The Goldilocks Zone: that comfortable place where all our needs are met and we can reliably predict what happens next, knowing it will be “just right.” While human existence is fraught with uncertainty and change beyond our ability to control, horses are more fortunate. We can create for our horses that very panacea that eludes us by consistently meeting their ethological needs, and by making their world predictable and controllable. The question is, how do we know if we’re missing the mark on both of these key fronts?

From a horse-keeping perspective, science has proven that mimicking the environment in which horses evolved is the surest way to keep them sound and sane. They thrive from companionship with other horses, freedom to move, access to shelter, water and forage ad libitum. But arguably the greatest welfare issue for the ridden horse – and the biggest challenge we face as riders – is the confusion and uncertainty brought to our horses’ world when we pick up the lead rope or reins and use inconsistent aids. If the questions we ask with our aids are irregular and variable, the behaviour from our horses will be, too.

Conflict Behaviour is Communication

Conflict behaviour is the surest way horses have of getting our attention – the quintessential feedback that our aids are as murky as last week’s latte, or worse, we are causing them discomfort and pain. Moreover, research shows there are high correlations between many in-hand and under-saddle conflict behaviours. So if our groundwork is sketchy, there will be no miracles when we put our left foot in the stirrup.

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