The horse has been designed and molded by evolution so that it possesses a range of behaviors that have supported its existence and maintained the survival of the Equine species.

The relationship between the horse and mankind is thousands of years old, but it is only in the last half century that we have begun to seriously study the core behaviors which make up the 'nature' of those animals that we use.

Many management methods in use today have their origins in the days before new disciplines such as Ethology, Socio-biology and Comparative Psychology arose, yet it is these disciplines that have offered us an understanding of both animal and human nature, and insights into how behavior can best be understood, and behavioral problems overcome.

Holistic and behavior based management now offers the very best possible opportunity to harmonize how we keep and use horses with their innate nature.

Visit the Free Article Archive

Storm_at_Opito_Bay

 All text, illustrations and photographs that appear in this website copyright © 2000,2001,2002, 2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008 - Andy Beck (W.H.E.E.P.), unless otherwise noted. All rights strictly reserved.