There are few stronger bonds between humans and animals than the relationship between hunters and their horses.
Equines have formed special bonds with humans throughout history, and that remains as important as ever.
That is especially the case when it comes to sports such as horse racing, with riders and horses working in unison to win Kentucky Derby prep races before lining up in the opening leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. But, what is the history of the enduring bond between hunters and horses?
Trusting One Another
The reliable connection between a hunter and their horse is built on trust, with hunters having to operate in challenging conditions, requiring their horse to show empathy and speed.
Equines will be tasked with navigating tricky obstacles such as fences and ditches, with the horse having to trust its rider to safely navigate the route to the other side.
The partnership only works if there is trust on both sides, requiring the rider to believe that their horse can overcome the challenges faced, and the equine believing that the rider has the navigation skills to get them to the other side.
Strong Communication
Hunting in the wild can often be a lonely place, but a relationship between a horse and hunter is essentially built on a strong connection. This is typically achieved in silence, with little noise being required in order to catch prey.
Therefore, horses will need to act on movements of their rider, whether that be a change in body weight or a simply tap on the side. This unspeakable bond is vitally important in the wild, and ensures the safety of both equine and hunter.
Shared Adventures
In the wild, there is nothing else that matters other than the relationship between a hunter and their horse. The relationship between a rider and an equine could take months or years to build up, but shared experiences and bonding through grooming helps form bonds.
One of the most rewarding aspects for both involved is being able to have shared adventures, giving both the horse and rider high adrenaline rushes.
Being able to work as part of a team on a journey will see the trust between both evolve, creating an unbreakable bond that they will have throughout their journeys in their attempts to achieve their goals.
Loyalty
There are few more loyal animals than horses, meaning that hunters that build up incredible bonds with their equines are able to get so much in return. Horses are incredibly social animals, meaning that they thrive when they are around somebody else.
Therefore, when trust is built up to a high level with their hunter, they typically want to stay by their side for as long as possible, ensuring that they spend as little time away from their rider as possible.
This loyalty is incredibly important in the wild, as riders will need to have the trust that their horse will not run away if they have to complete a task in private. However, newcomers will typically tie their horse to a tree to ensure that they don’t have a long walk ahead of them.
Healing Abilities
While hunters and horses will typically team up for more practical reasons, there are a huge number of benefits for humans to spend time around horses. Spending time with equines can release oxytocin, which will relieve stress and also provide emotional support to the rider.
This is a key reason why horse riding is being used more readily across the world to relieve PTSD. Equine therapy is proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels, and it allows those involved to heal past traumas without bringing up their issues.
Long-Lasting History
The relationship between hunters and horses is a long-lasting one, and it shows no sign of stopping in this modern era. The relationship dates back to The War Horse, where the survival of riders was dependent on their equine.
During this time, not only human, but also horses, had to display courage and loyalty to their rider. Horses and humans have a bond across a number of sectors and activities, whether that be hunting and therapy, or even in certain sports. Equestrian events such as dressage and show jumping also relies heavily on a partnership between animal and rider.
Meanwhile, while travelling at fast speeds and being bred to compete on track, racehorses are also incredibly loyal animals and also share the same traits of non-thoroughbreds. The worlds of hunting and racing also collide annually at the Cheltenham Festival, with the St. James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase being designated for riders and horses that hold a ‘Hunter Certificate’. The race is typically regarded as the amateurs Jockey Cup, giving inexperienced riders the chance to compete on a professional racecourse.
