In a recent episode of Sinead Halpin Maynard’s podcast, In Stride on Ride iQ, U.S. 5 rider and Ride iQ coach Sinead Maynard sat down with her husband Tik Maynard to discuss horses’ love languages and how to utilize them for better understanding and connection. Tik Maynard, a 4 rider and 2024 Road to the Horse World Champion, shared his insights on how horses communicate and what motivates them to be our partners.
Just like humans, horses have love languages. According to Tik, a horse’s love languages include comfort, play, quality time, and food. Understanding these love languages can help us build a stronger bond with our equine partners and improve our communication with them.
The first love language discussed in the podcast is comfort. Just like little kids, horses seek comfort. They want to feel safe, heard, and respected. While horses can’t verbally communicate with us, it’s through observation of their physical and emotional cues that we can begin to understand where they find comfort.
When it comes to physical comfort, horses may seek attention through actions like rubbing their head against you or expressing a need for space and freedom. By paying attention to these cues and responding accordingly, we can show our horses that we care about their comfort and well-being.
Emotional comfort is another important aspect of a horse’s well-being. Horses, as herd-bound animals, may not like being alone and may require the presence of a companion to feel emotionally balanced. By being empathetic and patient with our horses, we can help them feel more comfortable and secure in their environment.
Respect is a key component of showing love and care to our horses. Tik emphasizes the importance of being present with our horses, noticing their likes and dislikes, and responding with empathy. By listening to our horses’ feedback and being open to trying new approaches, we can build a stronger connection with them and improve our relationship.
In conclusion, understanding and utilizing horses’ love languages can help us build a deeper bond with our equine partners. By paying attention to their cues, showing respect, and being present in the moment, we can create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship with our horses. So next time you’re with your horse, take a moment to observe and listen – you may be surprised by what they’re trying to tell you.
