“To understand the world of the horse,
we must first understand the horses view, of their world.” ~ kmt
Among the greatest investments you can make in your horse is an investment in yourself. The economics of behavior simply make sense: the more you understand the horse, the more you empower their potential. Yet, no matter your perspective, one inherent truth threads through it all: the operating system runs the machine. Everything a horse was, is, and can become is not defined by what they are, but by who they are.
Throughout my many years of work, I’ve kept—and continue to keep—a running series of research and case study notes, definitions, and references to vital points. These include commonly used phrases in my evaluation processes and, especially now, a wealth of material for my book series, A View From The Hoof. (See the previous blog post for more details about the planned six-book monographic series.) My notebooks and files overflow with content that delves deep into the psychological and emotional framework of the horse. Yes, I literally have ten different notebooks with countless handwritten (chicken-scratch…) notes!
In this blog, I’m sharing with you some of the essential components that form the inner workings of my methodology. These are just glimpses into the unique information that emerges from a horse’s psychological profile—a small window into the depth of insights you receive when working with me, attending a lecture or clinic, or reading my books.
This reference guide is not confined to any one discipline because equine psychology is always about the horse first and foremost. Their discipline doesn’t define who they are; it only defines what we’re asking them to do. Our responsibility is to assess their inherent disposition honestly—to determine whether they are emotionally and sensory sound enough to achieve the goals we envision. And if they are, we must remain humble enough to let the horse lead the way forward.
I invite you to explore the following collection of insights, drawn directly from my private notes. Whether you’re curious about equine psychology, needing help with optimizing talent, building a better relationship with your horse, seeking inspiration for your own journey with horses, about to consider investing in a horse, or looking for practical applications, I hope you find these somewhat “random bits” as fascinating and illuminating as I do.
Equine Psychology Insights: A Reference Guide
1. Psychological Cross-Training: Beyond the Routine
Incorporating subtle nuances into a horse’s daily routine can unlock untapped potential. By breaking the monotony of repetition, psychological cross-training introduces variety that challenges the mind while complementing physical training. This approach enriches emotional depth, nurtures life-skills, and serves as a powerful tool for addressing anticipatory anxieties or trauma. The goal is to balance structured training with moments that surprise and engage the horse’s natural curiosity and facilitate their adaptability.
“It is our responsibility to understand the horse’s nature, not their responsibility to understand ours.” – KMT
2. Bridging the Gap: Communication Without Static
Effective communication begins with removing anticipated anxiety from your own mindset. Horses are acutely sensitive to emotional “static,” which can disrupt the clarity of your attempts at communication. Bridging the gap between natural herd dynamics and the domesticated world involves a commitment to emotional self-awareness and an understanding of herd psychology as a foundation for training.
3. Sensory Soundness: The Operating System of the Horse
A horse’s sensory system is its primary way of interacting with the world. Unprocessed stressors can lead to physical stiffness, condensed self-awareness, and reactions rooted in self-preservation. Key coaching strategies include:
Meter and a Minute Mentality: Gradually increase both distance and duration when helping horses adjust to new environments.
Allow Time Between Cues: When a horse becomes “stuck,” pause and observe for any slight movements. Thoughtfully intervening at critical moments helps reset and complete the sensory sequence.
Support Sensory Clearance: Become a reliable source of sensory guidance by enhancing your own awareness of sight, sound, touch, and intentions.
4. Three Valued Benefits of Enriching Sensory Soundness
Expanded Mental Cushion: Greater self-awareness and emotional depth perception.
Increased Focus Duration: Improved mind-to-body fluency for purposeful, athletic movement.
Strengthened Life-Skills: Better adaptation to chaos and new environments with reduced stress.
5. Life-Skills vs. Desensitization
While desensitization teaches horses to tolerate specific stimuli, life-skills equip them to handle a variety of conditions with confidence and versatility. Horses with strong life-skills can navigate changing environments while remaining sensitive and responsive, not shut down or disengaged. Life skills translate across environmental plains, they are not confined within them.
“Teaching a horse tricks is not the same as teaching the horse life-skills.” – KMT
6. Social Learning and Competitive Versatility
Horses need to "learn their own language" within the herd before fully interpreting human cues. Early exposure to herd dynamics fosters social comprehension and mutual dependency, which are vital for competitive versatility. A young horse with insufficient herd interaction may struggle to communicate effectively with peers, diminishing its ability to collaborate or compete.
7. Emotional Hierarchies in Natural Settings
In natural herds, leadership is governed by emotional intelligence rather than fixed physical dominance. Horses with high emotional intelligence benefit from a coaching-first methodology that nurtures this trait. Recognizing and developing emotional intelligence early is essential for disciplines where precision and partnership are paramount.
Introductory Review of Key Terms in Equine Psychology:
Unlocking the Language of Connection
Understanding equine psychology begins with mastering its vocabulary. Below is a curated selection of terms and concepts frequently used in my psychological evaluations. These key phrases serve as a bridge to deeper insights into your horse’s mind and performance. For a more comprehensive glossary, visit our website. Don’t worry, when you get a psychological profile for your horse, you get a one-on-one coaching review with me via Zoom!
Psychological Pace Index (PPI)
How long can a horse maintain mental focus under physical motion, what are their stress tolerances? PPI measures the horse’s ability to process environmental stressors at each gait—walk, trot, canter, gallop—before requiring a reset. By assessing this, we can understand the balance between psychological interpretation and physical efficiency.
Interpretative Ratio
This critical metric reveals the relationship between a horse’s mental processing speed and their physical movement. A high Interpretative Ratio reflects seamless mind-to-body fluency, where sensory processing remains ahead of motion, supporting sustained athletic performance.
Cushion
The “mental shock absorber” every horse relies on; the Cushion represents perceived space and elasticity in response to stress. A wider Cushion equates to greater emotional range, reduced mental fatigue, and enhanced adaptability, while a narrow Cushion increases stress accumulation and limits resilience.
Individual Herd Dynamic (IHD)
The one-to-one focus horses’ access to direct emotional energy toward a singular target, whether animate or inanimate. Operating through sensory zone 1, IHD is the foundation for linear psychological expression, such as moving from point A to B.
Group Herd Dynamic (GHD)
The multitasking counterpart to IHD, GHD processes and absorbs diverse stimuli from sensory zones 2 through 6. Responsible for "reading the room," it governs a horse’s ability to manage complex environments and interactions within the herd structure. Think of guardrails along the motorway!
Independent Nature
Elite horses with Independent Nature showcase advanced sensory soundness, effortlessly adapting to chaotic environments while maintaining performance. These horses excel in both emotional communication and anticipatory responses, making them highly intuitive and reliable partners. It also adds complexity to building your relationship with them and training them.
Sensory Soundness
The cornerstone of equine psychology, Sensory Soundness measures a horse’s ability to harmonize with their environment. It reflects the efficiency of their sensory sequence in mitigating stress and achieving emotional contentment.
The Sensory Egg
Imagine the mental "bubble" a horse perceives around itself. This dynamic space, called the Sensory Egg, functions as a shock absorber, balancing depth perception and emotional self-awareness. Its elasticity determines how well a horse handles stress and maintains fluency in movement.
Sensory Sequence
The six-step process by which a horse engages with its environment:
Survey
Orienting
Investigatory
Absorb
Interpret
Respond
Mastery of this sequence is essential for effective coaching and stress management.
Sensory Lead Change (SLC)
The psychological “baton pass” between sensory zones. When stimuli are handed off from one sensory zone to another, this ensures seamless sensory processing, preventing accumulation of stress and maintaining emotional fluency.
Standard Aspect Zones (SAZ)
The sensory system is divided into six zones, each equipped with a primary and secondary sense for processing environmental stimuli. Efficiency across these zones ensures balanced emotional awareness and adaptability to change.
This glossary serves as a foundation for understanding the intricate interplay of psychology, emotion, and performance in horses. Whether you’re exploring these concepts for the first time or deepening your expertise, these terms are the building blocks of effective horse-human partnership.
While you’re here explore our two popular service options: our signature Psychological Profiling and Consulting with Kerry. Contact us for more information or to book-in!
Want to book a lecture, a clinic or want to know when and where these might be? Email Abigail at ac.sensorysoundness@gmail.com Also, be sure and become a website subscriber, which is free, to keep up with what’s happening and to get members-only early bird discounts.
Additionally, on behalf of my wife Daphne and I, we would like to invite you to visit our new passion project, Destination Hope, which can be found in the Beyond the Hoof tab on the toolbar. Make sure not to miss the Beacons of Hope page.
This will be the last blog I will post for 2024; I thank you all for being here and for your continued support, we hope to see you on our travels in 2025 and if I can help you with your horse in any way, don’t hesitate to book in today!
“Herd Dynamics Matter; every horse, every discipline, everywhere.”
Thank You for being here!
Your Friend, Kerry
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