Help needed please with Horse Psychology project

[annt2027]

Hi guys
I am currently working towards a certifcate level in horsemanship, and a part of this course requires that I submit a horse psychology project. So, Please could you help me with gathering of information. The project I have choosen is 'can a horse's character be determined by looking into its eye'. Yes, I know its an old one, but could the horse/rider/owner/trainers welfare be compromised if the horse was acquired by using this theory? I aim to find out. Could you all please vote on the poll I have put in with this post.
Thanks.

 

[Gingerwitch]

The eye can tell you so much - fear, excitement, kindness, inquesitivenes, worry, aggression - it is the way us humans read it that can be the problem.

 

[Cliqmo]

My Mum always thought that a horse with a 'pig eye' would be inclined to be stubborn and difficult so judged them negatively, however I think the general demeanour of the horse is better told by looking at the whole package (eyes, ears, nostrils, legs fidgetting, tail switching, head carriage etc)

 

[teddyt]

[ QUOTE ]
The eye can tell you so much - fear, excitement, kindness, inquesitivenes, worry, aggression - it is the way us humans read it that can be the problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree with this. Would also say that you shouldnt buy a horse just on the look in its eye! If you do that then you are a bit silly!

 

[annt2027]

Yes Gingerwitch, I agree, but what if the person 'labelled' the horse as having a soft/kind eye - this horse would probably be treated accordingly, however, if the horse was labelled as having a 'wild/bad' eye, would the horse be treated with a much heavier approach than was required. And, what if the person doing the labelling got it wrong? Labels and baggage stick, so, what if the labelled 'wild/bad' eyed horse was of a gentle/nervous nature......the heavy approach would be totally innapropriate, likewise would the more gentle, passive approach afforded to the horse labelled with a 'kind/soft' eye
be innapropriate too?
I know this sounds a little superficial, but you won't believe where this is taking me, it's throwing up all kinds of issues. Which is why I have turned to you guys for further help in establishing just how many believe they can tell the character, and how many don't believe the theory. My subject matter will consist of several pictures of different horse's facial features, maybe one of them will have a behavioural problem - which I will establish is not down to a physical problem. I will then ask my human subjects [those who believe they can determine the character], to look at the eye only, the rest of the facial features ears, nose and mouth will have been removed. When this is done, they will be asked to repeat the same exercise using Human facial features, to see if they can determine any characteristic from their eye. I am still only in the very beginning of this project, so there will be a lot more tweaks needed to get it exactly right. Any suggestions are welcome whether + or -, they all help.

 

[Flame_]

I have a bolter who has one of the kindest eyes and the sweetest nature I've ever come across. I don't know if that supports or disproves your theory.

 

[natalia]

Don't think its always true, but sometimes is. I know a few who have small piggy eyes but are very generous horses, i know a few with a kind look that are horrid. And then there's those ponies with that naughty glint.

 

[Dubsie]

I can't answer this! No 1 Little Grey Welshie has a wall eye - her two eyes are totally different. Also, she's generally far cheekier from her wall eye side - she does things like nip my bum then turns to face straight ahead and uses her wall eye to look 'blank' and totally innocent. Whereas she knows I know it could only be her that nipped me.

She looks far prettier from the brown eye side, and even seems to know it - tends to flick her eyelashes and show that side to the camera.

Hmmnn does this mean she has a split personality?

 

[brucea]

Annt2027 has the right idea - it's all about preconceptions in the part of the handler - out behaviour heavilly influences how the horse behaves. I have seen horses completely change character with another handler - and it;s the same horse!

 

[annt2027]

Hi Flame,
Thanks for your input. Do you think I could possibly have a facial picture of your horse that 'bolts' please. It would really help in my project. If you can help, please send the picture to ann@strawberryfarm.eu
Many thanks
Ann.