Have you ever noticed your stallion or gelding dropping its penis during training and wondered what it really means? In episode #10 of How We Communicate, Belinda Bolsenbroek explores the subtle cues and behaviours exhibited by stallions and geldings, focusing on the often misunderstood act of dropping their penises.
Common Misconception: Many horse owners assume that when a horse's penis drops, it’s a sign of excitement. However, Belinda clarifies that this behaviour can also indicate feelings of overwhelm or anxiety, especially in certain contexts.
Belinda explains that there’s a difference between a relaxed playfulness exhibited by stallions and a halfway drop without swinging, which often signifies that the horse is feeling overwhelmed, particularly in geldings. This behaviour can occur in anticipation of training when the horse is uncertain or insecure about the handler's expectations. Understanding these cues is crucial, especially when working with stallions, as the context determines whether it signifies excitement or anxiety.
Practical Insight: If you notice this behaviour, it’s essential to assess whether your horse is feeling anxious or overwhelmed. By addressing the root cause, you can help alleviate their stress and create a more comfortable training environment.
The episode also touches on the consequences of improper breeding practices, which can lead to anxiety in stallions. Pain and discomfort associated with breeding can cause stallions to anticipate pain during sexual encounters, highlighting the need for retraining to restore normal social behaviour. Recognising that the dropping of the penis can be a sign of stress or feeling overwhelmed, even in geldings, is vital for maintaining their well-being.
Solution: By being attentive to these behaviours and understanding their true meaning, you can foster a more trusting and relaxed relationship with your horse.
Additionally, Belinda sheds light on the significance of a horse's desire to connect through touch, particularly with their upper lip or teeth. This mutual grooming behaviour is often misunderstood, leading to negative reactions from humans. Understanding and appreciating these bonding moments can strengthen your relationship with stallions and geldings.
What you'll learn:
Benefits:
Tune in to this online course to gain deeper insights into your horse’s behavioural cues through our comprehensive training modules. Engage in interactive learning designed to help you support your horse’s emotional well-being and enhance your partnership.
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.
We also donate 25% of our profits to charity
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