Horse Personalities Podcast

[Doc-t]

The most important change people have told me about is that after the gut inflammation is reduced or eliminated the horses are more willing to listen, feel they are being listened to and successfully communicate. If the human is observing this then the horse will feel this improvement and actually show gratefulness. However if the human doesn’t recognize this then the horse will continue to shut down (but may be more patient).

Choleric horses easily dismiss people not willing to listen to them. Sometimes they will be more demonstrable than is safe for the human (and are then shipped to slaughter). There are studies in humans (actually in prisons) where after improving gut inflammation through diet, aggressive behavior is reduced by 40% compared to the placebo group (no diet changes).

I look forward to any observations here from people actually doing this. Many have done this on the FB group. We are still in our infancy here as far as numbers go – but that will be changing soon….

I know from working on farms where the horse diets have been changed that the horses become easier to work with in ALL personalities. Doc T

[Jenny]

Hi Angela

Re your choleric horse.

I’ve had 2 seminal moments in the last 40yrs of horse ownership. The one was discovering Dr T and this diet, which changed my horse from carrying too much fat and not enough muscle to having a body that is well muscled and athletic. The other being discovering Dr Andrew McLean and Equine Learning Theory. He and Prof Paul McGreevy are founder members of the International Society for Equitation Science and have written a book “Equitation Science”.
I’m lucky enough to have had riding lessons with Andrew. What they say on training horses is not necessary new and has been done by riders for many centuries. They just emphasis key methods which help the horse understand more easily what you are wanting, given their brain capacity. Once the horse understands and if you are always consistent with your aids and signals their life becomes predictable and they become calm. I find it hugely helpful.
As a tiny example it took me 3 x 3 minute sessions to train a 9 month old foal to lead quietly with a head collar and stand still calmly until I asked her to move.

I do hope this helps.

[Doc-t]

🤠👍

[AngelaM]

Thank you so much Jenny. I will check to see if I can get that book. I am finding after 2 weeks that my gelding is less crusty with his diet change. I never did give grain but hay (and apple/carrot treats). But I did notice he doesn’t seem as hungry now which is making him more pleasant for sure. And I am working on consistency (we think we are but this takes focused attention until it truly becomes part of our subconscious). Thanks again.

[AngelaM]

Thank you Jenny-I ordered the book you recommended.

[KarenM]

Hi Angela,

I have one of those horses who does not suffer fools. His behavior improved a lot with the diet change 2+ years ago but he still decides very quickly who is worthy of his time. He’s very much a highly sensitive, thinking horse that learns very quickly, gets bored easily, and he’s not spooky or nervous. He doesn’t tolerate people who have high, nervous energy, people who are tentative, or people who are oblivious. And when I say he doesn’t tolerate, I mean he will not hesitate to nail them if they ignore his signals (and my instructions). I don’t think that will ever change.

[AngelaM]

Thanks Karen-glad to hear your experience. I am happy that by adding the SBM although we may have a challenging personality to deal with we’re removing the obstacles that don’t need to be there.