Horse Brain, Human Brain

Body Language

The Neural Dance Between Horse and Rider

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on March 15, 2023

How do horses and riders communicate while performing difficult maneuvers? Body language, the horse's natural form of communication, comes to the rescue.

How do horses and riders communicate while performing difficult maneuvers? Body language, the horse's natural form of communication, comes to the rescue.

Education

Learning About Trust by Observing Horses

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on February 21, 2023

By observing horses and applying their prey behavior to victimized humans, we can come to a deeper understanding of trust.

By observing horses and applying their prey behavior to victimized humans, we can come to a deeper understanding of trust.

Fear

Mastering Human Fear

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on January 11, 2023

Horseback riding requires overcoming significant fear. How do we teach riders to do that, and can our techniques be applied to other activities?

Horseback riding requires overcoming significant fear. How do we teach riders to do that, and can our techniques be applied to other activities?

Motivation

Natural Curiosity in Horses

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

Do skittish prey brains experience natural curiosity? Absolutely. Curiosity forms the basis for most of equine learning and a lot of evolutionary survival.

Do skittish prey brains experience natural curiosity? Absolutely. Curiosity forms the basis for most of equine learning and a lot of evolutionary survival.

Attachment

Is Equine Attachment Real?

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on November 2, 2022

Personal Perspective: When my horse's behavior suggests that he missed me while I was away, is that assumption correct on my part?

Personal Perspective: When my horse's behavior suggests that he missed me while I was away, is that assumption correct on my part?

Anxiety

An Equine Model for Human Anxiety

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on July 18, 2022

Wondering how to control anxiety? Learn more about it from a horse.

Wondering how to control anxiety? Learn more about it from a horse.

Domestic Violence

Why Do Some People Behave Violently Toward Animals?

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on May 9, 2022

Commentary: A rider punched the horse that won the Kentucky Derby in the face this weekend—making the case that automatic habits can lead to needless violence.

Commentary: A rider punched the horse that won the Kentucky Derby in the face this weekend—making the case that automatic habits can lead to needless violence.

Ethics and Morality

How Horse Racing Must Change

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on April 14, 2022

The sport of horse racing needs to represent the tenets of ethics and morality, sport psychology, and quality care for the animals it uses.

The sport of horse racing needs to represent the tenets of ethics and morality, sport psychology, and quality care for the animals it uses.

Sport and Competition

What Can Be Done to Protect Racehorses?

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on March 7, 2022

Why is racing so dangerous for horses? Before we can consider viable solutions, we must first understand the problems.

Why is racing so dangerous for horses? Before we can consider viable solutions, we must first understand the problems.

Dopamine

New Ways of Using Food to Train Horses

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on February 11, 2022

Food is the most popular reinforcer in standard positive reinforcement training. But brain science suggests it's not always the best.

Food is the most popular reinforcer in standard positive reinforcement training. But brain science suggests it's not always the best.

Dopamine

Positive Reinforcement: A New Look at an Old Concept

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on January 31, 2022

Ready for a little technical chat about positive reinforcement training? Increase your power by using more than just reward!

Ready for a little technical chat about positive reinforcement training? Increase your power by using more than just reward!

Intelligence

Smart Toys Now Include Audio and Video Calls Between Species

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on December 8, 2021

Curious how often your animal thinks of you when you're away? Get her a phone and find out.

Curious how often your animal thinks of you when you're away? Get her a phone and find out.

Environment

Horses: By Nature or Instruction?

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on October 11, 2021

When watching horses perform in an event, most people assume that their behavior is largely natural. It's easy to underestimate just how much a horse has to learn.

When watching horses perform in an event, most people assume that their behavior is largely natural. It's easy to underestimate just how much a horse has to learn.

Coaching

Trouble in Pentathlon Show Jumping

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on August 10, 2021

Last week, a horse named Saint Boy refused to jump for an unfamiliar rider and an abusive trainer. Now PETA wants to ban all Olympic horse sports.

Last week, a horse named Saint Boy refused to jump for an unfamiliar rider and an abusive trainer. Now PETA wants to ban all Olympic horse sports.

Everybody's been talking about the Olympic show jumping course, starring a statue that scared the horses. How do equine brains process experiences like this?

Body Language

Cross-Species Communication in Olympic Dressage

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on July 27, 2021

What are you seeing when horses and riders compete in the Olympics? Some very impressive communication between the brain of a prey animal and the brain of a predator.

What are you seeing when horses and riders compete in the Olympics? Some very impressive communication between the brain of a prey animal and the brain of a predator.

Body Language

Why Do Horses and Humans Need to Communicate?

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

Ever watch a horse and rider leap over a jump, spin a hole in the sand, or turn a cow away from its herd? You saw a detailed exchange between prey and predator brains.

Ever watch a horse and rider leap over a jump, spin a hole in the sand, or turn a cow away from its herd? You saw a detailed exchange between prey and predator brains.

Sport and Competition

How We Communicate with Horses

Janet L. Jones Ph.D. on April 14, 2021

Most people assume dogs or cats are involved in our clearest cross-species communication. But our interactions with horses are stronger and more direct.

Most people assume dogs or cats are involved in our clearest cross-species communication. But our interactions with horses are stronger and more direct.