When considering the purchase or lease of a horse, there are numerous factors to take consider: physical health, training demands, and suitability for your specific needs are common among them, and rightfully so. However, one crucial aspect that is often overlooked is the full scale and impact of the horse’s psychological profile. Understanding how a horse processes its environment and interacts with human emotion and intention is not only essential for your success as a team but also for the horse’s overall well-being. It is not enough that a horse can physically accommodate your needs and your goals, they need to mentally be able to handle the emotional demands of this process. We must be mindful of an ever-present rider which accompanies every horse, instinct; we cannot domesticate the natural herd dynamic.
This is where a - Pre-Purchase Psychological Evaluation - comes into play, providing invaluable insight into the horse’s natural tendencies, emotional needs, and sensory strengths. Defining the behavioral genetic characteristics is the key to unlocking talent. The operating system after all, is running the machine.
What is a Pre-Purchase Psychological Evaluation?
A psychological evaluation assesses a horse’s mental and emotional characteristics, which are just as important as its physical capabilities. This process helps ensure that the horse and rider are compatible, not just in terms of discipline, but also in terms of emotional needs and communication styles. It allows the potential owner or lessor to understand how the horse manages stress, operates under different circumstances, and how sensory sound or unsound a horse is. In short, it is both an owner’s manual and a reference guide on how to build a mutually respectful and productive relationship.
What You Can Expect from a Psychological Evaluation:
When an in-person evaluation where we take our own video and photo’s, is not practical, I use video and photo samples provided to observe the horse’s behavior, identifying tendencies and patterns of expression. I pay close attention to how they distribute emotional energy, respond to stress, and interact with their environment and handler. For instance, I recently evaluated a 9-year-old Gypsy Cob for a Pre-Purchase Psychological Exam. My findings revealed key aspects of her sensory processing, energy distribution, and stress tolerance, all of which are critical to understanding how she will behave in different situations. All indeed, key factors to consider for the client to consider before committing to the relationship. Good looks and great family lineage as we all know, does not mean said individual is compatible or even good for. Entering into a potentially toxic relationship is not the horse’s fault.
Below are a few of the key insights from the recent evaluation, a sneak peek at the notes:
- Energy Distribution: The mare displayed thoughtful, careful movement with a manageable emotional energy. Her slight deferral in certain situations indicated that she seeks emotional support from her human, especially when faced with uncertainty. These scenarios will bring about the onset of herd-isolation, where the horse suddenly feels exposed which triggers an interrupted behavior pattern.
- Willingness to Please: Throughout the evaluation, it became clear that this horse is eager to please, but she also requires consistent guidance to help her stay in sync with human expectations. Her forward movement was strong and powerful. Thoughtful traits that, when properly managed, can be an asset, but left unchecked, can lead to non-purposeful movements (reckless) as they can overflow without proper curation.
- Stress Tolerance: This evaluation also highlighted the importance of emotional connection. This mare has a tendency to seek emotional support from her peer (human handler) rather than relying on the external environment or physical triggers. Without this connection, emotional stress could accumulate. Consistent emotional leadership, more so than physical cues, is vital to her well-being and performance.
- Sensory Lead Changes (SLC): Horses often experience a slight delay when switching sensory focus during physical transitions. This mare’s SLC was slightly delayed, just enough to cause her to “float” - (drift) - and become momentarily unfocused - (expressed as disrupted physical fluency) - during directional changes. With preparation and clear cues, these transitions can be managed smoothly, but it’s important to understand her processing needs. For example, I advise that 3 to 4 seconds prior to asking for a known physical or directional lead change, you should begin mental and physical preparation so that she has time to accommodate the actions before the act itself. In cases where situational chaos does not allow for such preparation, have the expectation that the horse will need 5 to 6 seconds of time to properly realign their sensory sequences and balance their mental rhythm. In her case, this time is consistent regardless of her physical pace. *The same cannot be said for all horses.
These were just a scant few bits of the full evaluation, but they highlight some of the most prevailing and influential behavioral characteristics that are as much a part of the horse as her beautiful physical. I remind my client that with a horse, you’re investing in both car and driver. You can an incredible looking car, but if its driver cannot optimize all its capacity, you can be quite disappointed. Knowing who your horse is helps you go into the relationship with realistic expectations.
Psychological Evaluations are Essential:
No horse should be purchased or leased without understanding its psychological makeup. Doing so is not only being responsible for the horse’s welfare but accountable for their inherent needs. It is also fiscally wise for the buyer. Horses, like humans, have emotional and psychological needs, and when these are overlooked, it can lead to challenges that could have been avoided. Ensuring that the horse and the human are a good emotional fit means fewer surprises down the road and sets the relationship up for success from day one. Having goals in mind is one thing, achievable goals however, may be something else entirely.
Additionally, understanding a horse’s psychological profile is part of being responsible for the animal’s long-term happiness. It’s not just about finding a horse to fit into your life; it’s about making sure that the horse fits comfortably in the role you envision for them. Horses should go where they fit, not be asked to fit where they go.
A Worthwhile Investment for Both Horse and Owner:
A pre-purchase psychological evaluation offers insight that goes beyond physical traits or training. It ensures that you and the horse have a foundation for a harmonious relationship, built on mutual understanding and respect. With this kind of insight, you are better equipped to make decisions that benefit both you and the horse, ensuring a smoother partnership, healthier emotional dynamics, and a more fulfilling journey together.
If you are interested in booking a Pre-Purchase Psychological Evaluation, don’t hesitate, for who the horse is plays a significant role in everything they can become. How they are trained, managed and their capacity to optimize physical talent and fulfill those promises written in their pedigree, all run through their psychology. If you ask nothing else, you must always ask yourself this: How well is the operating system, running the machine?
Reach out and book-in today! Visit Horse Hunter here on this website to get assistance on finding your new best mate and to request a quote for a Pre-Purchase Psychological Exam for any horses you’ve circled on your list of prospects!
~Kerry
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