Dr. Chris Mortensen, an experienced equine educator and researcher, takes listeners through the complexities and nuances of equine communication in this podcast episode of 'Mad About Horses'.
He explores the fascinating research related to wild equines, specifically the Somali wild ass, and their means of communication including body language, olfactory responses, and signals encoded in gene expression. He branches over to domestic horses and how they too communicate.
Dr. Mortensen further explains how horses can identify and respond to human emotions through vocal and physical expressions. He stresses the imperative need to understand
horses' communication tactics, not only for constructive training but also to ensure their well-being.
Dr. Mortensen concludes by emphasizing the importance of gentle touch and positive vocal interactions in our engagements with horses, which he supports with compelling scientific studies.
 
Podcast Timeline
00:00 Introduction and Studying the Somali Wild Ass
00:40 Chemical Communication in Horses
01:41 The Role of Smell in Mate Choice
04:16 Introduction to the Host and Podcast Topic
05:47 Understanding Horse Communication
08:00 The Importance of Communication in Horse-Human Relationships
09:11 Recommended Reading for Understanding Horse Behavior
11:22 Understanding Horse Body Language
21:23 Facial Expressions in Horses
29:22 Vocalizations in Horses
29:50 Understanding Equine Vocalization
31:25 The Study of Horse Whinnies
32:38 Exploring Different Types of Horse Sounds
40:15 The Influence of Human Vocalizations on Horses
42:10 Understanding Aggressive and Affiliative Touch in Horses
44:50 Can Horses Indicate Choice to Humans
48:13 The Importance of Chemical Communication in Horses
53:50 The Future of Understanding Horse Communication
54:20 Final Thoughts

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
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