like humans, their hearts and nervous systems are still developing.

Trauma can leave an "emotional imprint" on a horse's heartbeat, even long after physical recovery.

Horses have the ability for emotional healing — kind and caring human contact can stabilize their heartbeat.

The horse’s heart is often seen as a symbol of deep intuition — horses can "feel" intentions before a word is spoken.

Scientific studies confirm that the emotional bond between human and horse is not a myth — it's a real physiological interaction of hearts, which can even have healing effects

06/21/2025

06/17/2025

When horses are denied regular contact with other horses, they can experience increased stress, which may manifest as restlessness, stereotypic behaviours (such as weaving or cribbing), and even health issues like digestive or musculoskeletal problems.

Social isolation has also been linked to heightened anxiety, learning difficulties, and a greater risk of injury, as horses deprived of companionship are more likely to become despondent or withdrawn.

Humans can offer comfort and support to horses during periods of social isolation, but cannot fully substitute for the social bonds horses form with other horses.

A recent (2025) study by Janczarek and colleagues examined this issue by measuring heart rate, heart rate variability, and behavioural responses in 12 horses during brief isolation periods.

The researchers found that even with attentive human support, horses still show physiological and behavioural signs of stress when isolated from other horses. Mares, in particular, remained stressed regardless of the type of human interaction.

Janczarek, I., Gazda, I., Barłowska, J., Kurnik, J., & Łuszczyński, J. (2025). Social Isolation of Horses vs. Support Provided by a Human. Animals

06/10/2025

Bentley Celebrating Our DEVINE COLORFUL LIGHT…

06/09/2025

We currently have grant funding for clients who meet the criteria below/attached. Please refer caregivers to us so their children can receive FREE trauma-Focused treatment using our website - www.villagecounselingcenter.net. Thank you and please share with others.

06/07/2025

Given that horses do not operate from a paradigm of dominance and submission (a truth well-supported by scientific studies of wild horse behavior), there are really only two ethical ways to set and maintain boundaries with horses who do not yet understand or consistently disrespect our personal space.

Both require taking full responsibility for knowing our own personal space needs and honoring/protecting them.

Neither involves punishing the horse, blaming the horse or attempting to assert dominance over the horse.

Once we know what our personal space boundary is and we've done our best to embody it energetically, if the horse is still entering into our space... there are only two emotionally mature options:

1. Move our own feet.

This should always be our preferred choice for clarifying our personal space needs (and is always the preferred choice of emotionally mature horses that are free to do so as well). If our personal space boundaries are not being honored (and this is true in regard to horses or people), it’s our responsibility to intentionally and lovingly reposition ourselves—creating the space we need. This might look like stepping back, shifting our stance, or relocating altogether. The key is to use our body language to communicate clearly and consistently, without anger, frustration or resentment. We should be ready to repeat this clarifying behavior as many times as it takes for the horse (or other person) to recognize: This is how much personal space you need to feel safe and comfortable around me right now.

2. Ask the horse to move—but never escalate the request to a demand unless we cannot move ourselves and the situation feels unsafe.

If we're physically unable to reposition ourselves—due to a fence, a wall, other boundary, or limited mobility—we should (gently but clearly) request that the horse (or other person) please reposition their own body to create a distance that feels safe to us. Again, this will ideally be done kindly, without anger or blame, and the request will be consistently repeated as many times as needed for the horse (or person) to understand that a certain amount of space is required in order for us to feel grounded and at ease in this moment with them.

Setting boundaries with horses (and people) should never feel like a battle of wills.

Boundary setting is a conversation, not a competition. It's not about winning or losing. There is only understanding or misunderstanding. Personal accountability or failure to take responsibility for our own needs and preferences.

It is never anyone else's job (including a horse's) to assume, intuit, or uphold our personal space boundaries. That's our job.

It's time to stop using the concept of "boundaries" to justify acting like a bully or adopting a mindset of dominance and submission - with horses or people.

And, by the way, do you want to know why so many domestic horses tend to be pushy and oblivious of personal space boundaries while wild-raised horses aren't?

Because most domestic horses have consistently had their own personal space needs ignored and disrespected by humans since the day they were born.

And just like us, horses learn experientially.

05/23/2025

The biggest lesson I ever learned didn’t come from a textbook. It came from standing in a muddy field, holding the lead rope of a horse who wouldn’t move.

And suddenly, I realised—it’s never about getting there fast.
It’s about learning how to stand still without giving up.
It’s about taking one small step—then another.
It’s about not quitting, even when it feels like nothing is changing.

You wouldn’t rush a nervous pony.
You’d meet them where they are, every single time.
You’d speak softly. You’d give them space.
You’d celebrate the tiniest shift.

So why don’t we treat ourselves like that?

At Equimotional, we know this:
Progress isn’t always visible.
But it’s always happening.

Bit by bit.
Breath by breath.
Hoofprint by hoofprint.

Stop trying to gallop up the mountain in three months.
Be okay with grazing your way there over three years.
You’re not behind. You’re just becoming.

Keep going. You’ve already come so far.

04/07/2025

We have 2 full pasture board spots available🐴♥️

01/05/2025

Pretty day for a pony ride…🐴❤️