06/16/2024
Amazing Partners for our Volunteers and Clients!
Did you know? 🧠🐴
Despite what many sources say, the horse's brain is not hugely different from the human brain! Both brains share many of the same parts and chemicals. Here are a FEW key points:
Similarities:
🐴Both brains have similar structures like the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
🐴Neurotransmitters and hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline play crucial roles in both species.
🐴The hippocampus, involved in learning and memory, is crucial for both humans and horses. Both can only process a limited amount of information at a time and need to internalize and process this information, which is key in training.
🐴Just like humans who have experienced trauma, as well as adolescents, horses rely heavily on their amygdala. This brain region is crucial for processing emotions and survival instincts, often overriding the frontal lobes during stressful situations.
Differences:
🐎Horses rely more on their limbic system overall, which emphasizes their emotional and instinctual responses.
🐎Unlike humans, horses do not possess as developed frontal lobes for higher-order thinking. This difference does not imply malice or intent to "get one over" on their owners but rather underscores their reliance on instinctive and immediate responses.
🐎Horses learn strongly through emotion and association, forming deep connections based on their experiences and interactions.
While there are differences, it's fascinating to see just how much we have in common with these incredible animals! 🌟
