By animal behavior therapist Bettina Hvidemose Riisberg, Center for Animal Therapy.
Photo: Archive.

Many people are familiar with the fact that the horse is a prey animal, and this basically means that the horse's reaction and perception of its surroundings works considerably differently than ours. But what are the real differences between a horse brain and a human brain, and how are they expressed?

Our human brain typically weighs between 1.2 and 1.4 kg. The horse brain weighs between 600 and 800 g. There is an old myth which says that the horse's brain is only the size of a walnut, which is by no means true, but the horse's brain is smaller than ours.

Weight

THE OVERALL DIFFERENCES

Compared to the horse, our brain has expanded with extra refined motor skills, which, for example, is what allows us to type easily and quickly on a keyboard without moving the rest of the body. In addition, our brain contains a large area dedicated to our very complex developed language, which partly contains the verbal language, but also many more communication nuances than the horse has.

Motor and language skills

Finally, we also have an area that specializes in complex emotions and thoughts. This is not saying that a horse cannot think or have emotions, but that we have a very large area in our brain that takes care of complex functions in relation to both thoughts and emotions. This differs from the horse where this area largely does not exist.

The prefrontal cortex

On the other hand, the horse has a larger cerebellum, which means that the horse is considerably better at overall movement and balance. Most humans would be injured more than once trying to do what horses can. But the horse's brain ensures that the horse stays upright and can travel long distances in very different terrain. In addition, the horse's brain specializes in receiving sensory input and acting on it without complex mental or emotional interference.

Overall balance and movement

Why is it that we humans tend to look and observe our horses, and attribute to them our own human emotions based on the behavior we see? There are several potential answers to that question.

Why do we attribute human emotions to horses?

But what is it then that controls the horse's behavior in the situation if it does not feel jealous? The horse's brain is far more simply arranged than ours. Therefore, the reason need not be more complex than that the horse sees you and has associated you with something good and therefore wants to go to you. The other horse stands in the way, and therefore it moves to create free passage to you. It is not jealousy, but rather a completely practical solution to achieve something that the horse wants.

In the same way, we can reject claims that horses are trying to annoy us, test us, feel hatred, or take revenge. All of this would require well-developed frontal lobes that horses do not have. Often, the behavior of the horse needs to be explained far less complexly based on the brain's signaling pathways. Let's take a closer look at them.


Not jealousy but a natural reaction

Our brain can do a lot that horses cannot. But horses' brains can also do a lot that ours cannot. As mentioned, the horse is better at overall motor skilss, which is smart when you are a prey animal and already from foal must be able to move quickly and coordinated, which the foal already masters after a few hours.

In the human brain, the signal from the thalamus is passed on to the visual center at the back of the brain, which subsequently forwards to our frontal lobe, which thinks about what it is we have seen and decides on it. If our frontal lobe assesses that it requires movement, then the information is forwarded to the motor center, if applicable.

In the horse´s brain, the process starts in the same way, but the signal from the thalamus is sent directly to the motor center, which causes the horse to move without thinking about it first. In other words, in a horse the way from thought to action is very short.

If the object actually seems threatening, there can also be an activation of the hypothalamus and amygdala, which triggers a stress reaction that can lead to escape, where the horse runs away from the impact. It can also happen that the horse 'freezes' and stands completely still, or that it becomes aggressive and attacks the object. The latter option is quite rare and occurs only on the background of a very high level of stress.

Not only is the anatomy of the brain different, but the signaling pathways in the brain are also different, which may explain some of the reactions that the horse sometimes exhibits, and which may seem unnecessarily violent or less constructive from our point of view. When you are a prey animal, however, it is enormously inappropriate if you first have to consider whether it is smart to escape. The movement should preferably take place completely automatically and without hesitation if you are to survive in nature.


Different signal paths

So, when the horse reacts with the type of behavior that can be interpreted as "provocative", "annoying", something it does to "test us" or "disrespect us”, then it is simply just a product of that the horse's brain responding to something that is threatening or unpleasant. It's not something it does to its rider.

Therefore, we can basically say that most forms of problem behavior in the horse are about the horse reacting based on its physiology and nature. If the horse often exhibits motor reactions in certain contexts, it is our job to locate the reason why the horse's brain reacts in this way. If we assume that the horse's brain functions in the same way as ours, it can lead to major misunderstandings, which compromise the welfare of the horse and reduce the quality of the collaboration with it.


 Horses do not try to be provocative

When we assess the horse's reactions, it is therefore always crucial not to attribute human qualities, but at the same time also keep in mind what the horse's brain can do. It can be just as problematic to give it fewer competencies as to give it too many. As horse owners and riders, a large part of our responsibility must be to minimize the extent of unnecessary stress in the horse's life and ensure positive moods as much as possible. Part of the reason for being able to do this is to understand exactly what the horse can and cannot do. It allows us to more appropriately interpret our horses.

Do not add human characteristics to horses

Horse Brain Human Brain – The Neuroscience of Horsemanship by Janet L. Jones, 2020

Solving Equine Behaviour Problems: An Equitation Science Approach by Rose M Scofiels, 2020

Equine Behavioural Medicine by Bonnie V. Beaver, 2019

Equitation Science by McGreevy, Christensen, König og McLean, 2018

Conference Proceedings from Horses Inside Out conference, 2018 og 2020 (Dr. Andrew Hemmings)

Neuroanatomy of the equine brain as revealed by high-field (3Tesla) magnetic-resonance-imaging, Martin J. Schmidt, Carola Knemeyer, Helmut Heinsen, 2019

Applied neurophysiology of the horse; implications for training, husbandry and welfare, Sebastian D. McBride, Matthew O.Parker, Kirsty Roberts, Andrew Hemmings, 2017

Equine Behaviour in Mind - Applying Behavioural Science to the Way We Keep, Work and Care for Horses by Suzanne Rogers. 2017


Sources

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THE HORSE'S BRAIN

How the horse's and the human brain differ from each other

Cat

Dog

Horse

Human

The horse's cerebellum is larger than ours. Therefore, it has a better overall movement and balance

The part of the brain that deals with complex emotions and thoughts in us is called the frontal cortex. This part of the brain sits in the forehead of both horse and human, just below the part of the skull that is called frontalis or simply the forehead bone.

This area of the brain is responsible for our reasoning and is something that makes humans completely unique. There is no one else who has as well-developed a prefrontal cortex as we have. With this part of the brain we can plan, we can compare, we can assess situations based on past experience. We can weigh the pros and cons of a situation, and we can link factors that do not necessarily occur simultaneously.

This is also where we can feel complex emotions like hatred or jealousy. In us humans, these complex functions fill almost the entire front third of our brain. In the horse, there is a very small frontal lobe, which is involved in learning and reactions to experiences. The vast majority of the same area is instead filled with a greatly enlarged area, which takes care of movements based on sensory impressions.


The prefrontal cortex

It often happens that a human interprets the horse's behavior as jealousy. Purely anatomically, however, we know that the horse does not have a well-developed prefrontal cortex, and that this is where the feeling of jealousy comes from. So, can a horse be jealous? Probably not.

But what happens when you talk to another horse, for example, and your horse comes and chases the other horse away?

Let’s first look at how it works when we feel jealous. In fact, it's rarely a behavior - it's rarely something we act on, but a feeling we have inside. Of course, it happens that people act on this feeling, and it can go as far as jealousy killing, but again, it is definitely one of the rarities. Thus, we can also say that it is quite rare for jealousy to be a behavior, but rather a mood. Can one see and observe moods from the outside? Not necessarily.


Can a horse be jealous?

Can a horse be jealous? Probably not. 

Our prefrontal cortex is precisely specialized in comparing and interpreting everything, and it can be a hindrance in many contexts because it also causes us to draw false conclusions.

1.

We tend to believe that all living beings act as we do, even if we have some degree of awareness that this is not actually the case.

2.

If we cannot find a better explanation, then we grab one that is easy for our brain to understand  because we can identify with it.


3.

Knowledge of the horse's brain can contribute to a better understanding of the horse

Our brains can do a lot that horses cannot. But horses' brains can also do a lot that ours cannot

THE HORSE'S BRAIN

By animal behavior therapist Bettina Hvidemose Riisberg, Center for Animal Therapy.
Photo: Archive.

How the horse's and the human brain differ from each other

Many people are familiar with the fact that the horse is a prey animal, and this basically means that the horse's reaction and perception of its surroundings works considerably differently than ours. But what are the real differences between a horse brain and a human brain, and how are they expressed?

THE OVERALL DIFFERENCES

Weight

Our human brain typically weighs between 1.2 and 1.4 kg. The horse brain weighs between 600 and 800 g. There is an old myth which says that the horse's brain is only the size of a walnut, which is by no means true, but the horse's brain is smaller than ours.

Motor and language skills

Compared to the horse, our brain has expanded with extra refined motor skills, which, for example, is what allows us to type easily and quickly on a keyboard without moving the rest of the body. In addition, our brain contains a large area dedicated to our very complex developed language, which partly contains the verbal language, but also many more communication nuances than the horse has.

The prefrontal cortex

Finally, we also have an area that specializes in complex emotions and thoughts. This is not saying that a horse cannot think or have emotions, but that we have a very large area in our brain that takes care of complex functions in relation to both thoughts and emotions. This differs from the horse where this area largely does not exist.

Overall balance and movement

On the other hand, the horse has a larger cerebellum, which means that the horse is considerably better at overall movement and balance. Most humans would be injured more than once trying to do what horses can. But the horse's brain ensures that the horse stays upright and can travel long distances in very different terrain. In addition, the horse's brain specializes in receiving sensory input and acting on it without complex mental or emotional interference.

The prefrontal cortex

The part of the brain that deals with complex emotions and thoughts in us is called the frontal cortex. This part of the brain sits in the forehead of both horse and human, just below the part of the skull that is called frontalis or simply the forehead bone.

This area of the brain is responsible for our reasoning and is something that makes humans completely unique. There is no one else who has as well-developed a prefrontal cortex as we have. With this part of the brain we can plan, we can compare, we can assess situations based on past experience. We can weigh the pros and cons of a situation, and we can link factors that do not necessarily occur simultaneously.

This is also where we can feel complex emotions like hatred or jealousy. In us humans, these complex functions fill almost the entire front third of our brain. In the horse, there is a very small frontal lobe, which is involved in learning and reactions to experiences. The vast majority of the same area is instead filled with a greatly enlarged area, which takes care of movements based on sensory impressions.


Can a horse be jealous?

It often happens that a human interprets the horse's behavior as jealousy. Purely anatomically, however, we know that the horse does not have a well-developed prefrontal cortex, and that this is where the feeling of jealousy comes from. So, can a horse be jealous? Probably not.

But what happens when you talk to another horse, for example, and your horse comes and chases the other horse away?

Let’s first look at how it works when we feel jealous. In fact, it's rarely a behavior - it's rarely something we act on, but a feeling we have inside. Of course, it happens that people act on this feeling, and it can go as far as jealousy killing, but again, it is definitely one of the rarities. Thus, we can also say that it is quite rare for jealousy to be a behavior, but rather a mood. Can one see and observe moods from the outside? Not necessarily.


Why do we attribute human emotions to horses?

Why is it that we humans tend to look and observe our horses, and attribute to them our own human emotions based on the behavior we see? There are several potential answers to that question.

Not jealousy but a natural reaction

But what is it then that controls the horse's behavior in the situation if it does not feel jealous? The horse's brain is far more simply arranged than ours. Therefore, the reason need not be more complex than that the horse sees you and has associated you with something good and therefore wants to go to you. The other horse stands in the way, and therefore it moves to create free passage to you. It is not jealousy, but rather a completely practical solution to achieve something that the horse wants.

In the same way, we can reject claims that horses are trying to annoy us, test us, feel hatred, or take revenge. All of this would require well-developed frontal lobes that horses do not have. Often, the behavior of the horse needs to be explained far less complexly based on the brain's signaling pathways. Let's take a closer look at them.


Different signal paths

Our brain can do a lot that horses cannot. But horses' brains can also do a lot that ours cannot. As mentioned, the horse is better at overall motor skilss, which is smart when you are a prey animal and already from foal must be able to move quickly and coordinated, which the foal already masters after a few hours.

In the human brain, the signal from the thalamus is passed on to the visual center at the back of the brain, which subsequently forwards to our frontal lobe, which thinks about what it is we have seen and decides on it. If our frontal lobe assesses that it requires movement, then the information is forwarded to the motor center, if applicable.

In the horse´s brain, the process starts in the same way, but the signal from the thalamus is sent directly to the motor center, which causes the horse to move without thinking about it first. In other words, in a horse the way from thought to action is very short.

If the object actually seems threatening, there can also be an activation of the hypothalamus and amygdala, which triggers a stress reaction that can lead to escape, where the horse runs away from the impact. It can also happen that the horse 'freezes' and stands completely still, or that it becomes aggressive and attacks the object. The latter option is quite rare and occurs only on the background of a very high level of stress.

Not only is the anatomy of the brain different, but the signaling pathways in the brain are also different, which may explain some of the reactions that the horse sometimes exhibits, and which may seem unnecessarily violent or less constructive from our point of view. When you are a prey animal, however, it is enormously inappropriate if you first have to consider whether it is smart to escape. The movement should preferably take place completely automatically and without hesitation if you are to survive in nature.


 Horses do not try to be provocative

So, when the horse reacts with the type of behavior that can be interpreted as "provocative", "annoying", something it does to "test us" or "disrespect us”, then it is simply just a product of that the horse's brain responding to something that is threatening or unpleasant. It's not something it does to its rider.

Therefore, we can basically say that most forms of problem behavior in the horse are about the horse reacting based on its physiology and nature. If the horse often exhibits motor reactions in certain contexts, it is our job to locate the reason why the horse's brain reacts in this way. If we assume that the horse's brain functions in the same way as ours, it can lead to major misunderstandings, which compromise the welfare of the horse and reduce the quality of the collaboration with it.


Do not add human characteristics to horses

When we assess the horse's reactions, it is therefore always crucial not to attribute human qualities, but at the same time also keep in mind what the horse's brain can do. It can be just as problematic to give it fewer competencies as to give it too many. As horse owners and riders, a large part of our responsibility must be to minimize the extent of unnecessary stress in the horse's life and ensure positive moods as much as possible. Part of the reason for being able to do this is to understand exactly what the horse can and cannot do. It allows us to more appropriately interpret our horses.

Horse Brain Human Brain – The Neuroscience of Horsemanship by Janet L. Jones, 2020

Solving Equine Behaviour Problems: An Equitation Science Approach by Rose M Scofiels, 2020

Equine Behavioural Medicine by Bonnie V. Beaver, 2019

Equitation Science by McGreevy, Christensen, König og McLean, 2018

Conference Proceedings from Horses Inside Out conference, 2018 og 2020 (Dr. Andrew Hemmings)

Neuroanatomy of the equine brain as revealed by high-field (3Tesla) magnetic-resonance-imaging, Martin J. Schmidt, Carola Knemeyer, Helmut Heinsen, 2019

Applied neurophysiology of the horse; implications for training, husbandry and welfare, Sebastian D. McBride, Matthew O.Parker, Kirsty Roberts, Andrew Hemmings, 2017

Equine Behaviour in Mind - Applying Behavioural Science to the Way We Keep, Work and Care for Horses by Suzanne Rogers. 2017


Sources

Content, competitions & community - straight to your inbox


Follow us 

Cat

Dog

Horse

Human

The horse's cerebellum is larger than ours. Therefore, it has a better overall movement and balance

Can a horse be jealous? Probably not. 

1.

Our prefrontal cortex is precisely specialized in comparing and interpreting everything, and it can be a hindrance in many contexts because it also causes us to draw false conclusions.

2.

If we cannot find a better explanation, then we grab one that is easy for our brain to understand  because we can identify with it.


3.

We tend to believe that all living beings act as we do, even if we have some degree of awareness that this is not actually the case.

Knowledge of the horse's brain can contribute to a better understanding of the horse

Our brains can do a lot that horses cannot. But horses' brains can also do a lot that ours cannot

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