The knowledge of the nature of a horse 
is one of the first foundations 
of the art of riding it. Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere

Understanding how horses think, act and move naturally within the herd is an important consideration that I use to improve communication between horses and their owners. Building our understanding from the horse's point of view as a prey animal (potential food for predators), being asked to follow the suggestions of predators (humans), is imperative to establishing a trusting partnership. Horses are programmed by nature to outsmart predators - if they weren't, they would have become extinct. They are born to be perceptive to danger, sceptical, claustrophobic, gregarious (herd-bound) and to take flight from fear in order to survive. When humans enter their world, we are asking them to go against their instincts and trust predators, enter small enclosed spaces (float loading), not to perceive anything a dangerous, leave the safety of the herd and not to run when fearful. Proving to a horse that we are not a threat but a faithful friend who will reliably look after their primary need to feel comfortable and safe, is the first step to building a mutual communication system.

Horses are always 'talking' to each other via a language unique to their species, relying primarily on body language to communicate. Although they do make vocal sounds, generally their 'words' consist of various behaviours, stances and expressions to form 'sentences'. Once we know what the 'words' horses use are, their body language holds the key to responding appropriately. When horses are scared or dominant etc. their head, ears, eyes, mouth, body, tail and feet show us how they are feeling and are apt to react. How we respond when horses are 'talking' to us has a direct impact on how we get along with them. It is also imperative we key into our own body language around horses as to not misrepresent our intentions. Anything and everything we do in the presence of horses means something and every communication causes a response, desirable or undesirable.