Originally Posted by Barry G

Flight or Fight. Oh this topic can get a Forum chatting away for weeks.

The principle is that because a horse can move faster than all other domesticated animals that in times of confrontation the horse will choose to run rather than fight. Mostly this is true. Why fight if you can keep out of harms way.

People will talk about sabre toothed tigers and survival over centuries but horses have survived because they have made themselves allies of man and not a source of food for man. The modern domesticated horse has been selectively bred to be a servant of man.

But, some horses think differently and they will defend their corner. A horse has a mouth the size of a small crocodile and four feet which are mostly steel shod. They can easily break a human's bones. Most horses weigh over half a ton - that is about the weight of a small car. So if you happen to fall under one you may break your back.

What is the lesson to be learned? Play upon the horse's natural instinct to be wary of humans. Treat the animal with dignity and kindness. Give respect to your horse - it is bigger than you and most horses do not lack courage.

If however a horse comes straight at you with teeth bared, ears back - then get out of the way - quickly. If you chase a horse into a corner, then be ready for it to turn and come at you.

Every herd of horses has a leader which mostly is a wise mare. She is the boss. But there are also bossy geldings and they are known as alpha males. Both mare and gelding will defend the members of their herd - make no mistake.

It takes years of experience in learnng to recognise the true personality of a horse. Getting right the balance in your relationship with your horse can take 12 months or more. Just remember they were clever enough to design themselves in such a way as not to compete with man for food - they eat grass - we humans eat practically everything else edible but never grass.

No horse is a chicken when push comes to shove. And a frightened horse can be more unpredictable and hence dangerous than a naturally aggressive horse.

I personally think that the expression 'fight or flight' doesn't really mean much except to remind the horse handler that horses are big, strong, immensely powerful animals who choose to work with man rather than against him, providing man treats the horse respectfully.

Originally Posted by Barry G

Flight or Fight. Oh this topic can get a Forum chatting away for weeks.

The principle is that because a horse can move faster than all other domesticated animals that in times of confrontation the horse will choose to run rather than fight. Mostly this is true. Why fight if you can keep out of harms way.

People will talk about sabre toothed tigers and survival over centuries but horses have survived because they have made themselves allies of man and not a source of food for man. The modern domesticated horse has been selectively bred to be a servant of man.

But, some horses think differently and they will defend their corner. A horse has a mouth the size of a small crocodile and four feet which are mostly steel shod. They can easily break a human's bones. Most horses weigh over half a ton - that is about the weight of a small car. So if you happen to fall under one you may break your back.

What is the lesson to be learned? Play upon the horse's natural instinct to be wary of humans. Treat the animal with dignity and kindness. Give respect to your horse - it is bigger than you and most horses do not lack courage.

If however a horse comes straight at you with teeth bared, ears back - then get out of the way - quickly. If you chase a horse into a corner, then be ready for it to turn and come at you.

Every herd of horses has a leader which mostly is a wise mare. She is the boss. But there are also bossy geldings and they are known as alpha males. Both mare and gelding will defend the members of their herd - make no mistake.

It takes years of experience in learnng to recognise the true personality of a horse. Getting right the balance in your relationship with your horse can take 12 months or more. Just remember they were clever enough to design themselves in such a way as not to compete with man for food - they eat grass - we humans eat practically everything else edible but never grass.

No horse is a chicken when push comes to shove. And a frightened horse can be more unpredictable and hence dangerous than a naturally aggressive horse.

I personally think that the expression 'fight or flight' doesn't really mean much except to remind the horse handler that horses are big, strong, immensely powerful animals who choose to work with man rather than against him, providing man treats the horse respectfully.