Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
sense, however. The horse out on pasture, left to its own devices, would probably avoid the
“black hole” that in reality is only an 8-inch-deep spot in the creek. When the trainer (who
treats her horse fairly) assures the horse by voice and body language that it is safe to step
into the water, the skeptical but trusting animal will reconsider. As long as you make wise
decisions and never ask your horse to negotiate something unsafe, your horse's instinctual
fears can be overridden by his confidence in you.
Zinger knows our well-behaved Vizsla, yet still exhibits the flight response because a
deeply ingrained instinct tells her dogs are predators and horses are prey.
MEMORY
If a horse lacks confidence or has received poor handling, he can behave very unpredictably
and spook with the slightest provocation. Because a horse has an excellent memory, he will
remember remote experiences, especially if they relate to his imagined safety. Horses are
