Our techniques
Body language is the root of all horse communication. As soon as humans give confusing messages to the equine - or use bullying tactics - uncertainty or fear means that instincts take over from thinking and learning opportunities are lost.
Every technique used by our rehabilitation team is based on reading and mimicking a horse's body langage. The team avoid eye contact with a nervous horse, as this could be read by the horse as aggressive, and always avoid harsh quick movements.
The horses that the team look after broadly fit into three categories - unhandled, abused, and those expressing dominant behaviour. Please click on the links below to find out more.
> Handling the unhandled - Redwings has specialist skills in rescuing horses that have had no human contact. Young unhandled equines are often the easiest to rehabilitate, as they are naturally curious and have less preconceptions about the human touch.
These ponies were unhandled when they were rescued, but many have successfully gone on to be re-homed
> Rehabilitating abused equines - Abused equines often have an intense fear of human touch, so it takes a lot of time and patience to reassure them that human touch can be a positive experience
Spirit sufferred horrendous abuse in the past. Here you can see his handler training him to accept human contact. She is standing far away from him so that she does not invade his personal space and frighten him.
> Dominant behaviour - Horses that believe they are higher than humans in the pecking order can be aggressive and sometimes dangerous. It is a learnt behaviour that can be easier remedied if the right approach is taken.
This horse is warning us that she may become aggressive, by laying her ears flat back on her head.
