Horses are remarkably skilled at reading energy, both in other horses and in other species. By recognizing changes in another individual’s energy, they can also predict intentions.
Imagine an antelope drinking from the same water source as a lion. It tolerates the lion’s presence until the lion’s intentions change. At that moment the antelope reacts instantly and leaves. Horses utilize a similar ability when assessing humans.
This ability to read human energy can be used to build a stronger relationship with the horse. We can do this by showing the horse that it can influence what we do and by helping the horse respond to our energy.
Related: How to Get a Relaxed Horse: Focus Training Explained
Horses love to play and will often mirror each other’s movements and energy levels. We can mirror them in return to create better interaction. The goal is to observe and copy how horses play with one another and use those principles with our own horses.
Interaction without demands increases variety in training and can improve motivation. It is also very useful for horses that cannot be trained in other ways for a period of time. As a bonus, it can be a light cardiovascular workout for us as well.
In practice, this approach is used in horsemanship and behavior-based training to improve attunement, intention, and non-contact communication without relying on pressure or traditional cues. It fits within welfare-oriented work, where the goal is not performance but mutual understanding and reduced tension.
First: Show the Horse That You Can Read Its Energy
Many horses have never experienced that a human can read and react to small changes in their energy. It may therefore take some time before the horse realizes that the person is paying attention and that it can influence the person’s energy in return. From a biological standpoint, all horses can read human energy — they simply need to become aware that interaction is possible.
Start with the Horse Loose in an Enclosed Area
A good starting point is working with the horse loose in a paddock or arena, where you mirror all of the horse’s movements and energy from a comfortable distance.
To mirror means to:
- look where the horse looks
- walk with the same rhythm and tempo as the horse’s front feet
- turn the same direction as the horse
- jog if the horse trots
- match muscle tension if the horse tightens its body
- relax and exhale when the horse relaxes
- freeze if the horse freezes, and then relax again to signal that the horse can relax as well
Observe whether the horse begins to relate to you differently. It may eventually choose to be closer to you because you have shown that you understand its language.
Influencing the Horse’s Energy
After spending time mirroring the horse, the next step is to try influencing the horse’s movement. It is easiest to start with the horse loose and at a distance. Individual horses vary; some are highly responsive to what we do, while others are more laid-back.
See also: How to Recognize the 3 Types of Anxiety in Horses
Success depends on changing our energy at moments when we have the horse’s attention — when it has us in its peripheral vision or turns an ear toward us. Patience is important; wait for the right moment.
Ideas When the Horse Is Loose
For example:
- run away from the horse and see if it reacts
- stop abruptly, turn, and run in another direction
- run alongside the horse and see if you can bring it into canter
The goal is to make it a playful interaction without demands, alternating between copying the horse’s energy and leading. If the horse does not respond at all, try again on another day and spend more time letting the horse lead.
No Chasing and No Demands
It is important to emphasize that this is not about chasing the horse. The intention is mutual influence without pressure or expectations. What happens depends largely on the horse’s personality.
Once the horse realizes that you read its energy and that it can read yours, the interaction can become surprisingly playful. Horses are often far more playful than many people assume.
The only limit is imagination.
Before starting, set aside all expectations about outcomes. Be mentally present, and avoid this work on days when you are stressed or preoccupied. Horses detect tension in humans immediately.
Energy Work on a Lead Rope
If you do not have the time or facility to work with the horse loose, you can do the same work on a lead rope. This allows you to help the horse understand what you are asking. Here you can combine following, leading, and light training. There is no issue with letting the horse take the lead at times.
The handler influences energy, not movement.
Some practical ideas:
- allow the horse to lead and copy its movements
- lead the horse outside and let it choose where to go
- take the lead and let the horse follow you
- practice transitions from halt to walk by increasing your own energy (slowly and repeatedly), initially with light help from the lead rope
- bring the horse into trot by trotting in place next to it
- stop by lowering your own energy
- ask for canter by “cantering” with your body next to the horse (for the more advanced)
- walk over poles or jump small cross rails
Many horses relax deeply when given space to settle.
Let the Horse Lead Under Saddle
Under saddle it is essential to let go of expectations about what a training session usually looks like. To train the horse to follow energy rather than physical aids, we must avoid rein contact, leg pressure, and clucking cues.
Most horses are accustomed to highly predictable riding routines. They rarely get to decide what will happen or where to go. It may therefore take time before the horse fully participates in the “game.” However, as long as the goal of the ride is to explore energy use, the session is successful.
A calm baseline makes energy changes clearer and easier to read.
By letting the horse lead under saddle, we create positive associations with riding — without pressure or demands. It is best to let the horse lead at first and then alternate between leading and following.
Ideas:
- let the horse go wherever it chooses; observe what it does
- if safe, try this outside the arena, but avoid influencing where the horse goes
- ride “without steering,” letting the horse make decisions; you may end up circling the yard or paddocks, which is perfectly fine
- ask the horse to slow down or speed up by increasing or decreasing your own muscle tone and movement
- ask the horse to turn by rotating your body and looking in the direction you want to go
- exhale and relax to see if the horse slows its pace
- gradually increase the tempo
- if the horse rolls into canter, simply follow
Why Train This Way?
There are many benefits to teaching the horse to read human energy, including:
- strengthening trust and the human-horse relationship
- reducing nervousness in anxious horses
- riding with lighter cues
- understanding the horse’s personality
- improving our ability to read the horse
- spending time with the horse without demands
- increasing motivation in both horse and rider
- enriching the horse’s daily life
There are many positives, but stay within your own limits and avoid asking for more energy than you can handle. First learn who your horse is, then gradually increase intensity and challenge.
Related: How to Get a Relaxed Horse: Focus Training Explained
Final Tips
Always begin each session by showing the horse that you read its energy before expecting it to read yours. Then take the lead and see if the horse follows your energy. When handling or riding, raise and lower your energy slowly so the horse has time to respond.
If the horse is loose in a large area, quicker movements are acceptable — but be prepared that the horse may mirror you. This can include bucking or rearing in play (not aggression). This is normal and part of the interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can horses read human energy?
Horses are highly sensitive to changes in movement, muscle tone, intention and attention. They use these subtle cues to predict human behavior and adjust their own energy during interaction.
Is this the same as liberty or free riding?
Not exactly. Liberty work can include non-contact communication, but the goal here is attunement and mutual influence without pressure, not performance or tricks.
Does this replace traditional horse training?
No. It complements traditional handling and riding by improving non-verbal communication, motivation and welfare, which often makes conventional work safer and more effective.
Is pressure always bad in horse training?
No. Pressure and release are standard learning tools, but horses also benefit from sessions without pressure where play and self-initiated movement are allowed. This can reduce tension and build trust.
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