The Journal of Animal Consciousness Vol 1, Issue 2 Vol 1 Issue 2 | Page 37

prevalent modern ‘use’ of the horse is for equestrian thus only a partial picture is developed. sports, racing and riding pleasure. specifically, human ideas have been imposed upon The paucity of scientific studies relating to More the horse (anthropomorphic) and interpretations are horse psychology, let alone pathology, is a limiting based on domesticity. factor. ‘personality’ tests are developed for equine Not only for the equine field but also for animal welfare. Many of the available Emotional understanding of the performance with a focus on behavioral traits such Equus is unavailable and anecdotal evidence along as dominance, anxiety, excitability, protection, with subjective interpretation are the only guiding sociability and inquisitiveness (Maxwell, 2011). factors in understanding the horse’s mind. This raises some ethical and validity issues. Behavioral approaches to training and interaction Lumping all horses and characterizing them based abound, however, unless a trainer has a keen eye and on their phenotype is reductionist at best and renders understands the interiority of the horse little weight individuality as an impossibility. it given to the horses’ internal milieu. Equus is Domesticity within itself poses real stress for valued based on its potential to provide pleasure to equine physical, mental and emotional health the human alone (anthropocentric). Indeed, it is (Reagan, 2012). Foals are often weaned from their common practice to define animal expression purely dams (mothers) early with little regard to the internal from a behavioral perspective disregarding the needs of the foal or dam in question (Horsetalk, potential for interiority altogether. This is evident in 2013). Rather the focus is on the monetary value the myriad of products available on the market today each represents and the potential human gain. Foals touting increased ‘performance’. are forcibly removed from their dams to allow them Traditionally, equine psychology has focused to be rebred. Indeed, foals are also ‘imprinted’ at on three broad aspects mostly related to equestrian birth meaning they are handled by humans making sports.