For decades, horse training was built on the idea that horses are always trying to climb a social ladder – and that humans must act as the “alpha,” “lead mare,” or dominant persona to earn respect.
But research and science have made one thing very clear:
Dominance theory is outdated, inaccurate, and often harmful to horses.
If we want safer, calmer, more responsive horses, we need to understand what really drives their behaviour, and it’s not a desire to dominate.
Where Dominance Theory Came From
Dominance theory came from early interpretations of wild horse bands and captive horse groups. Trainers believed horses lived in strict linear hierarchies, ruled through force and “pecking-order” dynamics.
But newer, more detailed research tells a different story.
Studies on free-roaming and feral horses (McDonnell, 2003; van Dierendonck, 2006) show that:
Horses live in family groups, not dominance-based hierarchies
Social roles are fluid, not fixed
Leadership is often shared and context-specific
Aggression is rare –horses prefer avoidance, negotiation, and cooperation. They aim to minimise conflict.
Most interactions are affiliative, not competitive
Horses aren’t trying to control each other, and they’re definitely not trying to dominate humans.
Why the Dominance Theory Doesn’t Apply to Horse–Human Relationships
Horses do not view humans as members of their herd, nor do they understand our behaviour as equine. We don’t groom like them, graze like them, or behave like horses (hopefully).
So the idea that a human must “be the alpha” is scientifically incorrect.
When a horse:
pushes into your space
bites
refuses to move
bolts
kicks
pulls away
…it has nothing to do with dominance but maybe it has to do with fear, pain or confusion.
Why Dominance-Based Training Can Be Harmful
Many traditional methods i.e chasing a horse around the round pen, excessive pressure, deprivation, or intimidation, are based on the belief that the horse must “submit.”
Research shows these methods create:
Elevated stress hormones (Visser et al., 2001)
Reduced ability to learn (Søndergaard & Ladewig, 2004)
Reactive or explosive behaviour
Learned helplessness (Hall et al., 2008)
Damaged trust (Sankey et al., 2010)
What Really Drives Horse Behaviour
Modern (qualified) equine behaviourists focus on the underlying emotional state.
1. Pain and Physical Discomfort
Pain is one of the biggest contributors to “problem behaviour.”
Common sources include:
poorly fitting tack
dental pain
ulcers
back or sacroiliac pain
hoof imbalance
RER/PSSM
muscle tension
Studies show pain increases reactivity and defensiveness (Mills et al., 2020).
2. Fear and Stress
As prey animals, horses respond to threat with flight, tension, and avoidance, not attempts at dominance.
3. Confusion or Inconsistent Cues
If a horse doesn’t understand what’s being asked, it cannot comply. Confusion is often misinterpreted as “resistance.”
4. Reinforcement History
Horses repeat behaviours that work.
If pushing into a handler leads to release or movement, the horse learns to repeat it. (Not to try and dominate their handler!)
5. Biological Needs
Unmet needs; lack of turnout, limited forage, social isolation can all lead to frustration, tension, and unwanted behaviour.
None of these relates to dominance.
What Works Instead: Evidence-Based Training
Research supports humane, science-based training methods.
Positive Reinforcement (R+)
Studies show horses trained with positive reinforcement:
learn faster
retain information longer
show more positive affect
build strong voluntary relationships with humans
show less stress
(Sankey et al., 2010; Innes & McBride, 2008)
Non-escalating Negative Reinforcement
Pressure-and-release has a place- but only when used:
lightly
with excellent timing
- without fear or escalating force
Choice, Control, and Agency
Allowing a horse to choose, engage, explore, and communicate reduces stress and improves learning.
Welfare First
A horse cannot learn well if their basic health is not looked after.
Our horses deserve the best of what science offers – not outdated ideas that misunderstand what they are really trying to tell us.
References
Hall, C. et al. (2008). Learned helplessness in horses.
Innes & McBride (2008). Positive reinforcement learning in horses.
McDonnell (2003). The Equid Ethogram: A practical guide to horse behaviour.
Mills et al. (2020). Pain-related behaviour in companion animals.
Sankey et al. (2010). Positive reinforcement improves bonding in horses.
Søndergaard & Ladewig (2004). Stress and learning under aversive training methods in horses.
van Dierendonck (2006). Free-roaming horse social structures.
Visser et al. (2001). Physiological and behavioural responses to training in horses.
Looking for help from a qualified equine behaviourist?
At Gentled Animals, we’re here to help you and your horse live harmoniously, with understanding and kindness at the heart of every solution.