Debbie Moore Classical Dressage Trainer

02/05/2026

22/04/2026

11/04/2026

A one-day online event featuring presentations and discussions from Understand Horses Certified Professional Horse Trainers.

11/04/2026

YOUR HORSES ARE WATCHING YOU – AND LEARNING MORE THAN YOU THINK

As you go about your daily routine looking after your horses – maybe opening gates, switching on lights, lifting latches – it’s easy to assume your horse is just waiting. But research suggests they may be watching closely, and learning from what you do.

A study from the University of Regensburg investigated whether horses could learn a completely new task just by observing a human. Twenty-four horses were introduced to a feed box that could only be opened by pressing a switch positioned a short distance away. All horses were first allowed to eat from the open box so they understood it contained food, before being tested on how to access it once closed.

The horses were then split into two groups. One group watched a familiar human demonstrator press the switch, walk to the box, and take food from inside. The other group received no demonstration and simply explored the setup themselves. Horses were given repeated trials over several days to see whether they could learn to operate the switch.

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Eight out of twelve horses who observed the human learned to press the switch and open the box, compared to just two out of twelve in the control group. This strongly suggests that the horses were learning through observation, not just trial and error.

Individual horses also differed in how they solved the task. Some used their lips, others their teeth, and some pawed at the switch. One horse succeeded almost immediately, while another required many more repetitions. The demonstrator was always someone familiar, which is important, as horses are known to pay more attention to people they recognise.

So, if horses can learn to manipulate a novel object like this just by watching us, how much are they learning from us every day, without us even realising?

Study: Social learning across species: Horses (Equus caballus) learn from humans by observations, Animal Cognition (2016)

07/04/2026

with Dr. Caroline Loos and Gillian Higgins.

02/04/2026

ARE WE WEANING FOALS TOO EARLY?

From the horses and problems I see, I know the answer is yes. Now an interesting new study suggests that how we manage the mare–foal relationship doesn’t just affect the foal in the short term, but can shape how they think, cope, and behave as adults.

Researchers compared foals weaned at around 6 months with those who remained with their mothers for longer, looking at brain development, behaviour, learning ability, and physiological stress markers.

Foals who stayed with their mothers:

• Showed differences in brain regions involved in emotional regulation and decision-making

• Had stronger connectivity in brain networks linked to processing information and responding appropriately to the environment

• Were more exploratory, more social, and quicker to approach novelty

• Learned handling tasks in fewer sessions and showed less resistance

• Despite spending less time feeding, foals with their mothers gained more weight

Whereas early-weaned foals:

• Showed higher cortisol levels, indicating greater stress

The concept at the centre of this research is allostasis – the brain’s ability to predict what is likely to happen and adjust behaviour and physiology in advance, based on past experience and current information.

Allostasis isn’t something a horse is born with. It develops through experience and from social learning. The mare appears to play a key role in this process, providing the foal with the information needed to interpret situations accurately. Without that early guidance, the developing horse may be more prone to overreact, misinterpret stimuli, or struggle to regulate stress.

We should be rethinking whether foals are being left with their dams for long enough. I very often see horses with behaviour problems who were weaned at 6 months or earlier (sometimes as young as 3 months), rather than the 8–12 months or longer they would remain with their dam naturally. The difference between foals who have had a more secure early upbringing and those weaned early is often striking in their behaviour, confidence, and ability to cope with the world around them.

The weaning process should not be treated as a management event driven by commercial timelines or the urgency to sell the foal. It is about how early life experience shapes the adult horse.

If behaviour, learning, and stress resilience are being influenced this early, what are the long-term consequences of how we currently raise and manage foals?

Study: Valenchon et al, Affiliative behaviours regulate allostasis development and shape biobehavioural trajectories in horses, 2026, Nature Communications

26/03/2026

Backing Up has Big Benefits

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know this is one of Gillian’s all-time favourite exercises and for good reason.

Backing up is a simple, low-impact movement with no moment of suspension, making it ideal for horses at all levels. It can be performed both in-hand and under saddle, with the horse stepping in clear diagonal pairs.

When done correctly — with relaxation, impulsion, and a softly lowered head, backing up offers powerful benefits:
✨ Increases thoracic vertebral rotation
✨ Encourages core engagement (abdominals, thoracic sling, and hip flexors)
✨ Improves back mobility and posture
✨ Supports collection and overall way of going

This exercise asks your horse to shift more weight onto the hindquarters, maintaining flexion through the hindlimbs, lumbosacral area, and back throughout each step.

How to get started:
Begin with just 1–2 quality steps, and gradually build up to around 20. Focus on long, marching, correct steps rather than rushing or quantity.

Consistency is key. Try to include backing up as part of your daily in-hand work.

Want to perfect your technique?
Comment 'back' below and we’ll send you Gillian’s top tips video for a better back-up.

26/03/2026

https://www.understandhorses.com/pole-work-for-posture-performance-and-partnership-webinar-05-may-2026

12/02/2026

SIMULATOR LESSONS
I will be back at Quarry Farm teaching on the simulator in
April.
Dates to be arranged.
Thank you.

24/12/2025

Equitopia Center offers science-backed equestrian courses and a supportive community. Learn horse care, biomechanics, behavior, and more to make informed, compassionate decisions for your horse.