Understanding your horse’s personality is the cornerstone of a successful partnership. When you encounter a horse that is flighty, fast-footed, and full of nervous energy, you might be dealing with a specific temperament known as the Right Brain Extrovert. This isn’t a “bad” horse; it’s a sensitive horse operating on survival instincts. Effective Right Brain Extrovert Horse Training isn’t about dominance or force; it’s about becoming the calm, confident leader your horse desperately needs to feel secure.
At its core, a Right Brain Extrovert (RBE) horse is ruled by a combination of fear and high energy. Their minds are constantly scanning for danger, and their bodies are primed to flee at a moment’s notice. To them, a plastic bag rustling in the wind isn’t a minor distraction—it’s a potential predator. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward adjusting your methods and building a foundation of trust.
Identifying the Right Brain Extrovert Horse
How can you tell if your horse fits this profile? RBE horses display a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from other temperaments. While every horse is an individual, you’ll likely notice a pattern of reactive behaviors.
Common Characteristics:
- Hyper-Alertness: They have a high head carriage, with ears constantly swiveling and eyes wide. They are the first to notice anything new or out of place in their environment.
- Constant Motion: These horses struggle to stand still. They may pace in their stall, fidget on the cross-ties, and are often described as “forward-aholics” under saddle. This isn’t naughtiness; it’s an expression of internal anxiety.
- Tension and Nerves: An RBE horse often holds a great deal of tension in its body. You might notice a tight jaw, a clamped tail, and tense musculature.
- Strong Flight Instinct: When faced with fear or uncertainty, their immediate and powerful instinct is to run. This can make them seem unpredictable, as their adrenaline can surge in an instant.
- Emotional and Reactive: They react instinctively to situations rather than thinking them through. Their emotional state is often worn on their sleeve, making them appear spooky or defensive.
The Psychology Behind the Behavior
To effectively train a Right Brain Extrovert, you must understand the “why” behind their actions. These horses are not deliberately trying to be difficult. Their behavior is a manifestation of a deeply ingrained survival instinct.
According to equine behavior specialist Dr. Eleanor Vance, “The Right Brain Extrovert lives in a state of heightened alert. Their right hemisphere, responsible for emotional and survival responses, is in the driver’s seat. Combine that with an extroverted, high-energy nature, and you have a horse that expresses its fear through movement.”
This means that traditional training methods that rely on pressure can easily backfire. For an RBE, excessive pressure confirms their fear that there is something to be scared of, leading to more panic and a stronger desire to flee. Their primary need is not correction, but a sense of security. Your role is to prove you are a trustworthy leader who can provide that safety. Understanding the nuances of equine psychology is crucial, which is why it’s so important to learn how to train a right brain extrovert horse with empathy and knowledge.
Core Principles of Training the RBE Horse
Forget the old-school mentality of “making the horse submit.” With an RBE, your mantra should be “connect, then direct.” Your entire training program must revolve around one central goal: building confidence.
1. You Must Be a Calm Leader
Your horse will mirror your emotional state. If you are tense, anxious, or frustrated, you will only amplify their fear.
“A calm and centered leadership is paramount,” advises Dr. Vance. “You must be the rock in their emotional storm. When you are calm, you signal to your horse that there is nothing to fear, which allows them to borrow your confidence.”
2. Prioritize Safety and Security
Every training session should be designed to make the horse feel safer with you than without you. This means creating a predictable and consistent environment where the horse learns that you are a source of comfort, not pressure.
3. Slow Down to Speed Up
With a horse that wants to rush everywhere, the most effective tool is to control the tempo. Rushing through exercises will only feed their anxiety. Instead, focus on slowing down their thoughts and their feet. This requires immense patience. You must be willing to wait for the horse to process your request and respond with a calm mind.
Actionable Training Techniques
So, how do you put these principles into practice? The key is to use simple, repetitive exercises that build confidence and help the horse learn to relax.
Groundwork is Non-Negotiable
Before you ever think about riding, a solid foundation of groundwork is essential. This is where you establish your leadership and build trust.
- Frequent Disengagement: Teaching the horse to yield its hindquarters is a powerful tool. This movement is physically difficult to do when a horse is panicking and running. By repeatedly asking them to disengage their hind end (a “one-rein stop” on the ground), you are teaching them a relaxation response. When they start to get anxious, you can use this familiar pattern to bring their energy down and get their mind back to you.
- Approach and Retreat: If a horse is scared of an object, forcing them to confront it is counterproductive. Instead, use the approach and retreat method. Move them toward the scary object until they show the slightest sign of concern, then immediately turn and walk them away, letting them relax. This teaches them that you will not push them past their threshold and that the “safe space” is with you.
- Parelli Patterns: Using structured patterns, like those in the Parelli program, can give an RBE a sense of purpose. The predictability of the pattern is comforting and helps them focus their mind instead of worrying about the environment.
Under Saddle Strategies
Once you are riding, the same principles apply. Keep things simple, repetitive, and focused on relaxation.
- Focus on Transitions: Instead of long periods of fast work, ask for frequent transitions. Go from walk to trot, trot to halt, halt to walk. This keeps their mind engaged with you and discourages them from building nervous energy.
- Ride with One Rein: If the horse becomes scared, your instinct might be to pull back on both reins. This creates a feeling of being trapped and can cause the horse to panic more. Instead, learn to use a single rein to disengage the hindquarters, which slows their momentum and breaks the cycle of fear.
- Be Consistent: Right Brain Extroverts have trouble with change. New environments or new exercises can be challenging. Introduce new things slowly and rely on your foundation of familiar, repetitive exercises to keep them confident.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Training an RBE is as much about what you don’t do as what you do.
- ❌ Don’t Punish Fear: Never reprimand a horse for spooking. This is like punishing a child for being afraid of the dark. It will only damage their trust in you and validate their fear.
- ❌ Don’t Overload Their Senses: Asking for too much, too soon, is a recipe for disaster. Be mindful of their threshold. If you sense them getting anxious, back off and return to an exercise they know and are confident with.
- ❌ Don’t Argue: If your horse wants to move, redirect that movement into a productive pattern. Arguing or trying to force them to stand still will only create a fight and escalate their anxiety.
The Reward: A True Partnership
Training a Right Brain Extrovert horse requires patience, empathy, and a deep commitment to understanding equine psychology. It may take longer than with other horse personalities, but the reward is immeasurable. When you successfully show this type of horse that you are their safe place, you will earn a level of trust and loyalty that is truly profound. By focusing on connection over correction, you can unlock the willing, confident partner that exists within your reactive horse and master the art of right brain extrovert horse training.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a Right Brain Extrovert and a Left Brain Extrovert?
A Right Brain Extrovert is motivated by fear and survival instincts, expressing this through high-energy, reactive behavior. A Left Brain Extrovert is also high-energy, but they are confident and playful, motivated by curiosity and a desire for games. Their “extrovert” behavior is about dominance and play, not fear.
Can a horse’s personality type change over time?
Yes, a horse’s behavior can change with training, age, and environment. With confident and consistent handling, a Right Brain Extrovert can learn to be much calmer and more self-assured. However, their innate tendency will likely always be to react with flight, so consistent, trust-based handling remains important.
Is a Right Brain Extrovert horse dangerous?
Any horse can be dangerous, but an RBE’s unpredictability can be a risk. Because they are driven by a strong flight instinct, they can react suddenly and powerfully when scared. However, with the right training that builds their confidence in their leader, they can become very safe and reliable partners.
How long does it take to train a Right Brain Extrovert?
There is no set timeline. It depends on the individual horse, its past experiences, and the consistency of the handler. The focus should be on progress, not perfection. Building the deep level of trust an RBE needs is a slow and steady process that can take months or even years.
What should I do if my RBE horse has a major spook or panic attack?
The priority is safety for both you and the horse. If you are on the ground, use your disengagement technique to get control of their feet and redirect their energy. If you are riding, use a one-rein stop to prevent bolting. Do not punish them. Once the immediate danger is over, your job is to be calm, reassure them, and return to simple, familiar exercises to re-establish confidence.
