| One of the keys to successful horse riding training is to | | | | raise the head to identify more distant objects and to |
| develop an understanding of your horse. Riders who | | | | lower the head to see items that are close by. |
| are just starting off may expect the horse to react like | | | | Don't assume this means your vision is better than a |
| a human, but these are animals with some deeply | | | | horse - he's more likely to spot something moving |
| ingrained reflexes that are far different from ours. | | | | across the next hill well before you will, hence the |
| Smell | | | | reason so many riders are unsure why a horse has |
| Smell is the sharpest of all of the horse's five senses. | | | | reacted the way he has. |
| You may have noticed that your horse always sniffs | | | | Feel |
| the treats you offer before he accepts it - his sense | | | | Horse's have very sensitive skin, so much so that they |
| of smell is telling him whether it's safe to eat or not. | | | | can sense a fly as soon as he lands, no matter where |
| Avoid wearing strong perfumes or other scents | | | | it is on his body. There are also several long whiskers |
| around horses because a horse is likely to find it | | | | just below the mouth. The whiskers are an important |
| unpleasant and react in a negative manner. Riders | | | | part of a horse's sense of touch, just as they are for |
| should be especially aware of any strong scents they | | | | a cat, and while many riders like to remove them, |
| may be wearing. | | | | someone who understands their horse will leave them |
| Hearing | | | | intact. |
| Like cats, horses have ears that can move in almost | | | | Because horses have such a tremendous sense of |
| any direction independently of their heads, so they can | | | | feel, riders need to be acutely aware of how to apply |
| detect noises that can be coming from almost | | | | any riding aids. |
| anywhere. | | | | Taste |
| A horse will also use his ears to communicate with | | | | As with many animals, taste and smell in horses are |
| those who understand the language. Ears that are | | | | closely linked. Each horse will have his favorite flavors |
| forward and upright indicate a positive, interested | | | | which other horses may hate. |
| attitude while ears that are flattened back | | | | As you learn to develop your skills during your horse |
| demonstrate fear or mistrust. | | | | riding training, you should also develop your |
| Vision | | | | understanding of your horse's individual nature: you |
| The human eye has an adjustable lens to help us | | | | should be the person he comes to rely on. A horse will |
| focus more easily but horses have not been graced | | | | only become your unswerving partner when he learns |
| with this adaptation. Horses are therefore forced to | | | | that he can trust you. |