Harmonious communication and physical coordination between horse and humans relies on mutual trust and cooperation. | Photo: Thinkstock
Q: What does it mean to earn a horse’s “trust,” and is trust the same for horses as it is for humans?
—Via e-mail
A: Trust is essential to forming and maintaining social attachments, and when people are in trusting relationships, they are healthier, happier, and more productive.1 Cooperative horse-human partnerships also seem to be based on trust, and various games have been promoted for building trust in horses
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Robin Foster, PhD, CAAB, IAABC-Certified Equine Behavior Consultant holds a doctorate in animal behavior and has taught courses in animal learning and behavior for more than 30 years and currently teaches university courses in equine behavior and welfare at Virginia Tech and the University of Guelph. Robin’s research looks at equine learning and behavior. She also provides in person and remote behavior consultations.
Horses, Humans, and Trust
Q: What does it mean to earn a horse’s “trust,” and is trust the same for horses as it is for humans?
—Via e-mail
A: Trust is essential to forming and maintaining social attachments, and when people are in trusting relationships, they are healthier, happier, and more productive.1 Cooperative horse-human partnerships also seem to be based on trust, and various games have been promoted for building trust in horses
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.
Written by:
Robin Foster, PhD, Cert. Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Cert. Horse Behavior Consultant (CHBC)
Related Articles
Florida Thoroughbred Confirmed Positive for Strangles
Understanding Essential Nutrients in Horse Diets
AAEP Kester News Hour: Highlights in Equine Genetics and Neck Lesions
North Carolina Horse Tests Positive for Strangles
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com
Sponsored Content
Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses—More Than Laminitis
Ask a Pro: 4CYTE™ for Horses: Why Early Joint Care Matters
Feeding Programs for Orphan Foals
Weekly Poll
Readers’ Most Popular
Top Categories