BREEDING AND BEHAVIOR: What's One Got to do With the Other?

Question:  How much of your horse’s behavior should you attribute to its breed?

Answer:  As much as serves you. Period.

Beliefs about horse breeds are one of those things that continually get in the way of riders having great relationships with their horses. Because breeding helps determine a horse’s physical characteristics (size and shape of body, the way the horse is naturally inclined to move, etc.) it has much to do with the type of work or sport for which a horse might be best suited. But, from what I’ve seen, breeding has very little to do with how a horse behaves while performing its work or sport.

One of my closest friends insists her horses are bred to be hot, so she regularly calls me out on this. “You can’t argue with genetics,” she claims. No, but you can certainly argue for your own limitations by holding onto beliefs that don’t help you get the behavior you want from your horse.

  

It’s natural to form preconceived notions about different horse breeds based on what we see, hear or read…especially when opinions come from those we consider more ‘in the know’ than ourselves. But when long-held beliefs become roadblocks on the path to success, why not question them? As free thinkers, we get to believe whatever we want. If your goal is to be happy in your relationship with your horse, only good things can come from dumping beliefs that don’t lead you in that direction.

 

Folks dealing with high-strung horses, including my friend, are rarely thrilled about believing their horses are genetically predisposed to behave like drama-queens about every little thing. Quite often they settle for feelings of resignation after suffering plenty of feelings of frustration. They resign themselves to dealing with unwanted behavior despite the fact that there is a lot of evidence to suggest they don't have to. Go see for yourself. Go watch horses while they are out in their pastures among other horses. You will see the Arabs and thoroughbreds behaving pretty much the same as quarter horses or drafts.

I personally believe that, given the opportunity, horses of all breeds will gladly behave calmly because high-anxiety is emotionally and physically exhausting. Being in a state of calmness just feels better, a lot better, than being in a state of nervousness or fright. So, if you’re thinking your ex-racehorse can't help behaving like a big bundle of nerves, do yourself a favor and rethink things. Chances are he is behaving that way only because you believe he has no choice.

Question your beliefs about your horse’s breed. Are you holding onto any that are holding you back? If so, let go! Challenge yourself to believe what makes you happy.

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Give your horse the opportunity to behave calmly for you by

ordering The ALPHA Equestrian Challenge today!