Ever seen your horse drop its head during a session and wondered if it’s more than just a stretch? In episode #11 of How We Communicate, Belinda Bolsenbroek delves into the nuances of head-dropping behaviour in horses, shedding light on what this subtle cue could be telling you.
Key Insight: Horses often lower their heads when they’re tired or overwhelmed during an exercise, signalling that they need a break or a change in activity. It’s a small movement that can make a big difference in how you manage your horse’s training and well-being.
During lunging or riding sessions, you might notice your horse lowering its head halfway, raising it again, and then repeating the action. Belinda shares that this head-dropping behaviour usually happens three times in quick succession. It’s a clear sign that your horse is asking for a break. Ignoring this could lead to fatigue or stress, but recognising it can help you adjust your training to keep your horse engaged and comfortable.
Practical Tip: Next time you see your horse lower its head, consider pausing the session. This break not only allows your horse to rest but also helps it process the exercise, develop its body's biomechanics, and prepare for the next challenge.
Belinda explains that when a horse stands still after lowering its head, it enters a processing phase that can last up to two minutes. During this time, your horse might shift its chest, perform a small lateral swing with its neck, or move its front feet slightly. These movements, followed by a small chewing motion, signal that your horse is ready to move on.
What This Means for You: Understanding these signals and allowing your horse these moments of stillness can enhance its training by improving its proprioception (awareness of its body’s position) and developing neural pathways crucial for functional movement.
Recognising and respecting your horse's need for breaks is vital for both its physical and mental well-being. By providing timely pauses and adjustments during training, you’ll foster a more harmonious partnership with your horse, reducing the risk of stress and fatigue.
What You'll Learn:
Benefits:
Ready to deepen your understanding? Explore this topic further through our online courses and training modules at The Horsemen Collective, where interactive learning meets practical solutions for everyday challenges in horsemanship.
Belinda Bolsenbroek is an international authority on the Art of Classical Equitation in which the historic relationship between horse and human is expressed as a spiritual connection between two beings. Belinda harnesses the wisdom of the Old Masters, combines that wisdom with the science of biomechanics and shapes them both into a clear and defined practice that allows you to take your horsemanship to the next level.
Horses have stood at man’s side for over 4,000 years.They are our most noble companions and the ancient relationship of trust, honour and passion endures to this day.From the heroic war horse to the steady plough horse, our shared experience stretches back through the ages and is passed down to us through our genetic memories, our most prized ancestral gift.With Belinda’s guidance, you will discover this ancient inheritance and the pure joy that comes from a deep connection with your horse and look forward to the day when you become an ambassador, educator and an inspiration to others.
Empower yourself with Belinda as your coach - Belinda Bolsenbroek Academy.Now is the time to take the opportunity to invest in yourself, develop your skills and succeed.No matter how long you have been riding, whether you are an old hand or new to the art of horsemanship, there is always more to learn.As you gain greater insight into a topic, the more you learn, the more likely you are to recognise how much there is still to learn.
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