Training Theory: Fight or Flight

fight or flight instinctHorses are a big, beautiful bundle of nerves. They have the fastest reaction time of any domesticated species, and they are constantly on the alert. They can see nearly 360 degrees around their body at all times, and they are always ready to react to a threat.

Threatened mammals (including horses) have built in instincts for life preservation. When threatened, they can either turn and run or stand and fight. This is called the “Fight or Flight” reflex. Because horses are ill-equipped to fight (they have no horns, fangs, or other very effective fighting weapons,) they generally choose flight.

Predator species are born unfinished, unable to see or function – protected by a mother with teeth and claws. Prey animals, such as foals, are born fully finished with hair, open eyes, and well-functioning legs that can run with the herd in just a matter of hours. Their ability to run serves the flight instinct specifically. When alerted to danger, they can wheel and run in a millisecond.


The fight or flight instinct is a key ingredient in horse training. It is the cornerstone of Pressure as a training tool. It is also the basis for Pasture and Herd Behavior

In most instances of Pressure during training, we expect a horse to try to “get away” from the pressure using “Flight” (in its mildest form). We induce him to either (fly) move away in a direction that we want him to go, or we help him work through the anxiety until he no longer wants to leave (run). If we ask too much and flood the horse with so much anxiety that he is totally overwhelmed, he can be traumatized into fight.

We prepare for (but don’t expect) the “Fight” response. When we encounter unexpected “fight”, it presents unique challenges and dangers. Good trainers are ever-alert to signs that their horse may be being pressured too hard. All training pressure should be as light as possible so as not to overwhelm but strong enough to just get the job done. And release from pressure should be complete and include a “come down” period so that a horse’s nervous system can recover from an anxiety-inducing experience.

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